Deserters

Desertion from the ranks of the defenders was far from infrequent. The terrible living conditions inside the besieged city, combined with the authorities' inability to pay wages regularly and the everyday perils of battle, led several men to defect to the Ottoman camp. For their part, the Turks encouraged such behaviour, by firing arrows that bore messages promising deserters fair treatment and material rewards:

"In many cases the infidels abandon the castle, for they fear the cannon fire and come to present themselves to the Grand Vizier, who feeds them, clothes them and offers them gifts."

[Evlia Çelebi, Travelogue (1668-1671), Ekati 2005, p. 177 - in Greek]