Fall of the city from "summary" of Constantinople by Philip Mansel
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a cataclysmic event that shook the foundations of the Byzantine Empire to its core. For centuries, the city had stood as a bastion of Christian civilization in the face of numerous threats from the outside world. However, by the mid-15th century, the once-mighty empire was a mere shadow of its former self, weakened by internal strife and external pressures. The Ottoman Turks, under the leadership of Sultan Mehmed II, had long coveted Constantinople for its strategic location and symbolic significance. The city was both a prize to be won and a symbol of the Islamic world's desire to vanquish its Christian rivals. Mehmed knew that capturing Constantinople would not only secure his place in history but also pave the way for further Ottoman expansion into Europe. The siege of Constantinople was a brutal and protracted affair, lasting for over 50 days. The city's defenders, led by Emperor Constantine XI, fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, but ultimately they were no match for the Ottoman forces. The city's walls, once thought to be impenetrable, were bre...
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