The Siege and the Fall of Constantinople in 1453: Historiography, Topography, and Military Studies

by Marios Philippides, Walter K. Hanak

This major study is a comprehensive scholarly work on a key moment in the history of Europe, the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. The result of years of research, it presents all available sources along with critical evaluations of these narratives. The authors have consulted texts in all relevant languages, both those that remain only in manuscript and others that have been printed, often in careless and inferior editions. Attention is also given to 'folk history' as it evolved over centuries, producing prominent myths and folktales in Greek, medieval Russian, Italian, and Turkish folklore. Part I, The Pen, addresses the complex questions introduced by this myriad of original literature and secondary sources.

Genres: History

816 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Marios Philippides is Professor of Classics, Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. He has authored numerous books and articles on the Palaeologan era and on the fall of Byzantium.

Reviews

[Petro Kacur · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone interested in the Fall of Constantinople, this is a scholarly but fascinating look at the sources and stories about this momentous moment in European history. I read Sir Runciman's account "The Fall of Constantinople 1453" as a teen and the story has stuck with me. Another good account is the Edwin Pears version that I believe was one of the first in English.

[Stefanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable scholarly work and the top contribution to the topic. Not for general readership, but no scholar of the Eastern Roman Empire can afford not to read this one cover to cover.