Gedik Ahmed Pasha facts for kids

Gedik Ahmed Pasha was an important leader in the Ottoman Empire. He was a top government official and a great admiral, meaning he commanded the navy. He served under two powerful sultans, Mehmed II and Bayezid II. He passed away on November 18, 1482.

Early Life and Background

We don't know much about Gedik Ahmed Pasha's early life. Historians once thought he might have been from Serbia or Albania. Some even believed he was related to a Greek royal family.

However, new research in Ottoman records shows he was from a local Serbian noble family. He was born in a village called Punoševce in southeastern Serbia.

Military Achievements

Gedik Ahmed Pasha was a very successful military commander. He led the Ottoman Army in many important battles.

Conquering the Karamanids

One of his biggest victories was against the Karamanids in 1471. The Karamanids were a strong principality (a small state ruled by a prince) in Anatolia. They had been powerful for almost 200 years.

Gedik Ahmed Pasha defeated them and took over their lands. This included the city of Konya, which was once the capital of the Selçuk kingdom. This victory was very important for the Ottomans. It helped them expand their empire and become even stronger.

Campaigns in Crimea

In 1475, Sultan Mehmed II sent Gedik Ahmed Pasha to help the Crimean Khanate. They were fighting against forces from Genoa.

In Crimea, he captured several Genoese castles like Caffa and Soldaia. He also took over the Principality of Theodoro and its capital, Mangup. He even rescued the Khan of Crimea, Meñli I Giray, from Genoese forces. Because of his actions, Crimea and the surrounding areas became part of the Ottoman Empire's influence.

Battles in the Mediterranean

Gedik Ahmed Pasha also fought against the Venetians in the Mediterranean. In 1479, he led a large army to besiege Shkodra.

Later that year, Sultan Mehmed II ordered him to lead the Ottoman Navy. He sailed to fight against the kingdoms of Naples and Milan. During this campaign, he captured the islands of Santa Maura (Lefkada), Kefalonia, and Zante (Zakynthos).

Invasion of Otranto

Sultan Mehmed II wanted to reunite the old Roman lands under Ottoman rule. He saw himself as the heir to the Roman Empire. As part of this plan, Gedik Ahmed Pasha led a naval force to Italy.

After trying to conquer Rhodes from the Knights of St. John without success, Ahmed Pasha successfully captured the Italian city of Otranto in 1480. However, his troops ran low on food and supplies. He had to return to Albania that same year, planning to continue the fight in 1481.

Later Life and Death

Sultan Mehmed II passed away before Gedik Ahmed Pasha could return to Italy. After the Sultan's death, there was a struggle for who would rule next. Gedik Ahmed Pasha supported Bayezid II to become the new sultan.

However, Bayezid II did not fully trust Ahmed Pasha. He had him put in prison and later ordered his death on November 18, 1482.

See also

• Ottoman invasion of Otranto
• Ottoman Navy
• List of Ottoman grand viziers
• List of Kapudan Pashas