The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire as a dominant force in Europe and the Middle East. The city, long considered an impregnable Christian stronghold, was besieged by the Ottoman army under Sultan Mehmed II in April 1453. Using advanced military tactics and massive cannons, the Ottomans breached Constantinople’s legendary Theodosian Walls. After weeks of fierce fighting, the city fell on May 29, 1453. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI, died in battle, and the Ottomans claimed the city as their new capital.
The conquest had profound consequences for global history. The Ottomans transformed Constantinople (renamed Istanbul) into a thriving Islamic cultural center, constructing the famous Hagia Sophia mosque. The fall of the Byzantine Empire also forced European scholars to flee to the West, bringing with them ancient Greek and Roman knowledge that contributed to the Renaissance. Additionally, the loss of the city disrupted European trade with Asia, prompting explorers like Christopher Columbus to seek new sea routes, which directly led to the Age of Exploration.
How long has it been since the Fall of Constantinople?
10 months,
0 days,
10h : 54m : 43s
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