The Fall of Constantinople: The Ottoman Conquest of Byzantium (General Military) - Hardcover

"This very attractive book provides a good introduction to the Byzantine Empire, its army, and the defenses of Constantinople, along with a relatively brief description of the siege of 1453, where the Sultan's use of massive cannon may well have been the key factor in the fall of the city. Anyone with an interest in this period who does not already own this Osprey volume will appreciate this bargain." --Bolling Smith, The Coast Defense Journal (August 2007)"The Fall of Constantinople is a pick for any collection strong in early history, particularly of the Roman Empire era. It follows the fall of the Roman Empire in general and Byzantium's eight-century struggle for survival... It's a powerful survey not to be missed." --The Midwest Book Review"The Fall of Constantinople is a lavishly illustrated work complete with full color artwork, photographs of ancient sites and artifacts, and detailed maps and diagrams. It provides and absorbing chronicle of the ultimate destruction of the greatest empire in Western history. Three renowned chroniclers of the medieval world narrate the celebrated siege of Constantinople which marked the final collapse of the Roman Empire. Each brings his unique expertise to this scholarly work." --sirreadalot.org..".readers will not be disappointed by the books comprehensive text." --The Traveler This very attractive book provides a good introduction to the Byzantine Empire, its army, and the defenses of Constantinople, along with a relatively brief description of the siege of 1453, where the Sultan's use of massive cannon may well have been the key factor in the fall of the city. Anyone with an interest in this period who does not already own this Osprey volume will appreciate this bargain. "Bolling Smith, The Coast Defense Journal (August 2007)" The Fall of Constantinople is a pick for any collection strong in early history, particularly of the Roman Empire era. It follows the fall of the Roman Empire in general and Byzantium's eight-century struggle for survival... It's a powerful survey not to be missed. "The Midwest Book Review" The Fall of Constantinople is a lavishly illustrated work complete with full color artwork, photographs of ancient sites and artifacts, and detailed maps and diagrams. It provides and absorbing chronicle of the ultimate destruction of the greatest empire in Western history. Three renowned chroniclers of the medieval world narrate the celebrated siege of Constantinople which marked the final collapse of the Roman Empire. Each brings his unique expertise to this scholarly work. "sirreadalot.org" ...readers will not be disappointed by the books comprehensive text. "The Traveler"" "This very attractive book provides a good introduction to the Byzantine Empire, its army, and the defenses of Constantinople, along with a relatively brief description of the siege of 1453, where the Sultan's use of massive cannon may well have been the key factor in the fall of the city. Anyone with an interest in this period who does not already own this Osprey volume will appreciate this bargain." -Bolling Smith, "The Coast Defense Journal" (August 2007) ..".readers will not be disappointed by the books comprehensive text." -"The Traveler" ""The Fall of Constantinople "is a pick for any collection strong in early history, particularly of the Roman Empire era. It follows the fall of the Roman Empire in general and Byzantium's eight-century struggle for survival... It's a powerful survey not to be missed." -"The Midwest Book Review """The Fall of Constantinople "is a lavishly illustrated work complete with full color artwork, photographs of ancient sites and artifacts, and detailed maps and diagrams. It provides and absorbing chronicle of the ultimate destruction of the greatest empire in Western history. Three renowned chroniclers of the medieval world narrate the celebrated siege of Constantinople which marked the final collapse of the Roman Empire. Each brings his unique expertise to this scholarly work." -"sirreadalot.org"

Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Byzantium fought for survival for eight centuries until, by the mid-15th century, the emperor Constantine XI ruled a tiny handful of territories, an empire in name and tradition only. However, he had a powerful defensive weapon in the form of his capital Constantinople, protected by an impregnable wall system. For the Turks in 1453, Constantinople was a fruit ripe for the picking, the conquest of which had been a dream of Islamic armies for many centuries. Despite leading 80,000 men and a massive siege train against the city, Mehmet 'The Conqueror' had to besiege Constantinople for four months before the venerable city finally fell. This beautifully illustrated book chronicles the history of Byzantium, the evolution of the defences of Constantinople and the epic siege up to the breaching of the great walls, which heralded the birth of the Ottoman Empire in its fully developed form. This book contains previously published material from:Essential Histories 33: Byzantium at War, Campaign 78: Constantinople 1453, Fortress 25: The Walls of Constantinople. Also contains artwork from Men-at-Arms 140, 287, 89, and New Vanguard 69.