Hayreddin Barbarossa

"Barbarossa," the pirate who became admiral of the Ottoman navy and dominated the Mediterranean.

Life

Corsair brothers

Hayreddin was born on the Aegean island of Lesbos. With his elder brother Oruç he turned to piracy along the North African coast, attacking Spanish and Italian ships and helping Moriscos expelled from Spain escape to North Africa. Europeans called both brothers "Barbarossa" (Redbeard).

Algiers

After his brother was killed in battle, he took Algiers and submitted to the Ottoman sultan. In 1533 Suleiman the Magnificent appointed him grand admiral. In 1538 he defeated the Holy League fleet commanded by Andrea Doria at the Battle of Preveza, and for more than thirty years afterward the Ottomans controlled the eastern Mediterranean.

Preveza

He died in Istanbul in 1546 and was buried on the shore of the Bosporus.

Legacy

Hayreddin was the most famous naval commander of the Ottoman Empire; the Turkish Navy still honors him, and ships leaving port fire a salute toward his tomb.

Did you know? "Barbarossa" was originally what Europeans called his elder brother; later both brothers were called by that name.

Key dates

• 1504Engaged in piracy in North Africa with his elder brother
• 1518Brother killed in battle; took over Algiers
• 1533Became grand admiral of the Ottoman navy
• 1538Battle of Preveza
• 1546Died