The Ottoman Empire

For one, they were very young when they were taken, so they were raised to be Janissaries. Also, many parents willingly gave their children over, because they knew they would live happier and wealthier lives than if they had stayed and been peasants.

I know little of the Ottoman empire tough from what im told there pretty badass. And with a rising Turkey im hoping for a new Ottoman empire (tough i doubt it)

The empire is named after its founder Osman I.

The world is better without the Ottomans because they were hindering progress in the region and had rulers who where far to inept.

In some ways you could say that. But after the Mongols destroyed the last remnants of the Abbasid Caliphate (which btw they and the previous one made the Muslims the scientific capital of the world...), the Ottoman Empire seemed to be the last thing holding them together and expanding in the fields of science. But then again or course, they were fighting to expand in N. Africa, Europe, Russia and Persia, which stretched out to much they couldn't do anything internally.

Ultimately the Ottomans were destroyed because of their tradition of raising princes in the harem, away from the public eye. This made a lot of rulers somewhat detached from reality when they ascended the throne, and affairs of state were often left to the vizier.

Who was the "Vizier"?

He was kind of like the secretary of state.

I had heard the name before but noe the context makes even more sense! THANKS!!!

I thought he was some kinda prime minister...

Didn't the slaves take Egypt from the Fatimids, rather than the Ottomans?

We are talking about the Jannisaries, the slaves your talking about were called Mumlucks or something like that.

I know, but why did he mention slaves? I wouldn't class the Janissaries as such.

Yes, the forums do seem more frenzied. I'm guessing its because people can post faster, and get to places faster via alerts.

Greece, you mad bro?

Lol J.K Greece I know your pain from the Great Crime resulting in a million Armenian civilians dying and the lucky ones being deported. For those who dont know it is what us armenians call the armenian genicide.

Well, that explains why the Greeks are pissed now... The country is run by Europe!

I always like Greece in Paradox games, they're easy to take over.

I think the Ottomans deserved better. Imagine if they had won the Siege of Vienna.