Janissary

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The Janissaries (Ottoman Turkish: Yeniçeri, English: New soldiers) were specially trained elite soldiers of the Ottoman Empire, serving as the private guard to the Sultan.

History

Formation

Janissaries, created by Sultan Murad I, were young Christian boys from conquered countries (commonly Greek), who were converted to Islam and levied into the Devshirme system (or the "Collection of Children"). They were also nicknamed "slave soldiers", because of their method of capture. The strongest of the children were usually chosen to become Janissaries, whereas the more intelligent ones would become scientists or architects.

The Janissaries became the Ottoman Empire's first standing army, and were required to learn and convert to Islam. This elite sect of soldiers were also the mainstay of the Ottoman army during the 1453 invasion of Constantinople, led by Sultan Mehmet II. They were essentially infantry units that formed the Sultan's household troops and bodyguard. However, after the 17th Century, they began to falter in importance and strength until they were eventually abolished by Sultan Mahmud II in 1826, as a result of the Auspicious Incident.

16th Century

File:Eziojanissary.jpg

Ezio in combat with the Janissaries.

During Ezio Auditore da Firenze's time in Constantinople, the Janissaries were widely feared by civilians and were prone to mistreating them. Ezio used this to his advantage by paying heralds to incite a riot in the Harbor of Theodosius, enabling him to sneak into the harbor and spy on a meeting between their commanding officer Tarik Barleti and the Byzantines Manuel Palaiologos and Shahkulu.

Under Prince Suleiman's orders, Ezio lured a Janissary into a hiding spot and killed him, then took his clothes in order to infiltrate the Janissary camp in the Constantine District. When Ezio assassinated Tarik, he discovered that he was not a traitor, merely secretly trying to infiltrate the Byzantine Templars. After Ezio escaped, the Janissaries began patrolling all of Constantinople and raised the Great Chain to prevent his departure.

However, this ultimately failed, as Ezio destroyed the Great Chain with an explosive bomb, and sank the ships blockading the Golden Horn by spraying them with Greek Fire. He then left Constantinople for Derinkuyu on a chartered ship. When he returned, the Janissaries were on high alert and declared a warrant for his capture.

Statistics

Health Points	Strength	Morale	Melee Weapon	Ranged Weapon
84	7	2,000	One-handed sword or mace	Firearm

Trivia

• Janissaries cannot be instantly killed by counter-attacks and execution streaks from full health. However, they still take damage whenever one of the two is performed.
  • Despite Janissaries not being initially vulnerable to execution streaks, combo chains can still be continued by attacking another guard, and can be started on one by Counter-Stealing from them instead.
• Like Almogavars, all Janissaries wield the same sword: the Janissary Kijil.
• In most occasions, if you are lacking lethal or tactical bombs, looting or stealing from Janissaries will give Ezio splinter or caltrop bombs.
• Janissaries are very resistant to gunfire, but are easily killed by bombs and poison darts/poison blade.
• In the novel the Janissaries are depicted as wearing white armour rather than green.
• Janissaries are faster than Ezio, and can climb onto most buildings, making them difficult to escape from.

Gallery

• 
  Concept artwork of the Janissaries.
• 
  The database image of the Janissaries.
• 
  Concept of Ezio entering a Janissary camp.
• A group of Janissaries in Constantinople.
  A group of Janissaries in Constantinople.
• A Janissary fights Ezio Auditore.
  A Janissary fights Ezio Auditore.
• 
  Overview of the Jannisary camp.
• 
  Entrance of the Janissary camp.