Introduction The fall of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks, at 1453, was the ending of the decline of the Byzantine world. Already from the 13th century Byzantine Empire fronted many political, social and economic problems. Foreign breeds from the North and the East, were entering peacefully or forcibly, whilst the Christians of West, mostly Venetians, were exploiting the most important commercial ports, resulting the natives’ economic decline. Within about two centuries the whole Greek peninsula was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. Only the Ionian Islands, except Lefkada for some intervals, never passed to the Ottoman power. They stayed in the Venetians’ power until 1797, so they passed to the French hands and then to English. The period of the conquest of the Greek peninsula, which was called the Turkish occupation, was dated from the mid of the 15th century until the Great Revolution of 1821. It also led to the formation of the new Greek state. The first two centuries from the Turkish occupation, were the harder for the Christians. The demographic, economic and social changes were huge. Several residents moved to mountainous places of the Ottoman Empire. Also the Byzantine lords disappeared after the fall. What is more, some literati left west Europe. All these negatively affected the unity of Greek population. But finally, the Greek slaves weren’t assimilated, after managing to preserve, with the help of the Church, three key elements of their national identity: religion, language and tradition. Several problems were faced by Greek Nationals of the Venetians. Until the 16th century it was not allowed the participation in the management, while the Venetians held senior religious offices and property of the Church. These restrictions, combined with other forms of discrimination, such as heavy taxation and participation in chores for the construction of public works, often caused protests and even riots against the conquerors.
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The devşirme The (devşirme) was an institution designed to serve the military needs of the Ottoman state and resulted in the Islamization of young people who entered the army.
After the reign of Murat (1360-1383) the mass kidnapping of children was applied, that means the violent rape of male children from the families of the Christians of European provinces only. The devşirme became more systematic from the sultans Selim I '(1512-1520) and Suleiman I (1520-1566). Since then it happened every five years and then every two years, sometimes every year depending on military needs, based on lists prepared by the elders of the Christian communities. The 15th century Jews and Armenians were excluded from devşirme, while Orthodox Christians were the ones who faced particular problem. From the part of Christians only the inhabitants of Istanbul and Rhodes were exempted.
Whenever devşirme was ordered, Turkish officials went to the Christian communities and chose the one fifth of children aged 6-10 years, the most robust and healthy. These children were Islamized, while the more beautiful and smarter were given to the sultan's court, many of them arrived at the highest state offices. The rest were destined for the army and the fleet. They were grown up in special military barracks, where they were taught the religion of Muhammad. They were practiced in hardship and strict discipline. 2
The army of janissaries The rough Islamization of Christians began from an early age. Sultan Orhan (13271360) founded a new military body (Yeni Çeri = new army) of adolescents Christian captives, who were named Janissaries. They have been a great scourge to the Christian populations. At first those in elite colleges chose only children from prisoners Christians who were Islamized.
Parents of candidate janissaries were threatened with death if they refused to give their children. The Janissaries were completely severed from their parents and the marriage was forbidden to them. Unique home was the barracks, unique art and weapons.
The daily life of the enslaved Greeks The Greeks who were enslaved had restrictions related to the installation, moving and outfits. They could not inhabit certain cities and they were limited to specific neighborhoods. They were prohibited to occupy honorary positions and offices, to raise their voice to Muslims or to be surrounded by followers. They also had to wear blue turbans, not to carry weapons or not to ride horses. The marriage was permitted only between Muslims and Christians and punished with a death sentence if a Christian got married to a Muslim woman.
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A positive Islamic law was that unbelievers could be in positions related to trade and arts because these works were considered an insult to the conquerors who had a major occupation of war and livestock. A second advantageous factor for enslaved Greeks was the consolidation of religious freedom which was dictated by the Mehmed the Conqueror who defined Gennadius as the first Patriarch. Of course this does not mean that at certain times Islamization became violent, and that larger churches were converted into mosques.
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