Constantinople 1453: The End of Byzantium

Osprey Campaign #78

by David Nicolle

This title details the epic four-month siege of the city of Constantinople, last vestige of the once mighty Roman and Byzantine Empires. Mehmet 'The Conqueror' led an army of 80,000 men with a massive siege train against the city. Defending were a mere 10,000 men under the Emperor Constantine XI. The Turkish artillery battered the ancient city walls mercilessly, levelling a large section. A gallant defence held off the massive Turkish assault for several hours. Refusing appeals to flee, Constantine returned to the breaches and fought until overwhelmed and killed. Thus died the last Emperor of the Byzantines, and with him his once glorious empire.

Genres: History, Medieval, Nonfiction, Military History, Islam

96 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2001

About the author

David C. Nicolle is a British historian specialising in the military history of the Middle Ages, with a particular interest in the Middle East.

Reviews

[Gustavo Barroso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estava à espera de um livro mais profundo acerca da temática, sobretudo por ser publicado pela Osprey. Parece que se forçou um resumo demasiadamente curto, que limitou o claro entendimento dos fatores apresentados. Não obstante, o autor adiciona bastantes fotografias tirada por ele mesmo e alguns mapas em que se esforça por caracterizar o ambiente político. No meu entender, ele não foi completamente bem sucedido.

[Brian Mikołajczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on the Fall of Constantinople / Conquest of Istanbul in 1453.
Nicolle details the campaign from both sides and provides great context and graphics to support the work.
An excellent read!

[Caterina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciltlerle anlatılabilecek bilgiyi ana noktalarıyla ifade eden hap gibi kitap.

Tek eleştirim görsellerin yetersizliği üzerine olacak, daha fazla illüstrasyon olmasını beklerdim.

[Bruinrefugee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good retelling of the final downfall of the Roman Empire in the East in 1453. An epochal event (even as the Byzantines had been reduced and reduced), I think it's best read after reading "Lost to the West" which puts the details here into more historical context.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent overview of the brief siege, that marked the final demise of the Byzantine empire and perhaps more importantly the ascent of the Ottoman.