Oruc Reis, one of the greatest Turkish seamen, is the elder brother of Barbarossa Hayrettin Pasha, that is, Hızır Reis. He is the son of a spahi named Yakup from Ecova.Since his father Yakup was settled down in Middilli, his four sons Ishak, Ilyas, oruç and Hizir, that is, Barbarossa, were born in Middilli. They were engaged in seamanship and sea trade.
One day, Rhodes knights caught the ships of Ilyas and Hizir, killed Ilyas and took Hizir, that is, Barbarossa aptive. Upon that, Ishak and Oruç began piracy. After Hızır's escape from Rhodes knights, they became pirates in Mediterranean waters for a period of time, three brothers together. However, upon commencement of pursuit of Ottoman ships Turkish pirates just like foreign pirates, the pirate brothers went to Tunusia and were admitted by Tunusia Emir, and made the region called Halkulvadi a base for their piracy movements in Algeria and Tunusia. They gained power and reputation in a short time and began to attack on first ships and then navies of Spanish and Genoeses.
Having captured Algeria regions, they routed for a few times Spanish navy. After having defeated some Arab emirs joining Spanish, they established a government in Algeria. Famous emperor Sarlken, in order to take revenge for such defeats, sent a commander named Marki de Fomars in 1518 against them with great powers. Oruc Reis and his brother Ishak Reis, after a hero war against these enemy forces, which were much stronger than themselves, were killed by being shot in 1518.
Hızır Reis, that is, Barbarossa, who took an oath to take revenge of his brothers, took the domination of Algeria and fulfilled his oath.