The Byzantine Empire collapsed in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire led by Mehmed II. Letters from a resident of Constantinople and Mehmed himself describe the dire situation in the besieged city and Mehmed's determination to take the city. The Byzantine Empire had once been powerful but had declined as the Ottoman Empire grew stronger, cutting off supplies to Constantinople and weakening its defenses. Mehmed launched a successful final assault, conquering Constantinople and marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.

1. History CSI: Byzantine Empire
Collapse (Ottoman Empire Preview)
Directions: Inspect and carefully observe the
following “crime scene,” a collection of primary
and secondary sources, that tell how the
Byzantine Empire Collapsed. Take notes on your
provided History CSI “Investigator” worksheet.

2. Who were the Byzantines?
Emperor Constantine I moved the capital of the Roman
Empire from Rome to Constantinople in about 330.
About 100 years later, The Roman empire in the West fell
and the Roman Empire in the East, became known as
“Byzantium,” its people were called Byzantines. Its
people went on to form a civilization based on a blend of
Greek, Roman and Christian ideas.
The Byzantine empire thrived for centuries for a number
of reasons. Constantinople was a mighty fortress that
needed few soldiers to defend it, which left other soldiers
free to expand further West and protect other areas of
the empire.

3. Clue One
Dearest Family, May 29, 1453
I know this siege on our city has lasted for far too long. I hardly remember
the days when we weren’t being bombarded from cannons, and the fortress
outside of our city wall seems to attract more and more Ghazi soldiers every
day. I look around at our city now, and remember the once bustling streets
only a few years ago, but now our population as plummeted, in a city where
hundreds of thousands of people once lived on 50, 000 remain.
Today the shots of cannons are heard less and less, and more I hear the
raucous cheers of Mehmed’s army outside. Today they will seige over the city
walls, and I fear what they might do next. I will try to escape to Greece with
what food I can over night.
Your Loving Son,
Critus

4. Clue 2
Dearest Family,
We have tried to take the Byzantine walled city of
Constantinople seven times now, and every time results in
utter failure. I will not fail now. Some people doubt me, and
under their breath I hear them remind me of my age. I might
only be 21, but I have been called and this is my duty.
I have surrounded the city by sea and by land. I’ve cut off
supplies entering the city and closed off the Golden Horn.
We’ve even been able to stretch some of the lighter cargo
ships inland, using a convoy of rolling logs. Today I will take
the title that I’ve desired for years, the new “Caesar of Rome.”
Mehmed II

10. Clue 2

13. Video Clue

15. Clue 3
Dear Pinkah, September, 1430
Living within these city walls of Constantinople lately has made me recount the days
when the good king cherished our service as military men and rewarded us land that
we could farm and make hopes for our own future. They feel so confident behind
these walls that no one dare to interfere with them. But more often, I’m reminded
how these walls take away my opportunity to own land and farm. The king sees little
use in employing soldiers to maintain the front, because they have such faith in order
borders and defensive, walled protection.
It seems that king is now growing worrisome about this Mehmed character. He’s
asking farmers to reenlist. I still have no land, and now the king wants my service but
with no reward. Why is it that I should feel loyalty and be bound to my king, when my
service to him when he cuts services to provide land to farmers like myself? I like
many others, refuse to participate in such a charade. If the dear king valued our
service he’d be more indebted to us. Until then, he can protect the borders himself!
Your Friend,
Janus

16. “For you, the treasures and the prisoners are enough. The buildings are
mine! - Fatih Memed II

17. Primary Source: Kritovoulos
Background: The Greek historian Kritovoulos was not present at the final siege of
Constantinople in 1453. He entered the service of the Turkish sultan Mehmed the
Conqueror shortly thereafter. The sultan appointed him governor of the island of
Imbros.
His account of the city's fall reflects his contradictory feelings about the event, in that
he openly admired the sultan's military ability (which he called "in no way inferior to
those of Alexander the Macedonian"), while lamenting the final disappearance of the
Byzantine Empire.
This document relates the events of the fall of Constantinople, from Mehmed's speech
to his troops on the eve of battle to the death of the Emperor Constantine and the
sack of the city. Kritovoulos recognized that readers would question the accuracy of his
account.
stressed: "I have already labored hard, for I was not a witness of the events, to know
the exact truth about these things. In writing the history, I have at the same time
inquired of those who knew, and have examined carefully into how it all happened."

18. Mehmet’s Speech after claiming the
Constantinople: Kritovoulos, c. 1453
§ 194. "And the greatest of all is this, that you will capture a city whose
renown has gone out to all parts of the world. It is evident that to
whatever extent the leadership and glory of this city has spread, to a
like extent the renown of your valor and bravery will spread for having
captured by assault a city such as this. But think: what deed more
brilliant, what greater enjoyment, or what inheritance of wealth better
than that presented to you, along with honor and glory!
§ 195. "And, best of all, we shall demolish a city that has been hostile
to us from the beginning and is constantly growing at our expense and
in every way plotting against our rule. So for the future we shall be
sure of guarding our present belongings and shall live in complete and
assured peace, after getting rid of our neighboring enemies. We shall
also open the way to further conquest.

19. Free Trade, No taxes forever COUPON
Dearest Venetian Lords and Brothers, c. 1080
Thank you for fending off those brutish Vikings. We
did not have enough men, supplies, nor
ammunitions. We are grateful and indebted to you.
In return for your assistance, we open our ports to,
with of course, no tax or fee. We are so grateful in
fact, that the Consul has decided that you may do
any trade within the Byzantine empire, for free!
Offer expires: Never