Suleiman Baltoghlu

Baltoghlu Suleiman was an Ottoman admiral in the 15th century, of Bulgarian origin. He led the Turkish fleet against the Byzantines in 1453 during the final siege of Constantinople. Famous for the naval battle in which four Christian ships took on his entire fleet and won and escaped. Sultan Mehmed II was so angered during the defeat that he rode his horse into the sea screaming at Baltoghlu. When the battle ended, Baltoghlu was brought in front of Mehmed who promptly ordered that he be executed. Only after the pleading of his subordinates who told of Baltoghlu's great bravery during the battle in which he had even been wounded in the eye did Mehmed spare his life. However, he was stripped of titles, land, and wealth. He died in obscurity and poverty.