Hadân Suleiman Pasha
Encyclopedia
Hadim Suleiman Pasha ruled as the Beylerbeyi
of Rumelia
during the reign of Mehmed II
.
The cognomen 'Hadım', for Suleyman Pasha, in Turkish means eunuch
.
In 1474, he besieged the Iskenderiye fortress (Shkodër
), now in Albania
— back then under Venetian
control. The fortress was defended by one Antonio Loredano. The Ottoman troops managed to damage parts of the fortress, but ultimatelly failed and Suleyman had to satisfy himself with his pillage. He was then ordered to march against Moldavia
, as Stephen the Great refused to pay homage to the Sultan
. Suleyman was reluctant in marching against Moldavia, as his troops were exhausted from the failed siege and as winter was approaching, but he couldn't dare to question the Sultan's decision. In December 1474, he began his march from Sofia
to Moldavia with troops Rumeli provincial levies and, on January 10, 1475, confronted Stephen at the Battle of Vaslui
or Battle of Racova. His Ottoman forces suffered a major defeat with high casualties. However, this defeat was recompensated during next summer when the Ottomans occupied Besserabia, took Akkerman, and defeated Stephen on July 17, 1476 at Valea Alba
(Akdere).
Beylerbeyi
Beylerbeyi is a neighborhood in the Üsküdar municipality of Istanbul, Turkey. It is located on the Asian shore of the Bosporus, to the north of the Bosphorus Bridge. It is bordered on the northeast by the neighborhood of Çengelköy, on the east by Kirazlıtepe, on the southeast by Küplüce, on the...
of Rumelia
Rumelia
Rumelia was an historical region comprising the territories of the Ottoman Empire in Europe...
during the reign of Mehmed II
Mehmed II
Mehmed II , was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire for a short time from 1444 to September 1446, and later from...
.
The cognomen 'Hadım', for Suleyman Pasha, in Turkish means eunuch
Eunuch
A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences...
.
In 1474, he besieged the Iskenderiye fortress (Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
), now in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
— back then under Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
control. The fortress was defended by one Antonio Loredano. The Ottoman troops managed to damage parts of the fortress, but ultimatelly failed and Suleyman had to satisfy himself with his pillage. He was then ordered to march against Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
, as Stephen the Great refused to pay homage to the Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
. Suleyman was reluctant in marching against Moldavia, as his troops were exhausted from the failed siege and as winter was approaching, but he couldn't dare to question the Sultan's decision. In December 1474, he began his march from Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
to Moldavia with troops Rumeli provincial levies and, on January 10, 1475, confronted Stephen at the Battle of Vaslui
Battle of Vaslui
The Battle of Vaslui was fought on January 10, 1475 between Stephen III of Moldavia and the Ottoman Beylerbey of Rumelia, Hadân Suleiman Pasha. The battle took place at Podul Înalt , near the town of Vaslui, in Moldavia...
or Battle of Racova. His Ottoman forces suffered a major defeat with high casualties. However, this defeat was recompensated during next summer when the Ottomans occupied Besserabia, took Akkerman, and defeated Stephen on July 17, 1476 at Valea Alba
Battle of Valea Alba
The Battle of Valea Albă or Battle of Războieni or Battle of Akdere was an important event in the medieval history of Moldavia. It took place at Războieni, also known as Valea Albă, on July 26, 1476, between the Moldavian army of Ştefan cel Mare and an invading Ottoman army which was commanded...
(Akdere).