The Mussulman Empire: The Rise Of The Ottoman Empire

The emergence of gunpowder and the ability to create increasingly more accurate firearms in the Middle East and Europe in the fifteenth century sparked the growth of two highly militant empires. The Habsburgs, hailing mostly from the Iberian Peninsula, fully began to rise when Charles V inherited Spain, American territories, western Mediterranean territories, and Austria from his parents. The Ottoman Empire had its humble beginnings as a nomadic group; however, it later became a force to be reckoned with upon the capture of Constantinople (now Istanbul). Since these two emerging empires were in close proximity, military dominance was a necessity. The Ottomans were rightfully feared for their military due to their strict training regulations

The sons of Christian subjects were organized by the protogeros and eventually chosen to be soldiers by prominent qualities, as well as the requirement of the children to be above the age of seven. After being chosen, they were eventually divided into two different classes. Those who were sent to Anatolia were “trained to agricultural labor, and instructed in the Mussulman faith” or employed in public buildings, gardens, or boats. The others were placed in seraglios, where they learned to read and write. Those in the first group, who had been subject to hard labor, became Janissaries. The others, who were taught in seraglios, became officials of the state. The advantage of having these positions filled by captives is that it ties the sultan to the cities that have been captured. Since the Janissaries are indoctrinated into the Ottoman beliefs at an early age, it is likely that their original family bonds have been completely forgotten or abandoned in the first place. The person whom this account came from was likely either of elite status at the time, or had a personal experience in the Janissaries’ training, simply recording the events that occur during the training of these young soldiers. Once one understands the meticulous training these slave armies had experienced, one might understand why the army instilled fear in neighboring