SOURCE4 Sultan Mehmet II gives his reasons for attacking Constantinople.
The ghaza [holy war] is our basic duty as it was in the case of our fathers. Constantinople, situated in the middle of our domains, protects our enemies and incites them against us. The conquest of the city is, therefore, essential to the future and the safety of the Ottoman state.
SOURCE5 Candarli Halil, adviser to the Sultan, warns Constantinople that Sultan Mehmet is more of a danger to them than the previous Sultan. You stupid Greeks . . . I have known your cunning ways long enough. The late Sultan [Murad] was a tolerant and conscientious friend of yours. The present Sultan Mehmet is not of the same mind. If Constantinople eludes his bold and impetuous grasp it will only be because God continues to overlook your wicked and devious schemes.
During the siege, Mehmet’s base was the Ottoman fortress of Rumeli Hisar on the western bank of the Bosphorus Strait. Though hastily constructed, this military centre enabled Mehmet to command his forces from a tactically strong position. Over the winter of 1452–53, Constantinople prepared for a siege by reinforcing its walls and bringing in extra supplies of food, while Mehmet strengthened the roads between his capital of Edirne and Constantinople so that he could bring in his cannons to attack the walls of Constantinople. Mehmet positioned his naval fleet in both the Black and Marmara seas to isolate the Byzantines within their own city. On the ground, Mehmet used his Janissaries — elite and often brutal soldiers — to attack the walls of Constantinople.
SOURCE6 Map showing preparations for the attack on Constantinople
23 March 1453 Mehmet leaves Edirne with his army.
Winter 1452–53 Road and bridges strengthened to take weight of cannons.
February–March 1453 Byzantine settlements on coast attacked.
BLACK
SEA
Edirne
1365−1453
Winter 1452–53 Ottoman troops cross Bosporus.
February 1453 Cannons brought in preparation.
August 1452 New Ottoman fort built
Key
Bursa 1326−65
Ottoman capital with dates
Ottoman land attack
Constantinople
Ottoman sea attack
6 April 1453 Ottoman bombardment begins.
Old Ottoman fort
Byzantine Empire
Fort
MARMARA SEA
AEGEAN
Gallipoli
SEA
March 1453 Ottoman fleet sails to the Bosporus.
Bursa
1326−65
Dardanelles
0 25
50 75
kilometres
Source: Map drawn by Spatial Vision.
Ottoman attacks continued through April and early May, but the defenders of Constantinople held out, despite being outnumbered by ten to one. Towards the end of May, the Ottomans heard rumours that a European relief army was approaching the city and Mehmet decided to launch a final attack.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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