Azeb

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An archer of the Turkish Galleys - Azab
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Azebs, azabs or azaps (Ottoman Turkish: عزب‎, from Arabic, literally unmarried, meaning bachelor), also known as Asappes or Asappi, were irregular soldiers, originally made up of unmarried youths. They were consripted among reayas and served in various roles in the early Ottoman army.[1][2][3] The word azeb either often indicates an light infantry soldier which was called yaya azeb or a marine soldier which was called bahriye (navy) and deniz (sea) azeb.[2] The term was used in the sense of "pirate" or "buccaneer" in Byzantine, Latin and Italian sources from 14th to 16th century.[4]

An azeb holding a gun with his left hand and carrying a sabre with his right hand

History[]

Azebs were originally an auxiliary infantry unit harkening back to Anatolian beyliks that became independent from the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate. In the maritime beyliks they also served as naval units.[5] For instance, in the 13th century sources address existence of troops called azebs in the Beylik of Aydın.[2]

According to Stein (2007), by the 14th[a] century azebs garnisoned in strongholds were called kale (fortress) azebs. Azebs in fortresses had duties such as building bridges, working as sappers and doing the job of armorers, especially after conscription of devshirme armorers stopped.[6] They usually comprised most of the garrison in smaller forts and palankas.[2][5]

In the Ottoman Empire the main role of Azaps were fighting as infantry archers on front lines before the cannons and janissaries,[2] After azebs slowed down the initial enemy charge, they would withdraw to left and right, and let the Ottoman cannons and janissaries fire at them.[7]

Recruitment[]

An azeb carrying a saber, which is attached to his belt, and a bow around his neck along with a quiver under his left arm.

Azebs were recruited in accordance with the kanunnames (law code) of the Sulemian I. Kadıs oversaw draft of the azebs at a local level, called sancak. One man was levied from every 20-30 households whilst others supported him financially. The azaps were initially only recruited from Anatolian Turks, and, then Rumelia. Azebs garrisoned in forts were regularly paid.[8][2] In the late 16th century all Muslim men could enlist.[citation needed]

Organization[]

Their official name -as generally appeared in pay lists- was rüesa ve azeban. The word reis (in plural rüesa) referred to head or captain of a ship in maritime or chief of a medium-sized unit consisting of kale azebs. Kale azebs were divided into ağalıks which were commanded by ağas and their aides kethüdas. These were subdivided into cemaats or riayets (a company consisting of 3 or 4 squads) which were led by reises.[9]

Equipments[]

As volunteers the azaps had a wide range of weaponry. These include pole arms, such as the tirpan (war scythe) and harba as well as balta (halberd). In addition to pole arms they were armed with a variety of maces, bows, sabers and to a rarer extent crossbows. Later on guns were adopted instead. Azebs also wore red börks, a felt hat like the ones worn by janissaries but in different colours.[2]

See also[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ Other sources state that kale azebs emerged in the 15th[5] or 16th[6] century.

References[]

  1. ^ Áoston, Gábor; Masters, Bruce Alan (21 May 2010). Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire. Infobase Publishing. p. 616. ISBN 978-1-4381-1025-7.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Stein, Mark L. (2007). Guarding the Ottoman Frontiers. Tauris Academic Stuides. pp. 75–78.
  3. ^ Káldy-Nagy, Gyula (1977). "The First Centuries of the Ottoman Military Organiziation". Acta Orientalia Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. 31 (2): 147–183. ISSN 0001-6446.
  4. ^ "Azeb". TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Hegyi 2018, p. 134–137.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Akto, Deniz Armağan. "Ottoman Fortresses and Garrisons in the Hungary and Eastern Frontiers (1578-1664)" (PDF). p. 55. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  7. ^ Nicolle 1983, p. 13.
  8. ^ Nicolle 1983, p. 32.
  9. ^ Hegyi 2018, p. 134-137.

Bibliography[]

  • Nicolle, David (1983). Armies of the Ottoman Turks 1300-1774. Osprey Publishing.
  • Hegyi, Klára (2018). The Ottoman Military Organization in Hungary: Fortresses, Fortress Garrisons and Finances. ISBN 978-3-87997-467-2.
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