A look at some of the historical figures presented in this book

by Sarah Macedo

Report IntroductionI decided to read Empires of the Sea because it looks at the 16th century in the Mediterranean, a section of history I had not previously studied. It provides incite about what other challenges Spain and Portugal were facing at the time when Colonialization in the Americas was just beginning. It helped me put my previous knowledge of the era in perspective with the broader picture of history for the time period and reminds me that countries and events are not isolated from one another. Even though I have taken several history classes in the past, this text introduced me to several historical figures I was not familiar with before. The six I have chosen to outline here were those new to me whose stories and influences especially caught my attention.

Mehmet II (“Mehmet the Conqueror”)

He was a “ruthless” [pg. 88] Ottoman ruler who strove to create a world empire founded in a single faith (Islam) [pg. xiv].

Mehmet II gained territory by expanding overseas (in spite of the Ottoman nomadic lifestyle) and utilized the ancient Greek map by Ptolemy to gain a sense of the Mediterranean in order to plan his conquests [pg. xv].

He was able to conquer Constantinople, a much desired city, in 1453 from the Christians. However, the Christians still had control over territory in the Aegean Sea limiting Mehmet’s ability to expand throughout the Mediterranean and contributed to his failed attempt in 1480 to gain control of Rhodes (pg. 6).

His great-grandson, Suleiman the Magnificent, continued upon his legacy in the conquest of the Mediterranean as discussed in this book [pg. xvii].

“Philip de L’Isle Adam, Grand Master of the Island of

Rhodes” (pg. 3)Although he was a French aristocrat, he was the leader of Rhodes against Suleiman’s conquest because of his position as the grand master of the Order of Saint John [pgs. 8-9]. Rhodes was attacked because they terrorized Turkish ships and enslaved the Ottoman sailors and traders enabled by their central trading location [pg. 8].

He faced the Ottoman Empire’s attack outnumbered and lacking aid of other Christian countries [pg. 9]. He faced this situation by avoiding a complete count of his own men in order to elude low moral and a feeling of hopelessness [pg. 10]. Rhodes was also equipped with the most technologically advanced defense system designed by Italian Engineers [pg. 12].

After devastating losses to both sides, L’Isle Adam eventually signed a treaty with Suleiman acknowledging the terms for the Christian defeat [pg. 20].

Even after the Knights of Saint John were banished from Rhodes as outlined in the treaty, L’Isle Adam continued as their leader and actively searched for a new location for the Knights to reside. Charles V eventually gave them the island of Malta in return for their protection of his fort at Tripoli [pg. 43].

Oruch “The Barbbarossa” (pg. 27) Oruch was an Ottoman seaman who had been enslaved at Rhodes in a conflict that killed one of his brothers. He was forced into manual labor in the Christian fortifications for the island [pgs. 12, 27]. Having been born to an Ottoman father and a Greek Christian mother, his devotion to Islam was cemented after the cruel treatment he experienced under the Christians [pg. 27].

After swimming away in an escape from slavery, he joined with his brother, Hizir, and formed a piracy group settled in Djerba against Christian towns and merchants. The brothers achieved great infamy and became legends during their lifetime as the Ottoman Robin Hood figure to one side and the personification of fear and terror to the other. The brothers encouraged the myths and reveled in the fear they were inflicting on the Christians [pgs. 27-29.]

Oruch achieved more than piracy and began taking over territory in Africa. This threatened the Spanish empire which strove to eliminate Oruch’s power. This conflict resulted only in the loss of an arm that he replaced with a silver one [pgs. 30-31]. He eventually was killed under Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire in Tlemcen and his arm was used as a trophy to signify his defeat. The victory proved hollow, however, because Spain still did not have control over northern Africa and Oruch’s brother Hizir stepped forward to continue his brother’s works [pgs. 31-32]. Furthermore, his death also prompted the Spanish decline in Maghreb fortunes [pg. 36.]

Jérome MaurandMaurand was a French priest who sailed with Hayrettin (previously called Hizir) Barbarossa as a diplomat. Throughout his journey, he wrote of the geography he passed as well as Barbarossa’s interactions with the Christian towns they encountered.

His works are interesting because they provide the Christian first hand view of Barbarossa’s enslavement of Christians and destruction of their towns (of course his bias towards Christianity is something to keep in mind when reading his observations) [pg. 68].

Maurand’s writings illustrate how the civilians were the ones suffering in the war between Charles V and Barbarossa. He writes of Christians drowning, being beaten, being cut open, and marching into enslavement with their churches and tombs destroyed at the hands of Barbarossa at places like Lipari and Port’Ercole [pgs. 68-70]. Such actions mirror the devastations the Ottomans were suffering at the hand of the Christians as seen at Tunis.

Maurand also witnessed the sieges between the Knights and Turkish people resulting in devastation to both groups [pgs. 74-75].

Jérome Maurand’s writings about his voyage to

Constantinople.

Pasha Ibrahim Ibrahim was the Grand Vizier for Suleiman and promoted the idea of having one single empire on Earth just as “there is only one God in heaven” in preparation of the end of the world that was predicted by both Christians (15th millennia anniversary of Christ’s persecution) and the Muslims (10th century of Islam). The discussion of having one global empire as promoted by Ibrahim (as well as others on the Ottoman and Spanish sides) is especially interesting in the context of the 2012 and the End of the World book we read earlier this semester because it emphasizes the European obsession with Millennial predictions and how such thoughts influence their interactions with others and their desire for imperialism [pg. 45].

Ibrahim also played a part in Suleiman’s military decisions, such as appointing Hayrettin Barbarossa (who was briefly discussed on earlier slides) as the sultan’s admiral [pg. 48].

Unfortunately, Ibrahim’s strong influence on the sultan’s decisions resulted in his own untimely death at the hands of the executioner supported by Suleiman’s wife. His death was used as an example for other viziers who might be inclined to overstep their boundaries in regards to the sultan’s power [pg. 59].

Marco Querini

Querini was a commander in Crete who helped lead a surprise attack against the Ottomans. His actions would not only strengthen the reputation of Venetians in the eyes of the Ottoman Empire but also inspire its own people [pgs. 224-225].

His plan began on the Islamic holiday of Ramadan with four sailing ships and a dozen galleys sailing into the Ottoman port. He intentionally allowed one group of galleys to be spotted in order to surprise the Ottoman fleet with his own sailing ships [pg. 225].

Once on land, Querini lead a path of destruction through the Ottoman territory for three weeks before departing and leaving Bragadin and Baglione in charge of those left behind with hajj pilgrims as hostages. [pg. 225].

The image to the left is of the Battle of Lepanto, a sixteenth century battle between the Ottoman Empire and Christians that occurred later the same year as the conflict described below.

Works CitedCrowley, Roger. Empires of the Sea: the Siege of Malta, the Battle of Lepanto, and the Contest for the Center of the World. New York: Random House, 2008. Print.

Restall, Matthew. 2012 and the End of the World: The Western Roots of the Maya Apocalypse. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2011. E-book.

Picture BibliographySlide 1:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/empires-of-the-sea-roger-crowley/1101126127

Slide 3: http://snailstales.blogspot.com/2006/05/anatolian-toponymy-2-from.html

Slide 4: http://images.library.yale.edu/sh2/results.asp?room=Gallery

Slide 5: http://jellybeanweirdo.blogspot.com/2009/07/barbarossa-1.html

Slide 6: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jerome_Maurand_Itineraire_d_Antibes_a_Constantinonple_1544.jpg

Slide 7: http://s9.invisionfree.com/1578/ar/t19.htm

Slide 8: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_Lepanto_1571.jpg