Podcasts · The Ottoman Empire: How It Ruled Three Continents for 600 Years — Fexingo History

Ottoman Black Sailors: The Real History of the Mediterranean

23 Sep 2026 · 6:26 · S5 E243

While we have explored the Janissaries, the Sultanate of Women, and the grand architecture of Sinan, Episode 243 turns its gaze to the salt-stained decks of the Ottoman navy. For centuries, the Mediterranean was not just a border but a contested lake where Ottoman galleys challenged Venetian galleons and Spanish treasure fleets. This episode focuses on the Kapudan Pasha, the Grand Admiral who commanded these forces, and the complex multicultural crew that sailed them. We trace the naval zenith under Hayreddin Barbarossa, whose raids reshaped European politics, through the pivotal Battle of Preveza in 1538 which cemented Ottoman dominance for decades. We also examine the logistical marvels of the Galata shipyards, where timber from the Balkans was transformed into warships capable of crossing continents. From the diplomatic tensions with Algiers to the eventual stagnation of naval technology as Europe adopted heavier sailing ships, this conversation reveals how the Ottomans ruled three continents partly by controlling the sea lanes that fed their empire.

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