From Cilician Crusaders to Ottoman Janissaries: My DNA Tells a Story of Conquest and Identity
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS, Freemason, Windows Sons MRA Member, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Specializing in Cybersecurity
As I delved into my genetic ancestry, the findings told a story that was as intricate and poignant as the history of the regions my ancestors inhabited. Tracing back to the period between 1250 AD and 1500 AD, my DNA reveals an extraordinary transformation: from being proud Cilician Crusaders defending Christian lands in the Eastern Mediterranean to becoming Janissaries under the Ottoman Empire—a shift emblematic of conquest, resilience, and survival. This journey reflects the broader forces of history that shaped entire populations, including my own ancestors.
The Cilician Crusaders: A Legacy of Christian Resistance
In the 13th century, Cilicia, located in present-day southern Turkey, was a vibrant Armenian Christian kingdom. As a frontier state, Cilicia often allied with European Crusaders to defend against Islamic expansion. My ancestors, who likely bore the cultural and spiritual identity of the Cilician Crusaders, stood as stalwart defenders of their faith. These Crusaders were not just warriors; they represented a Christian culture deeply intertwined with the Byzantine traditions and the broader Christian world.
Cilicia's proximity to the powerful Islamic empires of the time, however, made it a target for conquest. The rise of the Seljuk Turks and, later, the Ottomans brought waves of invasions that reshaped the demographic and political landscape. By the late 14th century, the Ottomans had begun their systematic expansion into Christian territories, leading to the eventual fall of Cilicia.
The Janissary Transformation: From Conquered to Conscripted
The Ottoman conquest introduced the devşirme system, a practice whereby Christian boys from conquered territories were taken, forcibly converted to Islam, and trained as elite soldiers known as Janissaries. These boys, often taken as a form of tribute, were uprooted from their families and integrated into the Ottoman military and bureaucratic elite. The Janissaries became one of the most formidable military forces of their time, instrumental in Ottoman victories across Europe and the Middle East.
My DNA suggests that my ancestors, after the fall of Cilicia, likely became part of this system. As Cilician lands were absorbed into the Ottoman Empire, the devşirme would have taken many of their young boys. My family, once Crusaders wielding swords in defense of Christian lands, may have found themselves donning the uniforms of the Janissaries, now serving the empire they once resisted.
A Story of Survival and Identity
The transformation from Crusaders to Janissaries encapsulates the resilience and adaptability of my ancestors. While the forced conversions and cultural assimilation of the devşirme were undoubtedly traumatic, the system also provided avenues for social mobility within the Ottoman framework. Some Janissaries rose to positions of power, serving as governors, military commanders, and advisors to the sultans.
This duality—the tragedy of loss and the opportunity for survival—is a testament to the complexities of human history. My ancestors, stripped of their original faith and identity, nevertheless persisted and thrived in a new context. The resilience they displayed allowed them to endure one of history's most tumultuous periods.
Reflections on My Journey
Learning this history has deepened my appreciation for the sacrifices and struggles of my ancestors. As an Iranian-American Christian, I feel a profound connection to their legacy. Their story reminds me of the importance of faith, resilience, and the will to endure even in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Janissary experience also sheds light on the broader consequences of Ottoman imperialism. While often romanticized in popular narratives, the Ottoman system systematically dismantled the Christian fabric of many regions, replacing it with Islamic hegemony. Yet, within this framework of oppression, stories like that of my ancestors reveal the indomitable human spirit.
As I reflect on my own journey—from being an ex-Muslim and former socialist to embracing Christianity and conservative values—I see parallels with my ancestors' transformations. Like them, I have navigated significant changes in identity, faith, and purpose, and like them, I have emerged stronger.
Citations
- Braude, Benjamin. Christians and Jews in the Ottoman Empire: The Functioning of a Plural Society. Holmes & Meier, 1982.
- Vryonis, Speros. The Decline of Medieval Hellenism in Asia Minor and the Process of Islamization from the Eleventh Through the Fifteenth Century. University of California Press, 1971.
- Lord, Albert B. The Singer of Tales. Harvard University Press, 1960.
- Imber, Colin. The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650: The Structure of Power. Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.
- Housley, Norman. The Crusaders: The Struggle for the Holy Land. Yale University Press, 2010.
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