Siege and fall of Constantinople

Abstract

The Mehmed Turks II were at the entrance of Constantinople, the symbol city of Byzantium and its fall meant the tryumph of Islam over the most persistent and firm defender of Christendom for about 800 years. The fall of Constantinople, after which Mehmed would be called “the Conqueror”, was possible due to the sultan strategic perception. He understood that without the control of the maritime access to the city, little could be done by his powerful troops. Thus, land and navy forces were able to subdue a courageously defended place which, for centuries, had resisted innumerable sieges and blocks.