Ottoman Empire Captures Constantinople Ending Byzantine Empire

On May 29, 1453, the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople after a prolonged siege, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and a pivotal moment in world history. The fall represented not only the loss of a city but the collapse of the Roman and Greek imperial legacy, with Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos dying in battle rather than surrendering. Despite the Byzantine Empire’s decline and pleas for Western aid, including appeals to Pope Nicholas V, limited support arrived, and the city’s defenses, including the Theodosian Walls and a massive chain across the Golden Horn, ultimately proved insufficient against the vast Ottoman forces. Constantine XI, born into the Palaiologos family and the last Byzantine emperor, is remembered as a heroic figure who embodied the spirit and identity of the Greek and Roman peoples, as detailed by recent scholarship. The conquest of Constantinople not only ended Byzantine rule but also symbolized a major shift in power, ushering in Ottoman dominance and altering the religious, cultural, and geopolitical landscape of the region. This historic event is commemorated annually, reflecting on its profound impact on Christianity, Greek history, and the Orthodox Church.