Azeb

Azebs, azabs, or azaps, also known as Asappes or Asappi, were irregular soldiers, originally made up of unmarried youths. They were conscripted among reayas and served in various roles in the early Ottoman army. The word azeb either often indicates a light infantry soldier which was called yaya azeb or a marine soldier which was called bahriye and deniz azeb. The term was used in the sense of "pirate" or "buccaneer" in Byzantine, Latin, and Italian sources from the 14th to 16th centuries.

History

Azebs were originally an auxiliary infantry unit harkening back to Anatolian beyliks that became independent from the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate. In the maritime beyliks, they also served as naval units. For instance, in the 13th century, sources address existence of troops called azebs in the Beylik of Aydın.
According to Stein, by the 14th century azebs garrisoned in strongholds were called kale azebs. Azebs in fortresses had duties such as building bridges, working as sappers and doing the job of armorers, especially after conscription of devshirme armorers stopped. They usually comprised most of the garrison in smaller forts and palankas.
In the Ottoman Empire the main role of azebs were fighting as infantry archers on front lines before the cannons and janissaries, After azebs slowed down the initial enemy charge, they would withdraw to left and right, and let the Ottoman cannons and janissaries fire at them.

Recruitment

Azebs were recruited in accordance with the kanunnames of the Suleiman I. Kadıs oversaw draft of the azebs at a local level, called sancak. One man was levied from every 20-30 households whilst others supported him financially. The azebs were initially only recruited from Anatolian Turks, and, then Rumelia. Azebs garrisoned in forts were regularly paid. In the late 16th century all Muslim men could enlist.

Organization

Their official name—as generally appeared in pay lists—was rüesa ve azeban. The word reis referred to head or captain of a ship in maritime or chief of a medium-sized unit consisting of kale azebs. Kale azebs were divided into ağalıks which were commanded by ağas and their aides kethüdas. These were subdivided into cemaats or riayets which were led by reises.''''

Equipment

As volunteers the azebs had a wide range of weaponry. These include pole arms, such as the tirpan and harba as well as balta. In addition to pole arms they were armed with a variety of maces, bows, sabers, and to a rarer extent crossbows. Later on guns were adopted instead. Azebs also wore red börks, a felt hat like the ones worn by janissaries but in different colours.