The city of Constantinople, established in 330, stands as a symbol of Western civilization, serving as the capital of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) for a long period until the Ottomans developed their massive cannons.
According to National Interest, the fall of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) in 1453 had a significant impact in the West. This event marked the end of the Middle Ages, leading to the collapse of the Byzantine Empire and paving the way for the rise of the Ottoman Empire into modern times. The world could have been vastly different had the Byzantines successfully defended Constantinople.
Constantinople, after more than 1,000 years of existence, finally fell.
In their quest to build one of the most powerful empires in history, the Ottomans always viewed the Byzantine Empire as their primary target. The geographical location, bridging Asia and Europe, gradually led to the downfall of the Byzantines at the hands of the Ottomans.
Initially, the Ottomans focused on the territories of the Byzantine Empire in Asia Minor. After conquering much of this land, they crossed the Dardanelles Strait, gradually replacing the position of the Byzantine Empire in the Balkans.
After subduing the Balkans, the Ottomans turned their attention back to seize the remainder of Asia Minor, setting their sights on conquering the great capital of Constantinople.
At that time, Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, had a history of over a thousand years and had been a center of art, culture, and commerce for centuries in the Western world. The Ottoman rulers had long coveted this wealthy and magnificent city, but had never succeeded due to its imposing walls.
To conquer Constantinople, Sultan Mehmet II utilized massive cannons.
Following the death of his father, Sultan Murad II, in 1451, Prince Mehmet II ascended the throne and directly oversaw the construction of massive cannons to breach the walls of Constantinople.
By the 15th century, Europeans had reached an advanced level in cannon-making. Mehmet II recruited the most talented gunmakers of the time, appointing a Hungarian named Urban to oversee the creation of cannons weighing up to 20 tons, intended for the siege of Constantinople.
To transport these gigantic cannons, engineers of the time also required appropriate horse-drawn carts. Many wooden carts broke apart under the immense weight of these colossal guns.
The largest cannons used in the siege were 8 meters long and fired projectiles weighing 600 kg. Before the battle in 1453, Constantinople withstood 20 previous sieges, but the massive cannons gave Mehmet a substantial advantage.
For a 15th-century cannon to operate effectively, it required gunpowder made from refined salt. This salt was mixed with sulfur and charcoal to create gunpowder.
The components for making gunpowder were transported separately and only mixed together before firing. The range of the massive cannons reached nearly 1,000 meters, but for safety reasons, the amount of gunpowder used was limited, firing from a distance of about 250 meters.
The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire.
Wooden shields helped the gunners protect themselves from the enemy’s archers or firearms. Due to their massive size, the recoil of the cannons was also considerable.
After each firing, the cannons had to be cleaned to ensure they could be fired again. This meant that each 20-ton cannon could only fire about 5 times a day.
The projectiles used in this era were made of metal with a lethality equal to or greater than hard stone. Thanks to these massive cannons, Sultan Mehmed II, then just 21 years old, breached the walls and entered Constantinople in just 53 days.
Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos was killed on the spot. The Ottomans plundered at will for three consecutive days, capturing over 60,000 people as slaves. Many priceless works of art were destroyed. All Christian symbols were replaced with Islamic altars.
The Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque. Sultan Mehmed II, impressed by the city of Constantinople, soon ordered the capital to be moved and renamed it Istanbul (meaning “City of Islam”).
