Morlachs (Venetian irregulars)


The Morlach troops was an irregular military group in the Dalmatian hinterland, composed of Morlachs, that was hired by the Republic of Venice to fight the Ottoman Empire during the Cretan War (1645–69) and the Great Turkish War.

Leaders

The leaders, called harambaša and serdar, held several titles in Venetian service.
;Cretan War

History

In order to effectively operate in the Cretan War (1645–69), a solid reorganization was needed, with an officer commanding over several harambaše. At first this position was undetermined. Priest Stjepan Sorić is mentioned as "governator delli Morlachi", Petar Smiljanić as "capo", Vuk Mandušić as "capo direttore", and Janko Mitrović as "capo principale de Morlachi", Jovan Dračevac as "governator" etc. This "Uskok" or "Morlach" army had less than 1,500 fighters.

Legacy

The rebel fighters are enumerated in Croatian and Serbian epic poetry, of which there is a cyclus.