Fall of Constantinople

On May 29, 1453, the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the capital of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire. The city had stood as a bastion of Christianity and Greco-Roman civilization for over 1,000 years. Despite massive defensive walls, the Ottomans used enormous cannons and a fleet dragged overland to breach the defenses. The fall of Constantinople had far-reaching consequences: Greek scholars fled west, bringing classical manuscripts that helped fuel the Renaissance. Ottoman control of trade routes between Europe and Asia motivated Europeans to find new sea routes, eventually leading to the Age of Exploration. The event is often used by historians to mark the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the early modern period.

Key Takeaways