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The City of Constantinople was the capital of what is known by historians as the "Byzantine" empire. This was a direct successor of The Roman Empire. The Byzantines were known for their preservation of some of the "Lore of the Ancients" including technological achievement, high literacy and a reputation for artistic craftsmanship, having innate advantages due to their superior political stability. They were also strong defenders of Greek Orthodox Christianity. They were a potent military force; not as exotic as a stereotypically medieval Proud Warrior Race, around but quite professional and helped by a well-earned reputation for strategic and political skill. While seldom strong enough to think of expansion the Byzantine Empire could usually survive. However they slowly fell into decline. In the 1200's the Fourth Crusade attacked and Pillaged the city. They stayed for several years until the city was retaken in a coup by the Greek warlord Michael Palaiologos who declared himself The Emperor of the restored Byzantine Empire, now effectively little more then a Land of One City. There was for a few generations a minor Renaissance in the City, but its time was soon to come to an end.
In the meantime more Turkish migrants arrived from the steepelands to set themselves up as "ghazis" (something between holy warriors and holy brigands; "Islamic cossacks" if you will). Eventually they took the service of the chieftain Osman and formed what would become the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans expanded and conquered territory until they surrounded Constantinople. An attempt was made to conquer the city but it was frustrated by the coincidental arrival of the Mongol Timur the Lame on the other side of the Ottoman Empire. It would be left to Mehmet II, later known as The Conqueror to finish the job.
The Ottoman forces available outnumbered the entire population of the City, let alone the tiny garrison of soldiers. However the walls of Constantinople were among the most formidable in the world. For this reason many of Mehmet's advisors counseled against the campaign. However Mehmet plodded on. There was little prospect of aid from the West although there was some which distinguished itself. Still the city refused to submit. The Ottomans, besides their vast numbers had giant siege cannons; this was one of the first famous campaigns that used gunpowder. Despite all these advantages Constantinople was a tough nut to crack. Assault after assault was repealed. The Turks even dragged a number of galleys across land to dominate the harbor in a maneuver that is famed as a Crowning Moment of Awesome. Finally the Turks breeched the walls and swarmed into the city. The last Emperor, ironically named Constantine XI*, died fighting. As was customary the Turks sacked much of the city but fortunately the layout of the neighborhoods allowed many of the citizens to barricade themselves long enough to negotiate reasonably favorable terms of surrender. After this Constantinople became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.
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