The Turkish Capture of Constantinople marks the end of the Byzantine Empire finally leading to the modification of Roman power in midland Europe.
Constantinople was captured by Mehmed II, who was a sultan of the Ottoman empire after a 53-day siege, which was started on 6 April 1453. The city was the seat of the Roman Empire, and Christianity took wings here, so much so that it came to be known as ‘New Rome.’ Geographically locating, Constantinople is what stands as Istanbul in modern-day. The location of this ancient city makes it a strategic point for trade- surrounded by water on three sides (situated on the Bosphorus River, between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara)and connected by land (Bulgaria) on the other.
It stood on the trade route of Europe and Asia, and therefore, as early as 7th century B.C., this place became a flourishing port city. Chronology states that Constantinople served as the capital city for several Empires before the Turks (Ottomans) captured it.
Table: List of Empires with Constantinople as Capital
| Capital | Empire | Period (A.D.) |
|
Constantinople |
Roman Empire | 330–395 |
| Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) | 395–1204 | |
| Latin Empire/ Crusader State of Fourth Crusade by Roman Catholic Polities | 1204-1261 | |
| Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) | 1261–1453 |
Prospect for Invasion
The Byzantine Empire spanned from Europe to Asia with Byzantium (Constantinople) in the middle. Though frequent disputes (with the Arabs, Slavs, Krum, Rus, and many other such dynasties) rendered the Empire to change borders, the Byzantine Empire remained the most powerful force in Europe, both economically and culturally. The tactical location of the city made Constantinople the largest and wealthiest city in Europe. People marveled at the architectural wonders the city offered; its defenses and military were legendary.
All said and done; the city was not free from incursion by invaders who wanted to exploit the riches and resources it had. Throughout its history, Constantinople attracted sieges, rebellions, and attacks, but without much success. One invasion that took a toll on the well being of the Empire was the occupation by Fourth Crusaders from 1204-1261.
Paving the Way for Ottomans- The Fourth Crusade
All these forays had caused the borders of the Byzantine Empire to diminish, and by the start of the 15th century, the Empire was concentrated in Constantinople. Meanwhile, Pope Innocent III mobilized an army of Roman Catholic Christians as the Fourth Crusade for an armed rebellion to reclaim territories under Muslim rule. The socio-economic conditions of that time proved otherwise, and they turned towards the Byzantine Empire, which at that time was controlled by Greek Christians. They captured the areas under the Byzantine Empire and plundered its wealth. Occupation by the Fourth Crusade had severed the umbilical cord that tied the areas under Byzantine Empire together.
Consequently, the Empire crumbled, and several states emerged from the ruins. The Crusaders also founded several crusader states under the umbrella ‘Latin Empire of Constantinople.’ The orthodox Byzantine united as the Nicaean Empire and revolted against Latin occupation. They succeeded in restoring the Byzantine Empire in 1261.
The Fourth Crusade was formed in 1202 under the leadership of Pope Innocent III, to recapture the city of Jerusalem from the Muslims. But by late 1202, the Crusade did not receive enough support, financially as well as in military strength. The Crusade started its sieges, following which the Pope completely ousted the Fourth Crusade. The Crusaders needed military and financial aid to capture Jerusalem, which the Byzantine Emperor promised in return for capture of Constantinople.
Dawn of the Ottoman Turks
The invasion by Fourth Crusade gave a colossal blow to the Byzantine Empire; the political damages were irreparable. By the ending of the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks had captured almost all of the Balkans, Anatolia (Asia Minor), and several cities that were previously Byzantine. For the Ottomans, Constantinople was the missing link between the East and West. Laying siege to Constantinople was essential both politically and economically, given the wealth the city had amassed over the years.
Murad II, the Ottoman Emperor (1421-1444), was faced with insurrections, very early in his reign, and therefore, he set forth to establish his authority through conquests. He had captured Constantinople in 1422, only to give it away following rebellions led by his brother, in other.
The Fourth Crusade was formed in 1202 under the leadership of Pope Innocent III, to recapture the city of Jerusalem from the Muslims. But by late 1202, the Crusade did not receive enough support, financially as well as in military strength.
The Crusade started its sieges, following which the Pope completely ousted the Fourth Crusade. The Crusaders needed military and financial aid to capture Jerusalem, which the Byzantine Emperor promised in return for capture of Constantinople.
areas of the Empire. Mehmed II, son of Sultan Murad II, ascended the throne in 1444, but his reign was shortlived (1444-1446)- the Sultan being too young and the invaded failing to acknowledge the truce. When his son, Mehmed II, ascended the throne for the second time in 1451, he deliberated to fulfill what Murad II had envisioned- to conquer Constantinople. Mehmed II strengthened the military might of the Ottoman Turks and reinstated the Navy. The artillery and navy became even more important this time because Constantinople was surrounded by water on three sides while on its fourth side, by rows of impregnable walls, so sturdy, nothing could tear it apart.
War on ‘the City’
Sultan Mehmed II had set out to conquer Constantinople at a time when the city stood vulnerable. Mehmed’s victory can, in part, be attributed to this susceptibility. In 1453, Mehmed initiated the siege on Constantinople with an army that outnumbered the soldiers Constantinople had, by four times. The powerful cannons designed explicitly for the purpose breached the invincible walls of fortified Constantinople. The sea walls were surrounded by the Ottoman navy. Constantinople withstood the attack on all fronts for quite some time but could not hold long enough. The Ottomans now cut off supplies into the city with the hope that it would surrender. The siege lasted for two months.
On 29th May 1453, Mehmed ordered the army to give Constantinople a final blow. Mehmed’s troops were grouped into three, each with a separate plan of attack. The group of paid armies, the most active group of 50,000 soldiers, known as Janissaries, were the last group to enter into the city for battle. They entered at a juncture when those in the town were weary of fighting. Venice sent help to Constantinople, but it was too late. The Christian front disintegrated, and the Turks took over.
Conquest of Constantinople
As stated earlier, the Ottoman Turks invaded Constantinople at a time when the city lay vulnerable. However, that does not mean the city would have fallen, had Mehmed not made a well-calculated plan of attack. Even when the Byzantine Empire, in its enormity, functioned under the wings of Constantinople, the city succeeded in keeping each detail in check.
Every Byzantine politics was taken care of, and as a capital, it provided the necessary sustenance and stability. Internal politics was not the only subject of concern; religion was another standpoint for the smooth functioning of the socio-economic and cultural health of the city. Constantinople was, in many respects, the Empire in itself. The strength and endurance of Constantinople made it a focal point for every Sultan, every ruler. Constantinople, at that time, was the coveted seat.
On the other hand, for Sultan Mehmed II, it was a challenge and a chance to prove himself an Imperial power in front of the world. His first stint as a Sultan (1444-1446) did not do much good to his image. It imprinted him as a weak ruler, with his father, Murad II, taking over the throne, given the looming threats on the Empire.
In 1451, he had to make a grand entrance and prove his worth. It is said, he was so desperate, he built a castle on the Asian side of Bosphorus, solely for the purpose of waging war on Constantinople. The tale does not end here. He is believed to have hired a Hungarian Cannon expert to build him a cannon, so strong and powerful; it could fire a thousand-pound cannon for a distance of over a mile.
The invasion of Constantinople was of immense importance to Mehmed because it would consolidate his position as Sultan and restore the faith of his subjects. Mehmed left no stone unturned- the assault that started at daybreak brought Sultan Mehmed, his desired victory by dusk. The Middle Ages ended, and so did Constantinople. For Mehmed the Conqueror, it was the start of 30 long years of conquest.
Sultan Mehmed’s Conquests (1453-1480)
| Year | Invasions |
| 1453 | Conquest of Constantinople |
| 1454–1459 | Conquest of Serbia |
| 1458–1460 | Conquest of Morea |
| 1460–1461 | Conquest of Trebizond |
| 1459–1462 | Submission of Wallachia |
| 1463 | Conquest of Bosnia |
| 1463–1479 | Ottoman-Venetian War |
| 1464–1473 | Anatolian Conquests |
| 1475–1476 | War with Moldavia |
| 1466–1478 | Conquest of Albania |
| 1475 | Crimean Policy |
| 1480 | Expedition to Italy |
Image Credits:
Featured Image: Turkish Capture of Constantinople @diego4
Ottoman Empire map @Clker-Free-Vector
Conquest of Constantinople @Zonaro
Imphal, India
M.A History, Criminology
