DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25694#0111
82
AMURATH IV.
thought to be impregnable. During thirty days, such a scene of slaughter took place, as had hardly
before been witnessed. The Emperor rode among his ranks, exposed to the greatest danger, and
eminently contributed to raise that spirit of enthusiasm by which alone great actions are achieved.
As he knew what could be effected by skill and bravery, united to perseverance, he made no
allowance for defect of judgment in his officers. On some, whom the scene of slaughter seemed to
appal, he took signal vengeance with his own hands ; and among those who suffered at this memorable
siege by his scymetar, was the grand Vizier, whose tactical arrangements in one quarter had betrayed
neglect. To such enthusiastic and persevering ardour, the city, at length, gave way; and the
sacrifice of the numerous garrison of Bagdat, containing the flower of their armies, with all their
nobility, gave such a mortal blow to the Persians, that they have never since become formidable to
the Ottoman power. This was the last military achievement of the present reign; and with his
military glory ends the praise of Amurath ; for during the intervals of peace, his conduct exhibited
him only as the slave of excess. He frequently laid aside the imperial dignity, and mixed with
society in disguise, delighting himself with low buffoonery, and wanton revelling ; in the course
of which the feelings and delicacy of innocence were neither shielded from insult, nor the dignity
of age or rank respected. He was very much addicted to drunkenness, and even published an edict,
enjoining his subjects to indulge in that disgraceful vice. During his fits of inebriety, he sallied
forth in the night with the companions of his vicious pastime, and committed unheard of barbarities*
His name, at length, became terrible to his subjects, and he closed a life, debased by intemperance
and excess, in one year after the taking of Bagdat.
Notwithstanding the fabulous accounts which have been given of this Emperor, it must be ad-
mitted that, by his personal valour and conduct, he contributed in a great degree, to restore the
Ottoman empire to its former greatness. As a soldier, he was distinguished for his skill in all
military exercises: he was not only the most expert with the bow, but the best horseman of his
time ; and none could resist the force of his powerful arm. In the affairs of government, he evinced
a diligence and perseverance, united to an acuteness of intellect, a clearness of discrimination, and
a firmness of resolution, which were equal to every difficulty. No reverses of fortune dismayed
him; and he never lost possession of his powers, nor disgraced his dignity, but when he was under
the dominion of his predominant vice. In fact, but for this stain, by which he violated the first
principles of his religion, his name might have been handed down to posterity as one of the brightest
ornaments of the imperial family.
The Vignette represents the siege of Bagdat.
AMURATH IV.
thought to be impregnable. During thirty days, such a scene of slaughter took place, as had hardly
before been witnessed. The Emperor rode among his ranks, exposed to the greatest danger, and
eminently contributed to raise that spirit of enthusiasm by which alone great actions are achieved.
As he knew what could be effected by skill and bravery, united to perseverance, he made no
allowance for defect of judgment in his officers. On some, whom the scene of slaughter seemed to
appal, he took signal vengeance with his own hands ; and among those who suffered at this memorable
siege by his scymetar, was the grand Vizier, whose tactical arrangements in one quarter had betrayed
neglect. To such enthusiastic and persevering ardour, the city, at length, gave way; and the
sacrifice of the numerous garrison of Bagdat, containing the flower of their armies, with all their
nobility, gave such a mortal blow to the Persians, that they have never since become formidable to
the Ottoman power. This was the last military achievement of the present reign; and with his
military glory ends the praise of Amurath ; for during the intervals of peace, his conduct exhibited
him only as the slave of excess. He frequently laid aside the imperial dignity, and mixed with
society in disguise, delighting himself with low buffoonery, and wanton revelling ; in the course
of which the feelings and delicacy of innocence were neither shielded from insult, nor the dignity
of age or rank respected. He was very much addicted to drunkenness, and even published an edict,
enjoining his subjects to indulge in that disgraceful vice. During his fits of inebriety, he sallied
forth in the night with the companions of his vicious pastime, and committed unheard of barbarities*
His name, at length, became terrible to his subjects, and he closed a life, debased by intemperance
and excess, in one year after the taking of Bagdat.
Notwithstanding the fabulous accounts which have been given of this Emperor, it must be ad-
mitted that, by his personal valour and conduct, he contributed in a great degree, to restore the
Ottoman empire to its former greatness. As a soldier, he was distinguished for his skill in all
military exercises: he was not only the most expert with the bow, but the best horseman of his
time ; and none could resist the force of his powerful arm. In the affairs of government, he evinced
a diligence and perseverance, united to an acuteness of intellect, a clearness of discrimination, and
a firmness of resolution, which were equal to every difficulty. No reverses of fortune dismayed
him; and he never lost possession of his powers, nor disgraced his dignity, but when he was under
the dominion of his predominant vice. In fact, but for this stain, by which he violated the first
principles of his religion, his name might have been handed down to posterity as one of the brightest
ornaments of the imperial family.
The Vignette represents the siege of Bagdat.