Islam. They were brought up in the Janissary camp from about the age of 5. They were trained to be fearsome warriors, although some were trained to be administrators. Most of the Janissary soldiers were in the cavalry. The cavalry was one of the main keys to the Ottoman’s many victories. The Janissary Corp’s soldiers were paid with a regular salary now that the country was established and taxes were collected. “Orhan’s [son of Osman, the founder of the Ottoman Empire] capture of Bursa in 1324 provided the first means for developing the administrative, financial, and military power necessary to make this principality into a real state and create an army” ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 773). The Janissary Corps were the most awesome force that Europe had contended with for centuries. They were the most fearsome fighters to attack Europe since Gengis Khan’s Golden Hordes. They fought like well trained animals. “Orhan soon was able to capture the remaining Byzantine towns in north- western Antola: Iznik(1331), Izmit(1337), and Uskudar(1338)” (J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 771). -3- “Murad conquered Thorace, northwest of Constantinople in 1361. He moved the capital to Adrianople” ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 772). The Ottomans were not always expanding by means of war and conquest. They also gained territory through marriage and purchases. “Bayezed extended the empire in Europe and added outposts along the Black Sea” ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 773). The Ottomans became more powerful and now they added an artillery branch to their Janissary training. “Murad then inaugurated the First Venetian Ottoman War (1423-30) ... Venice moreover accepted Solonica to prevent further Ottoman expansion” ( J. F. von Hamer-Pugstall 773). Murad had been warning Venice that if it didn’t give up Solonica to the Ottomans, it would be forced to go to war with them. Venice at the time ha...
