The Fall of Constantinople (litho)

The Fall of Constantinople. Constantinople was stormed by the Turks under Mohammed II on the night of 29 May 1453. The emperor Constantine XI Palaeologus made a brave attempt to defend the city, but he had little more than eight thousand men at his disposal, and received no help from the Western powers. An experienced Genoese soldier of fortune, John Justiniani, with four hundred cuirassiers, arrived shortly before the end, and greatly aided the emperor with his courage and advice. But during the last fatal night he was severely wounded, and on his retiring from the walls a panic ensued. The Turks, seizing their opportunity, rushed the fortifications, and with the fall of the city the Byzantine Empire became extinct. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.