Janissary

The Janissaries, also known as the Yeniçeri, were specially trained elite soldiers of the Ottoman Empire.

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, architects, or government officials.^[1]

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 what later became known as the "Auspicious Incident".^[2]

Renaissance

In the early 16th century, the Janissaries were led by Tarik Barleti. Due to the habit of some members terrorizing the populace of Constantinople, they were widely feared by the civilians. The arrogant habits of these Janissaries—destroying vendors' booths, confiscating products, and so on—raised the ire of many citizens who saw them as being above the law.^[3]

TAG 4 — A pair of Janissaries harassing a merchant

In 1511, the Assassin Ezio Auditore 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 Tarik and the Byzantine Templars Manuel Palaiologos and Shahkulu.^[4]

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.^[5] However, the slain Janissary's body was soon found, and the entire camp was put on alert. When Ezio assassinated Tarik, he discovered that he was not a traitor, merely trying to infiltrate the Templars.^[6] After Ezio escaped, the Janissaries began patrolling all of Constantinople and raised the Great Chain to prevent the Assassin's departure.^[7]

However, this ultimately failed, as Ezio destroyed the Great Chain with a 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,^[7] and when he returned, the Janissaries were on high alert, declaring a warrant for the Assassin's capture.^[8]

Trivia

The name "Yeniçeri" is a compound of the Turkish words yeni, "new" and çeri, "army"; an alternate translation could read as "new soldiers".
In the novelization of Assassin's Creed: Revelations, the Janissaries are described as wearing white armor. This is not evident in the game where their armor is covered by their embroidered uniforms.
Out of all elite units in the Assassin's Creed series, Janissaries are the most regular; after the completion of Sequence 7, with Ezio Auditore returning to Constantinople from Cappadocia, every guard patrol in the city will consist of two Janissaries.
Janissaries were the first and only non-Turkish and non-Muslim division to ever be a part of the Ottoman main army.^{[citation needed]} The Ottoman Army was divided between the regular army and the auxiliaries. Only Turks were allowed to join the former(to which the Janissaries belonged to) while minorities (Arabs, Kurds, etc.) were assigned to the latter. Auxiliaries were not recorded as part of the Ottoman empire as they were technically no soldiers, but acted as either vassals or, in the case of Arabs and Kurds, mercenaries.

Combat

Janissaries are very resistant to gunfire but are easily killed by bombs and poison.
On some occasions, if Ezio is lacking in lethal or tactical bombs, looting or stealing from Janissaries give him splinter or caltrop bombs.
Janissaries are faster than Ezio and can climb onto most buildings which make them difficult to escape from.
All Janissaries wield the same sword, the Janissary Kilij.
Unlike the Papal Guards who follow-up every shot with a strafing maneuver, Janissaries follow-up by dashing forwards to kick their target.
Strangely, Janissaries are especially vulnerable to unarmed combat. Performing a counter-steal while unarmed will immediately open them up to an execution, and they also struggle to block against attacks.
Attempting a hook and run on a Jannisary will cause the Hookblade to be temporarily caught in their armor.