# The Battle of St. Gothard explained — The Slaves of the Padishah > Chapter companion for The Slaves of the Padishah by Mór Jókai. ## What happens The Turkish and Imperial armies converge near St. Gothard. Hassan Pasha, in a rage, mistreats the Transylvanian envoy Balló and threatens to make Transylvania a Turkish sanjak. The Grand Vizier Kiuprile and Hassan Pasha's forces unite, but their rivalry hinders coordination. During the battle, the Moldavian army under Prince Ghyka flees, throwing the Turks into disarray. Ismail Pasha is killed, and despite Hassan's delusion of victory, his generals force him to flee the field. ## Themes in this chapter ### War and Destruction The chapter depicts the brutal realities of war, from the impalement of Janissaries to the beheading of Ismail Pasha, and the devastation of the countryside. ### Honor and Betrayal Balló's defiant stand for Transylvanian honor against Hassan Pasha's threats, and the Moldavian army's betrayal of the Turkish cause by fleeing the battlefield. ### Power and Corruption Hassan Pasha's abuse of power is on full display as he mistreats envoys, threatens to enslave a nation, and is blinded by his own arrogance to the reality of his defeat. ### Nationalism and Identity Balló's speech about the Magyars preferring death to degradation highlights the theme of national pride and identity in the face of foreign domination. ## Character check-ins ### Hassan Pasha In a terrible temper, he berates the Janissaries, threatens the Transylvanian envoy Balló, and is delusional about the battle's outcome, believing victory is his even as his army is routed. ### Balló The envoy of Transylvania, he is sent to plead for a remission of tribute. He bravely stands up to Hassan Pasha's threats, declaring that while he may find murdered Magyars, he will never find a degraded one. ### Kiuprile Pasha The Grand Vizier, he unites his army with Hassan Pasha's forces. He is initially left out of the battle but crosses the river to claim glory, a move that precipitates the final Christian assault. ### Ismail Pasha He attempts to fill the gap left by the fleeing Moldavian army but is caught between two fires, falls from his horse, and is beheaded by a hussar. ### Petneházy A Hungarian cavalry officer in the Christian army, he charges the Moldavian army, which flees without a fight, and later grasps Toggendorf's hand, declaring they choose between death and glory. ### Prince Ghyka The Prince of Moldavia, he leads his army to the battlefield but, as a Christian, is revolted by the fight. When Petneházy charges, his troops turn tail and quit the field. ### Yffim Beg He seizes Hassan Pasha's bridle and urges him to flee, informing him that his army has perished and Ismail Pasha's head has been hoisted on a pike. ### Montecuculi The leader of the Christian host, he perceives Kiuprile's movement and orders a final charge, sending Toggendorf and Petneházy to the wings and placing himself in front of the army. ## Key lines > “It is glory we are running short of,” said the leader of the deputation stolidly; “it bores us to stand staring idly into the eyes of the enemy.” The Janissaries' leader stated that they were bored with inaction and craved the glory of battle. _The Janissaries demand to be led into battle, expressing their frustration with waiting._ > “Then, sir, you must find another population for Transylvania, for you will not find there now the men you seek. You may see no end of murdered Magyars there, but a degraded Magyar you will never find.” Balló retorts that if Hassan wants to enslave the Magyars, he will have to find a new population, as they would rather be killed than submit to degradation. _Balló's defiant response to Hassan Pasha's threat to turn Transylvania into a sanjak._ > “Not so, my lad,” cried Petneházy, enthusiastically grasping his comrade's hand; “we choose between death and glory, and he who seeks glory will find a triumph also.” Petneházy corrects Toggendorf, saying they are not choosing between two deaths, but between death and glory, and that seeking glory leads to triumph. _Petneházy's rallying cry before the final charge against the Turkish army._ > “Glory be to Allah,” he cried, raising his hands to heaven; “victory is ours! The Christian is flying and is casting down his banners in every direction. The best of his warriors are wallowing in the dust. The rest are flying without weapons and with pale⁠—” Hassan Pasha praises Allah, believing they have won the battle, as he sees the Christians fleeing and their banners falling. _Hassan Pasha's delusion of victory while his army is actually being routed._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se/chapters/xii-the-battle-of-st-gothard - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se/chapters