The Fall of Constantinople

Manuel Doukas Chrysaphes’ (an artist in the 15^th century of the Byzantine empire) Lamentation for the Fall of Constantinople.

The map of the siege of Constantinople. The Fall of Constantinople was a major turning point, affecting trade, influencing the Renaissance, and explanding the Ottoman Empire.

Many historians point to 1204 as the practical end of the Byzantine Empire, as it disintegrated into feudal fiefdom. However, the Fall of Constantinople is a turning point for the city and the empire. The infamous date of the Fall of Constantinople is May 29, 1453 after the siege that began on April 6. This siege was led by the twenty-one-year-old Mehmet II from the Ottoman Empire. The siege was successful because the Ottomans had cannons and gunpowder, making the technology of the Walls obsolete. After the siege, the Byzantine Empire fell away to the Ottoman Empire. It was a blow to Christendom and a turning point for Western history as it is seen as the end to the Middle Ages and the start of the Renaissance. Scholars fled the city and brought their knowledge to the West [1]. Trade also changed as it severed some of the European trade links with Asia were severed. The city was renamed Islambol (where Islam abounds) [2].

The Fall (or Sack) of Constantinople was not only a turning point for the city, but it was also a turning point of the Theodosian Walls as a “lieu de memoire.” No longer is the wall associated with usefulness in defense as it failed the city. The fall slowly turns to ruins in modern day.  The rise and fall of Constantinople coincides with the rise and fall of the Theodosian Walls.

[1] Herrin, Judith. “The Fall of Constantinople.” HistoryToday. Volume 53. Issue 6. July 2003.

[2] Mansel, Philip. “Constantinople: city of the world’s desire.” New York, 1996.