Many historians view 1453 as the boundary between the medieval and modern eras.
A Genoese mercenary who commanded the land defenses until he was mortally wounded.
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a "watershed moment" that ended the nearly 1,500-year Roman/Byzantine legacy and established the as a major world power. Core Siege Facts Dates: April 6 – May 29, 1453 (53-day siege). Key Figures:
The Ottomans fielded roughly 80,000 to 130,000 troops (including the elite Janissaries) against a vastly outnumbered defense force of only about 7,000 to 8,000 soldiers. Strategic Turning Points
The Ottomans used massive cannons, such as the "Royal One" (or Basilica), to relentlessly batter the ancient Theodosian Walls, which had been impenetrable for centuries.