1453: The Catastrophic Collapse Of The Byzantine Empire

In the spring of 1453, Constantinople, the last stronghold of the Byzantine Empire, faces an inevitable siege by Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire, who commands an 80,000-strong army. Over 50 days of brutal combat, Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI used the city's formidable defences and sought aid from allies. Despite their efforts, Constantinople falls, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and transforming Mehmed II into "Mehmed the Conqueror." This conquest reshapes the historical and strategic landscape, establishing Constantinople as the new capital of the Ottoman Empire and altering the balance between East and West.