Why was Mehmed II’s victory at Constantinople a turning point in history?

           Mehmed II was a sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He extended the empire from Southeastern Europe to the Danube and from Anatolia to the Euphrates River. However, he is most famous for his siege of Constantinople, and his victory over the Byzantine Emperor, Constantine.

            When, at the age of twenty-one, Mehmed II sat on the throne of the Ottoman sultans, his first thoughts turned to taking over the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. He began his attack by taking control of the Strait of Bosphorus so as to cut off Constantinople from the Black Sea. Working to improve Constantinople’s defences, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine ensured that the massive walls were repaired and strengthened. To prevent a naval attack, Constantine directed that a large chain be stretched across the mouth of the harbour to block Ottoman ships from entering.

 

            Approaching the city with 80,000-120,000 men, Mehmed was supported by a large fleet in the Sea of Marmara. On April 5th, 1453, Mehmed arrived with the last of his men. He began battering at the walls of Constantinople, but with little effect. The immense cannon that he had brought were so huge that it required three hours to reload. This meant that between shots, the Byzantines were able to repair the damage that had been caused. Mehmed’s fleet was unable to enter the harbour because of the chain stretched across its mouth. Mehmed ordered his men to begin digging tunnels to mine beneath the Byzantine defenses, but this too, was unsuccessful. Mehmed now decided that a massive assault would be launched on the night of May 28th after a period of rest and prayer. This time, he was successful, and the Turks poured into the city, plundering its riches for three days. 

            A turning point in Western history, the fall of Constantinople is seen as the end of the Middle Ages, and the beginning of the Renaissance. For Mehmed, the capture of the city earned him the title ‘The Conqueror’.