Barbarossa, a name that translates as redbeard, is a name that Europeans gave to two Turkish brothers from the 16th century.

The two brothers, Aruj, and Khayr al-Din were originally pirates before supporting the Ottoman empire. They are responsible for bringing the areas of Algeria and Tunisia within the borders of the Ottoman Empire.

Aruj was killed in 1618, while the two brothers were fighting Spaniards, but Khayr al-Din went on to more success. He became a subordinate of the Ottoman Sultan, and admiral of the Ottoman fleet. His main accomplishment was the capturing of Algiers from the Spanish. He died, at an unknown age in Constantinople

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