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ArujTurkish pirate
Country:
 Turkey |
Content:
- Early Life and Family
- Early Maritime Career
- Captivity and Escape
- Hızır learned of his brother's plight and orchestrated his escape.
- Alliance with Muslim Corsairs
- Conquest of Algiers
- Alliance with the Ottoman Empire
- Siege of Tlemcen and Death
- Legacy
Early Life and Family
The exact birth date of Oruç Reis, known as Barbarossa, the infamous Turkish pirate who ruled Algiers, remains a mystery. Historical sources estimate his birth around 1474 on the island of Lesbos, Greece. His ethnic origins are also disputed, with various sources attributing him either Greek or Turkish ancestry.
Oruç's father, Yakup Ağa, played a role in the Genoese conquest of Lesbos and was rewarded with a village's ownership. Yakup married a local Greek woman, and together they had six children: four sons (Oruç, Ilyas, Hızır, and İshak) and two daughters.
Early Maritime Career
Yakup pursued pottery, and his sons assisted him. Oruç managed the family boat, selling their wares. The brothers became skilled sailors, with Oruç being the first to pursue maritime ventures. He was joined by his younger brother, Ilyas, and eventually Hızır, who initially focused on pottery. İshak, the eldest brother, managed the family's finances.
Oruç, Hızır, and Ilyas transitioned from simple sailors to privateers, sanctioned by the authorities. They targeted the Knights of St. John, who operated from the Island of Rhodes. Oruç and Ilyas sailed between Anatolia, Syria, and Egypt, while Hızır operated in the Aegean Sea.
Captivity and Escape
Despite his initial success, Oruç faced misfortune when his ship encountered a Knights' vessel near Tripoli. In the ensuing battle, Oruç was severely wounded, and Ilyas was killed. Their ship was seized, and Oruç was imprisoned in one of the Order's castles for three years.
Hızır learned of his brother's plight and orchestrated his escape.
Rise as a PirateUpon his release, Oruç sought aid from Shehzade Korkud, an Ottoman prince and governor in Antalya. Korkud provided him with 18 ships to combat the Knights of St. John, who hindered trade and shipping. Oruç excelled in his mission, but when Korkud fled to Egypt, Oruç followed suit.
In 1503, Oruç established a base on the island of Djerba, expanding his fleet. In 1504, he and Hızır secured support from the sultan of Tunis, who offered protection in exchange for a portion of their booty. They captured several vessels, including a warship carrying Spanish soldiers and knights.
Alliance with Muslim Corsairs
Oruç's reputation attracted other renowned Muslim corsairs, such as Curtogoli. They sailed to Sicily in 1510, repelling a Spanish attack on Bougie, Oran, and Algiers. In 1512, Bougie faced another attack, and Oruç lost his left arm in its defense. He commissioned a silver prosthetic hand, earning him the nickname "Gümüş Kol" (Silver Hand).
Conquest of Algiers
Oruç's ambitions outgrew mere piracy. In 1516, he and his brothers liberated Algiers and Jijel from Spanish control, deposing their ruler and seizing power. The Spaniards sought help from Charles V, but their fleet failed to recapture Algiers. Oruç rebuilt his forces and proclaimed himself the new sultan.
He expanded his territory, annexing Miliana, Medea, and Ténès. Oruç's conquest of North African deserts involved attaching sails to cannons.
Alliance with the Ottoman Empire
Recognizing the limitations of his resources, Oruç ceded Algiers to the Ottoman Sultan in 1517. It became an imperial province, and Oruç received the title of Bey (governor) along with military support.
Siege of Tlemcen and Death
Despite the Ottoman alliance, Spain remained intent on retaking Algiers. They enlisted the help of Abu Zayan, promising him Tlemcen and Oran. Oruç, however, discovered the plot and attacked first, capturing Tlemcen and executing Abu Zayan.
In May 1518, Charles V and his army, joined by Diego de Córdoba, Buhammud (Abu Zayan's escaped relative), and a large Bedouin force, besieged Tlemcen. Oruç and İshak defended valiantly for 20 days before succumbing to the Spanish.
Legacy
Oruç left a lasting legacy, carried forward by his brother, Hızır. His nickname, "Barbarossa" (Red Beard), became synonymous with the Barbary pirates. However, it is often mistakenly attributed to other Barbary pirates: his brother, Hızır, and Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire.
