Fall of Constantinople :: World History

Fall of ConstantinopleBy 350 A.D., Constantinople was one of the worlds greatest capitals. The city was locate between Asia and Europe, making it a very diverse and strategic place. The some bodies of water surrounding the peninsula gave Constantinople many trade routes as well as protection. The famous walls were also built to further strengthen security. Constantinople finally rise to a beautiful city of strength and wealth. Its Greek heritage detached itself from the West with their religion of easternmostern Orthodoxy. Despite the power 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 near the beginning. Justinian ruled the gnarly Empire during its height. His military faced strength from the East that greatly peril his people. The S assanian Empire of Persia was one threat that Byzantines needed to conquer. The Persians endangered eastern lands, so Justinians military prevented any conquest. The Sassanians were defeated and security was before long gained. After his success, Justinian wanted to regain lands the Roman Empire once mixed-up 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 Justinians death. During the early 700s, the Byzantine Empire was in turmoil and chaos. As social lion III took power, Constantinople was being attacked by Avars, Bulgarians, and Arabs. The Arabs from the Middle East were a main concern for Leo III because of their large conquests in the Asia Minor. The Arabs advanced to spread their faith of Islam and look into resources. The Arabs slowly acquired land until their siege on Constantinople itself. Leo III do brilliant defense moves to stop the invaders. His military forces attacked the Arabs from the rear successfully period naval forces were repelled with Greek Fire. Greek Fire was the empires secret weapon that whitethorn have saved them from the Arab siege. Arab ships would burst into flames from contact with the liquid fire. Fighting go along for a year until the Arabs retreated. Constantinople was defended successfully, but the empire suffered heavy losses and keep to loose land. The era from about 1025 to 1453 witnessed the Byzantine Empire in its last-ditch destruction.