Prologue
Constantinople (Current day Istanbul), is a city of great historical interest. It was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. For centuries, it was considered impenetrable due to the sheer defense of the walls and spatial advantage. But ultimately fell to Sultan Mehmed II and his forces in one of the most tactical and genius military tactic in the history of the world, turning it into the modern day Istanbul. What makes this conquer way more impressive is the combination of military tactics and clever strategy the ottomans used to breach the city's insanely durable and famed barrier, the Theodosian Walls. Let's delve deeper into the strategy used which allowed the ottomans to do the impossible.
 |
The Theodosian Walls
(PC: https://istanbultarihi.ist)
|
Even the Invincible has a Limit
The Theodosian Walls resisted centuries of countless attacks, protecting Constantinople from falling to the Arabs, Slavs, Rus and also from the Crusaders. However, technology was constantly being enhanced and cannons were invented. Sultan Mehmed had engineers made the the largest cannon, namely the Basilic, the world has ever seen.
Sultan kept on relentless attacks on the walls for over a month, which even dented the once "Invincible" walls of the city. That was enough to break the moral of the Byzantine army. They got scattered to repair the damage and reduce the upcoming attacks as much as they could., but the Sultan changed the tactics and attack pattern. Eventually, portions of the wall fell to pieces, opening the path for the Ottomans to push on.
 |
| The Basilic Concept Art |
The Golden Horn
The walls were not the only mean of defense for the Byzantines. During the ongoing siege, they relied on the Golden Horn. Golden Horn was a natural harbor where the Byzantine ships were docked. The Theodosian Walls were at the western side of the city and the Golden horns was at the northern side. It was protected by a massive iron chain which was covering the whole entrance. This barrier always kept the previous attackers at bay and didn't let them come close to the city from the northern side. But it wouldn't have been the topic of the blog if the case of Sultan Mehmed II was the same. In this unimaginable condition, Sultan devised a mesmerizing plan-transporting the fleet on land. In term of today's technology, it might not look much, but this was a step taken in the early 1400s. They used greased wood on the land to make path around the chain and directly into the Golden Horn. This strategy dazed the already scattered Byzantines. They held the belief that the port was safe, but the emergence of the Ottoman fleet in the Golden Horn put immense pressure on the defenders who were now vulnerable from two of the positions they felt the safest at.
 |
Golden Horn and the Iron chain Barrier (Left)
Transporting the fleet via land (Right)
(PC: https://www.apuleiusbooks.com) |
Don't Keep All your Money in One Pocket
Mehmed's forces were not content with only frontal and naval attacks. They intended guerilla attacks as well. Ottoman miners kept digging tunnels underneath the Theodosian walls, planning to sabotage them and sneaking soldiers into the city. The Byzantines managed to find out about the tactic but could only do much. They sealed many of the tunnels, but the threat of hidden assault proved to be significant, as the Byzantines became paranoid, they were forced to spread their forces thin, which Mehmed's army took advantage of. They devised feints, diversionary attacks, though these were smaller in scale, it was focused on breaking down the Byzantine army in the city, leaving them exhausted, disorganized and confused. Who knew where the next attack might come from, maybe one Ottoman managed to sneaked through?
Grand-finale
 |
The Janissary Fictional Art
(Assassins Creed Revolutions) |
After weeks of constant pressure and attacks, the final assault was launched when the Byzantines were seconds away from falling. The walls damaged and the Byzantine forces nearing their limits, the Ottoman pushed through a pivotal breach made through the historical Gate of St. Romanus. This strike was led by the legendary force of the Ottomans, the Janissaries. The ottomans streamed into the city, completely overwhelming the Byzantines in a ferocious final clash. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine the Eleventh stood bravely along his men, but was ultimately dealt with the death blow. Before noon, Ottoman flags and banners were covering the whole city. The mighty have finally fallen. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror declared Constantinople the capital of the Ottoman Empire hence beginning a new era of Ottoman rule.
 |
Final Battle Concept Art
(PC: https://www.worldhistory.org) |
Final Note
The triumph of the Ottomans in Constantinople was more than just a military conquest, it was shift of dynamics in the history of the world. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror's ingenious strategy and innovative tactics broke through the shackles of unshakeable. The battle was one of many which shaped today's modern warfare. Today after nearly six centuries, Istanbul remains as a city of extensive prominence and dramatic events. Yet it's beauty remains unaffected and it's history keeps me intrigued.
 |
Modern day Istanbul (Hagia Sophia)
(PC: https://www.telegraph.co.uk) |
Comments
Post a Comment