BAJAZET II. was projecting a pilgrimage to Mec ca when he received intelligence of his advancement to the throne. His piety however was proof against the suggestions of worldly policy, and he declared that he would rather forfeit the empire of the whole world than leave his vows unperformed. But he recommended his son Korkud as his substitute until his return, which happened about nine months af ter, when Korkud dutifully resigned the sceptre, and while he led Bajazet to the throne, thus ad dressed the chief officers of state: " This is indeed my father and lord, but he is also the governor and emperor of the Ottomans. 1 have hitherto been his shadow; now the light is come the shadow vanishes; to him alone therefore pay obedience and rever ence." The commencement of the reign of Bajazet was disturbed by the pretensions of his brother Djem, who founded his claim to dominion upon his being born the son of an emperor, whereas Bajazet was born before his father Mahomet had obtained the imperial dignity. Prince Djem was one of the most accomplished men of his nation, being endowed with great prudence, magnanimity, and fortitude; skilled in literature and eloquence, and a strict ob server of his faith. But his ambitious desire to reign involved him in a series of misfortunes, which terminated only with his life. Upon the death of his father he seized upon Brusa, and caused him self to be proclaimed sultan; but his army was an nihilated by the grand vizier Achmet, when he fled to the sultan of Egypt, who received him kindly and supplied him privately with money. After a variety of fortune he took refuge in Italy, where he was at first encouraged in his pretensions by the christian princes; but the gold of Bajazet found ad mission into the coffers of the Roman pontiff, the infamous Alexander VIL, who, it is said, adminis tered poison to his unsuspecting guest.
Bajazet was fortunate in having a general of such bravery and experience as the vizier Achmet. He was the idol of the janissaries, whose turbulence and tumults he alone could control, and who were ever confident of victory when led by their favourite chief. Under his councils and direction, the Otto
man arms were every where successful. Having overran Aloldavia, and subjected it to tribute, he penetrated into Cilicia, overthrew the Caremanian prince and his INIameluke auxiliaries on the plain of Tarsus, and established the dominion of Bajazet over the whole sea coast as far as the Syrian gates. But the talents and bravery of Achmet could not screen him from the ingratitude and treachery of his suspicious master; who, jealous of his influence with the janissaries, resolved to destroy him; which he soon after secretly accomplished. By this deed Bajazet cast front under him the firmest pillar of his throne, and exposed himself to the resentment of a fierce and unbridled soldiery, who had begun to feel their influence in the government, and who continued for five centuries to exercise a control in the empire alike destructive of its energies and its happiness.
The Mameluke sovereigns of Egypt had long be held with jealousy and dread the growing power of the Turks, and had embraced every opportunity of fomenting and encouraging rebellion in their de pendencies in Asia Minor. Bajazet, aware of their hostile feelings, was farther incensed against Kaite hey, the sultan of Egypt, for the protection which he afforded to his brother Djem. Both parties were afraid to come to open hostilities; but a rupture was precipitated by the contentions of two petty princes in Asia, when the greater powers, from being auxiliaries, became principals in a war which oc casioned much bloodshed in this and the following reign, and which ended in the total overthrow of the Mameluke sovereignty in Egypt.
The invasion of Syria by Bajazet was anticipated by the Mamelukes, who opposed him in the neigh bourhood of Mount Taurus; when, after a bloody and arduous conflict, Bajazet was compelled to re tire with the loss of two-thirds of his army, and all his baggage and cannon. The Turkish fleet, which accompanied the army, was equally unfortunate, having been wrecked in a storm at the mouth of the river Orontes.