The Terror Of The Mediterranean
Pirates have long captured the imagination. The thrills of a swashbuckling adventure have been memorialized on the big screen time and time again. Few, however, know the story of the Dread Pirate Barbarossa, the terror of the Mediterranean.
Humble Beginnings
Hayreddin Barbarossa was born on the Greek island of Lesbos. He was the son of a Christian renegade who had joined the Ottoman Empire—but Barbarossa would not let this hold him back.
Fine Art Museum - Algiers, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Humble Beginnings
Barbarossa did not come up with the idea of taking to the sea on his own. Turns out, he was following in the footsteps of his brother, Oruç.
Johann Theodor de Bry, Wikimedia Commons
Humble Beginnings
Oruç was on board a ship in 1503 when it was surprised by the Knights of Hospitaller, a Christian order based on the island of Rhodes. This one moment would have a dreadful effect on Oruç’s life—and impact Barbarossa’s, too.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Humble Beginnings
As a result of this attack, Oruç was captured and spent the next two years of his life as a galley prisoner on one of the knights’ ships. He eventually escaped, and that was when Barbarossa’s adventure began.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
The Pirate Brothers
Having escaped, Oruç reunited with his brother and the pair settled on the island of Djerba, off the coast of Tunisia. Djerba was a den for pirates and corsairs. The brothers saw no reason not to join them.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
The Pirate Brothers
It was not long before the brothers realized that piracy suited them. Their attacks on Christian ships brought them huge amounts of loot. It also attracted the attention of others.
Ignatius Lux (print maker), Wikimedia Commons
The Pirate Brothers
They caught the attention of the Emir of Algiers. Seeing an opportunity to expand their power, the brothers joined forces with the Emir, and their power only grew.
Louvre Museum, Wikimedia Commons
The Pirate Brothers
With the influence of Algiers, the brothers commanded a fleet of a dozen ships. With these ships, they would attack Spanish strongholds in North Africa—but the high rewards also came with high risk.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
The Pirate Brothers
It was while they were attacking Spanish fleets, that the brothers saw a significant loss. Oruç caught a shot from an early form of musket that resulted in the loss of his arm. That didn’t stop him from dreaming.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Bigger Dreams
Oruç was no longer satisfied with being merely a pirate. He wanted to rule his own North African kingdom. He was going to take the opportunity to do so when it came—and Barbarossa went along for the ride.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Bigger Dreams
In 1516, the Emir of Algiers made a costly mistake. He asked Oruç to help expel Spanish forces from a neighboring Peñón of Algiers. Oruç decided that he’d rather just take power for himself.
Georg Braun, Wikimedia Commons
His Brother The Sultan
Not long after asking Oruç for help, tragedy struck the Emir. He drowned while having his daily bath. Oruç did not waste time in establishing rule in the city of Algiers, proclaiming himself Sultan. But he wasn’t done.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
His Brother The Sultan
Oruç swiftly expanded his reach, capturing two more Algerian cities. His new nation now defied the authority of King Charles of Spain—which would not be stood for. Retribution from Spain was swift.
By 1518, they had sent a fleet and stormed Oruç’s territory. Although he tried to flee, the Spanish caught and beheaded him. Barbarossa was now on his own.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Barbarossa And The Spanish
This retribution left a vacuum of leadership in Algiers, which Barbarossa stepped into. However, he still had the Spanish to deal with. This is when Barbarossa’s sharp mind came forward.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Barbarossa And The Spanish
Barbarossa did not have the power to defy the Spanish, so he turned to those who could. He reached out to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Süleyman the Magnificent. Süleyman helped him—for a cost.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Barbarossa And The Spanish
Süleyman sent Barbarossa 2,000 men from the Ottoman’s elite forces. In return, Algiers became a district of the Ottoman Empire. This was a price that Barbarossa was willing to pay.
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wikimedia Commons
Barbarossa And The Spanish
Barbarossa was pleased with this arrangement. Unlike his brother, he did not need ultimate control. By becoming part of the Ottoman Empire, Barbarossa was free to continue his piracy and conquer additional strongholds.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Barbarossa And The Spanish
Unfortunately, the Spanish still occupied Peñón of Algiers, a short way away. They continued to be a problem—but Barbarossa did not mind getting his hands dirty.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Barbarossa And The Spanish
In 1529, Barbarossa took care of the Spanish occupation in Peñón of Algiers. He bombarded the garrison into surrender. Then for good measure, he beat their commander until the man died. His fame was growing.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Barbarossa’s Cleverness
Other corsairs flocked to Algiers to try to make their fortunes. However, Barbarossa was willing to fight for politics just as much as he was willing to fight for fortune.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Barbarossa’s Cleverness
Barbarossa understood that you did not always need to fight your way to power. When Süleyman summoned Barbarossa to aid him in retrieving captured ports, he didn’t just respond; he made sure he was in Süleyman’s good favor.
