The central event of the episode: a 53-day siege beginning April 6, 1453, culminating on May 29. Mehmed's 150,000 troops and 130 ships faced 7,000 defenders. The decisive breach came when Giustiniani was wounded and his Genoese troops abandoned the walls; Constantine threw off his imperial regalia and disappeared fighting into the breach. Brownworth frames the fall as the end not just of Byzantium but of the Middle Ages themselves.
Also known as: Konstantin
What each episode says
Episode 16 (3 mentions)
The central event of the episode: a 53-day siege beginning April 6, 1453, culminating on May 29. Mehmed's 150,000 troops and 130 ships faced 7,000 defenders. The decisive breach came when Giustiniani was wounded and his Genoese troops abandoned the walls; Constantine threw off his imperial regalia and disappeared fighting into the breach. Brownworth frames the fall as the end not just of Byzantium but of the Middle Ages themselves.
“They came within inches of forcing their way in, but this time, Konstantin himself”
“Konstantin begged him to stay, knowing what would happen if his men saw him leave, but”
“Konstantin, watching from his position, knew that all was now lost.”
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