TLDR;
This video explains the history of Constantinople, from its establishment as the capital of the Byzantine Empire to its fall to the Ottoman Empire and subsequent transformation into Istanbul. It covers the strategic importance of the city, the key figures involved, and the cultural shifts that occurred after the Ottoman conquest.
- Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, a continuation of the Roman Empire in the East.
- The city was strategically important for defense and trade, located next to the Bosporus.
- The Ottoman Empire, founded by Osman I, gradually weakened the Byzantine Empire before Sultan Memet II conquered Constantinople in 1453.
- The conquest led to the end of the Byzantine Empire and the transformation of Constantinople into Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.
- Hagia Sophia, originally a Byzantine church, was converted into a mosque and later became a symbol of Istanbul.
The Origins of Constantinople [0:01]
Constantinople was an ancient city and the capital of the Byzantine Empire, which was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the eastern Mediterranean after the fall of Rome in 476 CE. In the late fourth century, Emperors Diocletian and Constantine strengthened the Roman Empire, establishing a new governmental structure, a more stable economic and social system, and adopting Christianity. Constantine initiated the construction of Constantinople as the new Byzantine capital near the Bosporus, strategically positioning it for defense against invaders. He envisioned it as a "New Rome," complete with grand palaces, gathering places, and an amphitheater.
The Rise of the Ottoman Empire [1:45]
The fall of Constantinople was caused by the Ottoman Empire, which originated in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and was founded by Osman I in the 13th century. Osman's successors expanded the empire, encroaching on territories including those of the Seljuk Turks and the Byzantine Empire. By 1345, Ottoman forces had advanced through Constantinople, encircling the Balkans, and in 1389, they defeated the Serbs at the Battle of Kosovo. Internal conflicts, political and economic instability, and territorial losses had already weakened the Byzantine Empire before the Ottomans arrived. By the 15th century, the Ottomans had conquered most of the Byzantine territories, except for a few cities like Constantinople.
The Fall of Constantinople [3:36]
In 1451, Sultan Memet II resolved to seize Constantinople to completely conquer Byzantium. The invasion began in April with 80,000 Ottoman soldiers camping on the city's western side. Despite promises of aid from the Pope and city-states like Venice and Genoa, their support was insufficient and delayed. Constantinople had only 6,000 to 8,000 soldiers to defend itself. Emperor Constantine XI ordered the placement of a floating chain at the Golden Horn to prevent naval attacks, but Ottoman forces had already surrounded the city. The main Ottoman attack occurred on the walled grounds of Constantinople, with Memet employing artillery and cannons, including one with a 26-foot barrel that fired 1,200-pound stone balls. The final attack was launched on May 1st, resulting in the destruction of the city walls and the death of Emperor Constantine XI.
The Aftermath and Transformation [6:01]
Following the fall of Constantinople, Memet declared the power of Allah at Hagia Sophia and converted the church into a mosque, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. Memet then began developing the city as the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Hagia Sophia, once the tallest church in the Byzantine Empire and a prime example of Byzantine architecture, was adorned with Islamic elements like the Mirab and Mimbar after its conversion. Today, Constantinople is known as Istanbul, a city located between Europe and Asia and a major city in Turkey.