Tag Archives: Ottomans

The Siege of Constantinople – An Update

The Sultan decided to concentrate his fire to achieve a greater effect. Remember some of his cannon were so large they they could only fire a round every few hours. He needed what modern commanders would call ‘concentration of effort’. When all cannon were in place the bombardment then continued unabated until the night before the Fall, that is for another forty eight days. Just think what it would have been like to live with the threat of cannon firing at your home all the time. Given that the citizens of Constantinople had never experience this before, you have to recognise how amazing the human spirit is to adapt so quickly in a fight for survival. Continue reading

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Was the Ottoman Empire really history’s longest-lasting empire?

It was one of the most resilient empires in world history, but how did it start? And why did it end? This article was first published in the May 2016 issue of History Revealed Was the Ottoman Empire really history’s … Continue reading

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On the anniversary of the critical battle of Manzikert

On hearing of the approach of a large Byzantine army, the Tukish ruler raised his siege of Aleppo and marched into Anatolia to fight the advancing forces. by Niki Gamm ISTANBUL from Hürriyet Daily News The Seljuk Turks first entered … Continue reading

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Underground cells Ottoman Dungeons

The Anemas Dungeon is more like a prison than a dungeon and was built in Byzantine times to house prisoners who had unsuccessfully revolted against the Byzantine emperor. It is part of the land walls on the west side of … Continue reading

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BBC’s Chronicle – The Fall of Constantinople

Apologies for the repeat but I did not want you to think that I had forgotten this historic day. This video is well worth watching again, or even for the first time :-)…. Here is a little gem and a … Continue reading

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Reviews of Fetih 1453

We highlighted this new movie a few weeks ago and it caused a reasonable amount of debate in the comments section which was probably inevitable. To add to this we now have some artictic reviews which may continue the discussion! … Continue reading

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Byzantium and Islam Age of Transition March 14–July 8, 2012

This new exhibition in New Yorks’ Metropolitan Museum looks like it will be a cracker. If you are in the city over the next few months do visit and tell us what you think. From the Met’s site …. The … Continue reading

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Turkey: epic movie highlights Ottoman conquest

This is bound to cause more controversy! From The Boston Globe Turkey is on a roll these days, uplifted by economic growth and regional diplomacy. Now comes a film to boost the feel-good mood, an epic about the 15th century … Continue reading

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Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence

This week the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul came to Britain on a successful three day State Visit. Turkey is a rising power and this was demonstrated in a number of ways this week. Perhaps the two most relevant being its … Continue reading

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Hungary celebrates 555 years of decisive victory over Turks

Hungary is celebrating a decisive victory over the Ottoman Empire more than 500 years ago, which is still remembered in Catholic countries by the ringing of church bells after the Turks had captured Constantinople. from Digital Journal The Hungarian Parliament … Continue reading

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Turkey marks the 558th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople

Some very colourful images from this year’s celebrations … and some very silly false moustaches!

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Days that live in Infamy: The Fall of Constantinople

Faced with the certainty of death it is said that experienced soldiers are ready to make that last leap into the fray, knowing that they have only one fate. A man schooled in princely duties such as Constantine XI Dragases … Continue reading

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“Better Turks than Latins!” – The Aftermath and the New City

So the end of the Roman Empire and of its Emperors had come at last. The Roman Empire of the East, which we now call Byzantium had lasted (if you start at the founding of Constantinople) for one thousand, one … Continue reading

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The Final Hours and Last Eucharist

A very busy time at work of late has mean that I have not been able to keep up with the blog as well as I would have liked. To cap it all I go away just as the siege … Continue reading

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The Siege Update – Moving the Navy by Road

We need to catch up a little on the siege which has been running for over six weeks now and, as we know, is soon to reach its bloody climax.    After the defeat of Baltoglu and his fleet by … Continue reading

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