Fall of Constantinople :: World History

Fall of ConstantinopleBy 350 A.D., Constantinople was one of the worlds superior capitals. The city was located between Asia and Europe, making it a precise diverse and strategic regularise. The many bodies of water surrounding the peninsula gave Constantinople many trade routes as well as protection. The famous walls were also built to further chant security. Constantinople eventually rose to a beautiful city of strength and wealth. Its Hellenic heritage separated itself from the West with their religion of Eastern Orthodoxy. Despite the function of Constantinople, unending attacks and problems would eventually weaken the city. The first major catastrophe took place in 542, when a plague struck and killed massive amounts of people. The recovery was very slow, and it allowed for countless attacks. For Constantinople, however, it was just the beginning. Justinian ruled the Byzantine conglomerate during its height. His military confront strength from the East that greatly endan gered his people. The Sassanian conglomerate of Persia was one scourge that Byzantines needed to conquer. The Persians endangered eastern lands, so Justinians military prevented any conquest. The Sassanians were overcome and security was briefly gained. After his success, Justinian wanted to regain lands the Roman Empire once lost to invaders. Byzantine armies began a reconquest of Spain, Italy, and North Africa. Battles against various Germanic groups took place, and western lands were conquered by the Byzantines. The wars were expensive, and resources were low. Defense became weak and territories were lost increasingly after(prenominal) Justinians death. During the early 700s, the Byzantine Empire was in turmoil and chaos. As king of beasts III took power, Constantinople was being attacked by Avars, Bulgarians, and Arabs. The Arabs from the Middle East were a primary(prenominal) concern for social lion III because of their large conquests in the Asia Minor. The Arabs advance d to spreading their faith of Islam and control resources. The Arabs slowly acquired land until their siege on Constantinople itself. Leo III made brilliant defense moves to stop the invaders. His military forces attacked the Arabs from the advance successfully while naval forces were repelled with Greek Fire. Greek Fire was the empires enigma weapon that may have saved them from the Arab siege. Arab ships would burst into flames from contact with the liquified fire. Fighting continued for a year until the Arabs retreated. Constantinople was defended successfully, but the empire suffered life-threatening losses and continued to loose land. The era from about 1025 to 1453 witnessed the Byzantine Empire in its ultimate destruction.