Ali. Amir Beg Shirwani, Wikimedia Commons
Barbarossa’s Cleverness
Barbarossa sent Süleyman ships filled with riches that a sultan could appreciate. Süleyman was so pleased with these favors, he made Barbarossa admiral in chief of the Ottoman fleet. Barbarossa now had the power of an empire.
Matrakçı Nasuh, Wikimedia Commons
The Terror Of Barbarossa
Now backed by the power of the Ottoman Empire, Barbarossa began to terrorize the Mediterranean. He ravaged the Italian coast, leaving fear in his wake.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
The Terror Of Barbarossa
Near Naples, the Countess Giulia Gonzaga caught Barbarossa’s eye. He and his men attempted to capture the famously beautiful woman and deliver her to the Sultan for his harem. She escaped but just barely. No one was safe from Barbarossa, not even Rome.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
The Terror Of Barbarossa
In Rome, Pope Clement VII was abandoned by his cardinals, despite being close to the end when Barbarossa came to town. They fled after plundering the papal treasury. Yet even his was a distraction.
The Terror Of Barbarossa
During this entire reign of terror, Barbarossa had one location in mind: He wanted Tunis. In 1534, he took the port by surprise. He got what he wanted, but he wouldn’t be able to keep it.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Barbarossa And Tunis
Barbarossa was only able to hold onto Tunis for a year. Charles V of Spain sent a mighty fleet that could rival Barbarossa’s. He lost Tunis after a week-long siege. He returned to Algiers but did not admit defeat.
Barbarossa’s Revenge
Barbarossa set out onto the Mediterranean once more. He approached the Spanish island of Minorca, hoisting flags he’d captured from Spain’s fleet the year before as cover. The Spanish never realized what they were letting into their port.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Barbarossa’s Revenge
By the time the small garrison that existed on the island realized their mistake, it was too late. They attempted defense but were ultimately forced to surrender on the promise that their lives and property would be spared. They didn’t know who they were dealing with.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Barbarossa’s Revenge
Barbarossa graciously accepted their surrender, only to back out on his promise immediately. His men sacked the city, taking hundreds of people to sell across the Ottoman Empire. Barbarossa’s power was unmatched.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
The Power Of Barbarossa
In the years that followed his sacking of Minorca, Barbarossa continued to terrorize the Christian coastline of the Mediterranean. He would go on to defeat fleets with more power than his, including one led by Charles V himself.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Welcoming Barbarossa
While his enemies were terrified of Barbarossa, he was considered a hero by those who were aligned with his interests. This included both the Ottoman Empire and France.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Welcoming Barbarossa
At this time, both the Ottoman Empire and France considered Charles V and Spain an enemy. As such, France and the Ottoman Empire had allied. This suited Barbarossa.
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Welcoming Barbarossa
Once Barbarossa had finished decimating the Italian coastline, he sailed into the ports of Marseille and Toulon. The French welcomed him with every honor worthy of a hero.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Welcoming Barbarossa
Barbarossa and his fleet remained in France for some time. From there, some members of his fleet sailed towards the Spanish coast, sacking towns and cities that existed there. However, even a power like Barbarossa’s does not last forever.
TRT 1, Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan's Decree (2022-23)
Barbarossa The Hero
After years of terrorizing the Mediterranean, Barbarossa retired from the sea in 1545. He returned to Istanbul where he spent the last year of his life.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Barbarossa The Hero
The last year of Barbarossa’s life was likely the most peaceful one that he lived. After living a life of blood and power, Barbarossa spent his last year living quietly, dictating his memoirs.
Agostino Veneziano, Wikimedia Commons
Honoring Barbarossa
On July 4th, 1546, the Mediterranean could finally say they were safe from the terror of Barbarossa once and for all. He passed peacefully and was buried in Istanbul in the Barbaros Türbesi, the mausoleum of Barbarossa.
Honoring Barbarossa
The tomb was created by Mimar Sinan, a celebrated figure, and it still stands today. Visitors can find it in the modern district of Besiktas, on the European bank of the Bosporus.
Darwinek, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Honoring Barbarossa
Barbarossa’s memory would live on for a long time. For years, no Turkish ship left Istanbul without giving his grave an honorary salute. He was the country's most feared sailor, and they honored him, even once he was gone.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean (2021-22)
Honoring Barbarossa
If you’re lucky, you can still find his epitaph. It reads: “[This is the tomb] of the conqueror of Algiers and Tunis, the fervent Islam soldier of God, the Capudan Khair-ed-Deen [Barbarossa,] upon whom may the protection of God repose”.
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Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wikimedia Commons
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