Napoleon Bonaparte, the renowned French commander and statesman, rose to power and transformed his army into an unbeatable force, annexing European states one by one. Inspired by figures like Alexander the Great, Napoleon embarked on campaigns in Asia and Africa. However, in Egypt, he faced a rare defeat at the hands of Ottoman commander Cezzar Ahmet Pasha, demonstrating that Napoleon was not invincible.
Cezzar Ahmet Pasha (1708 – 1804) was born in Bosnia in 1704. He served under Hekimoglu Ali Pasha, who held the position of Grand Vizier for both Sultan Mahmud I and Sultan Osman III. Cezzar Ahmet Pasha's notable achievements took place in the triangular region of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the Ottoman Empire.
The term "Cezzar" is an Arabic word meaning cruel, ruthless, or bloody. It is believed that Cezzar Ahmet Pasha earned this epithet after brutally suppressing a rebellion by Bedouins who had killed Abdullah Bey, a chief explorer in Egypt. Additionally, "Cezzar" can also translate to "butcher of camels," possibly reflecting Ahmet Pasha's strict measures against rebels.
During his service under Ali Pasha, Cezzar Ahmet Pasha moved to Egypt in 1756. Despite Ali Pasha's departure, Ahmet Pasha remained in Egypt, eventually joining the service of explorer Abdullah Bey in 1758.
When news of the French invasion of Egypt reached him, Cezzar Ahmet Pasha fortified his own region. He had strengthened the walls of Acre due to previous threats. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Empire was facing economic difficulties and conflicts with powerful nations like Austria and Russia.
As Napoleon besieged Acre in 1799, Cezzar Ahmet Pasha displayed his exceptional military prowess. Despite relentless French attacks, Acre held its ground. When reinforcements from the Nizam-ı Cedid army arrived from the island of Rhodes, bolstering Ahmet Pasha's forces, the French retreat became inevitable.
In the 64th day of the siege, on May 10, 1799, Napoleon, recognizing his impending defeat, decided to withdraw with the remaining troops. This marked Napoleon's first major defeat, attributed to the strategic brilliance of Cezzar Ahmet Pasha. The victory at Acre was celebrated in Istanbul, enhancing Ahmet Pasha's reputation both domestically and internationally.
Despite Western portrayals of Cezzar Ahmet Pasha as a ruthless commander, these depictions are considered propaganda. After his triumph at Acre, he continued to serve as a Beylerbeyi until his passing in Acre in 1804.
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