Constantinople was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. Throughout the medieval ages, it was renowned for its power and splendour. Covetous of its riches, many eastern and western powers sought the city for themselves. But despite countless attacks, Constantinople stood firm and survived for over 1,000 years. It fell once in 1204 due to disunity which allowed the enemy to exploit a weakness in its defences. Only the Ottomans managed to conquer Constantinople in 1453. They did so by ushering in a new age of warfare; the age of gunpowder. In this article I shall outline the reasons that made Constantinople so difficult to take.
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