Tribute of Children to the Turks (litho)

Tribute of Children to the Turks. The Greeks, in common with all peoples conquered by the Turks, were compelled at regular intervals to give up a certain percentage of their male children to Turkish officials. These were brought up in a special school, whereby the Turks created a fine body of strong and handsome guards, afterwards known as Janissaries. Many of them rose to high military and civil posts. Mohammed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, is said to have been educated in this school. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.