Murat Reis the Elder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Murat Reis the Elder
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|
|---|---|
| Born | 1534 |
| Died | 1609 (aged 74–75) |
| Allegiance |  Ottoman Empire |
| Service/ |
Ottoman Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Preveza Ottoman conquest of Cyprus |
Murat Reis the Elder (also known as Koca Murat Reis in Turkish) was a famous Ottoman admiral and privateer. He was born around 1534 and passed away in 1609. He is remembered as one of the most important Barbary corsairs, who were sailors operating from North Africa.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Murat Reis was born on the island of Rhodes in 1534. His family was Albanian. He started his career at a very young age. He joined the crew of another famous sailor, Turgut Reis. He also sailed with Piri Reis on several trips.
In 1534, Murat Reis went with Hayreddin Barbarossa Pasha to Constantinople. There, they met Suleiman I, the Ottoman Sultan. The Sultan put them in charge of the Ottoman fleet. While in Constantinople, Murat Reis helped build new warships. These ships were made at the naval shipyard on the Golden Horn.
The Battle of Preveza
Murat Reis took part in all of Turgut Reis's early naval battles. In September 1538, he had an important job. He had to stop the ships of the Holy League from landing at Preveza. The Holy League was led by Andrea Doria. Murat Reis successfully pushed them away from the shore.
On September 28, he joined the main fight. He played a big part in the Ottoman victory at the Battle of Preveza. He fought alongside Turgut Reis in the back-center part of the Ottoman fleet. The fleet was shaped like a "Y" during the battle. After this, he continued to sail with Turgut Reis. Later, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Ottoman fleet in the Indian Ocean.
Capturing Cyprus
In 1570, Murat Reis commanded a fleet of 25 galleys. His mission was to clear the sea between Crete, Rhodes, and Cyprus. This was to prepare for the naval siege and capture of Cyprus. This event was part of the Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573).
He also had to stop Venetian ships from Crete from reaching Cyprus. These ships wanted to help the Venetian forces on the island. He kept doing this job until Famagusta surrendered. Famagusta was the last Venetian stronghold on Cyprus.
Expeditions to the Canary Islands
In 1585, Murat Reis led the first trip by Barbary corsairs into the Atlantic Ocean. During this expedition, he captured several of the Canary Islands. He also captured the Spanish governor of Lanzarote. The governor was later set free after a ransom was paid.
Mediterranean Sea Campaigns
Later, Murat Reis was given the job of protecting important trade routes. These routes were between Egypt and Anatolia. Venetian, French, and Maltese Knights often attacked these routes.
In 1609, he heard about a French-Maltese fleet of ten galleys near Cyprus. This fleet included a very large ship called the Galeona Rossa. It had 90 cannons and was known as the Red Inferno by the Ottomans. Murat Reis sailed there to fight them.
He hit the enemy ships with cannons from both far away and close up. He badly damaged the Red Inferno and captured it. Six of the ten French-Maltese galleys were captured. About 500 soldiers were taken, along with 160 cannons and 2000 muskets. Murat Reis was seriously hurt during this battle. He died in 1609 during the siege of Vlorë.
His Legacy
Murat Reis is still remembered today. Several submarines in the Turkish Navy have been named after him. One of the areas that make up the city of Algiers is also named after him. It is called Bir Mourad Raïs, which means "Murat Reis's well." Algiers was once an important Ottoman city.
He is also mentioned in many old Spanish books. Writers like Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega wrote about him. They called him "Morato Arráez."
See also
In Spanish: Morato Arráez para niños
- Murat Reis the Younger
- Ottoman Navy
