Fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans from "summary" of History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
The city of Constantinople, once the proud capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, fell to the Ottoman Turks on May 29, 1453, after a prolonged siege that lasted for over a month. The fall of this great city marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of a new era dominated by the Ottoman Empire. The Byzantine Empire had been in a state of decline for centuries, weakened by internal strife, external threats, and economic troubles. The city of Constantinople, with its massive walls and strategic location, had long been seen as a bulwark against invading forces, but by the 15th century, it was a shadow of its former self. The Ottomans, under the leadership of Sultan Mehmed II, were determined to capture Constantinople and make it the capital of their burgeoning empire. Mehmed II assembled a massive army and navy, laying siege to the city in April 1453. The defenders, led by Emperor Constantine XI, put up a valiant fight, but they were outnumbered and outgunned. After a brutal assault that lasted for several days, the Ottomans breached the walls of Constantinople and poured ...
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