Azeb

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from Arabic, literally ''unmarried'', meaning ''bachelor''), also known as Asappes or Asappi, were irregular soldiers, originally made up of unmarried youths.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

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. For instance, in the 13th century sources address existence of troops called azebs in the Beylik of Aydın.

According to Stein (2007), by the 14th 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. They usually comprised most of the garrison in smaller forts and palankas.

In the Ottoman Empire the main role of Azaps were fighting as infantry archers on front lines before the cannons and janissaries, 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.

Recruitment

Azebs were recruited in accordance with the '' kanunnames'' (law code) of the Suleiman 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. In the late 16th century all Muslim men could enlist.

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''.'

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.

See also

*Akinci
*Seymen

Footnotes

References

Bibliography

*
*{{Cite book, last=Hegyi, first=Klára, title=The Ottoman Military Organization in Hungary: Fortresses, Fortress Garrisons and Finances, publisher=, year=2018, isbn=978-3-87997-467-2, location=, pages=

Military units and formations of the Ottoman Empire
Infantry units and formations
Irregular units and formations