Sultan Mehmet II: Conqueror of Constantinople and Master of an Empire

Sultan Mehmet II, also known as Mehmet the Conqueror, was the seventh Ottoman sultan. He is best known for conquering Constantinople in 1453, which marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the region. Mehmet II was a skilled military leader and a patron of the arts and sciences. He oversaw the construction of many mosques, libraries, and other public works. He also reformed the Ottoman legal system and tax system. Mehmet II's reign marked a turning point in Ottoman history, and he is considered one of the empire's greatest rulers.

The Grand Turk: Sultan Mehmet II-Conqueror of Constantinople and Master of an Empire

by John Freely

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5446 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	351 pages
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Early Life and Rise to Power

Mehmet II was born in Edirne, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, in 1432. He was the son of Sultan Murad II and Huma Hatun, a Byzantine princess. Mehmet II was a precocious child, and he showed an early interest in military affairs. He received a rigorous education in the palace school, and he was fluent in several languages, including Turkish, Arabic, Persian, and Greek.

Mehmet II became sultan in 1451, at the age of 19. He immediately began to prepare for a campaign against Constantinople. The Byzantine Empire had been in decline for centuries, and it was clear that it could not withstand an Ottoman attack. Mehmet II assembled a large army and navy, and he laid siege to Constantinople in April 1453.

The Conquest of Constantinople

The siege of Constantinople lasted for 53 days. The Byzantines fought bravely, but they were outnumbered and outgunned by the Ottomans. Mehmet II used a variety of siege weapons, including cannons and mortars, to break down the city walls. On May 29, 1453, the Ottomans finally breached the walls and entered the city. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI, was killed in the fighting.

The conquest of Constantinople was a major turning point in Ottoman history. It marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, which had been the dominant power in the eastern Mediterranean for over 1,000 years. The conquest also gave the Ottomans control of the Bosporus Strait, which is a key strategic waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

Reign of Mehmet II

After conquering Constantinople, Mehmet II renamed the city Istanbul and made it the new capital of the Ottoman Empire. He also began a program of rebuilding and expansion. He repaired the city walls and built new mosques, palaces, and other public buildings. Mehmet II also patronized the arts and sciences. He established schools and libraries, and he invited scholars and artists from all over the world to come to Istanbul.

Mehmet II also reformed the Ottoman legal system and tax system. He introduced a new law code that was based on Islamic law. He also simplified the tax system and made it more efficient. These reforms helped to strengthen the Ottoman Empire and make it one of the most powerful empires in the world.

Legacy of Mehmet II

Mehmet II died in 1481, at the age of 49. He is considered one of the greatest rulers in Ottoman history. He was a skilled military leader, a patron of the arts and sciences, and a reformer. His reign marked a turning point in Ottoman history, and he laid the foundation for the empire's future success.

Sultan Mehmet II was a complex and fascinating figure. He was a brilliant military leader, a patron of the arts and sciences, and a reformer. His conquest of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the region. Mehmet II's reign was a turning point in Ottoman history, and he is considered one of the empire's greatest rulers.

The Grand Turk: Sultan Mehmet II-Conqueror of Constantinople and Master of an Empire

by John Freely

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5446 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	351 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE