Janissaries

Definition

The Janissaries were an elite military group in the Ottoman Empire, made up of Christian boys who were taken from their homes, converted to Islam, and trained to serve the sultan.

Analogy

Think of the Janissaries as a sort of "special forces" team for the Ottoman Empire. They're like a high school football team that only recruits the best players from other schools, trains them rigorously, and then uses them to dominate on the field.

Related terms

Devshirme System: This was the system by which Christian boys were recruited into service for the Ottoman Empire. It's like a draft system where only certain individuals are selected.

Ottoman Empire: A vast empire based in modern-day Turkey that lasted from 1299 to 1922. It's like a long-running TV show with many seasons and episodes.

Sultan: The ruler of the Ottoman Empire. Imagine him as CEO of a major corporation - he's got ultimate power over how things run.