The fall of Constantinople

[thids]

It's that time of the year again, when we remember one of the greatest tragedies to ever hit the western civilization. The fall of Constantinople and the end of the Roman Empire in 1453.

I know the countless hordes of the impious will advance against us, according to their custom, violently, confidently and with great courage and force in order to overwhelm and wear out our few defenders with hardship. They attempt to frighten us with loud yells and innumerable battle cries. For a long time they will continue so and will also release over us countless rocks, all sorts of arrows and missiles, like the sand of the sea.

Since he started the siege and the blockade, every day he opens his fathomless mouth and is seeking an opportunity to devour us and this city, which thrice-blessed Constantine the Great founded and dedicated to the all holy most chaste Mother of God, our lad, Mar the eternal virgin. She became the Queen of Cities, the shield and aid of our homeland, the shelter of Christians, the hope and joy of all wishes to destroy this city, which was once proud and blooming like a rose of the field.

Consider then, my brother and comrades in arms, how the commemoration of our death, our memory, fame and freedom can be rendered eternal

[chad878262]

Thanks for this Thids, interesting stuff.

[Xanfyrst]

Is it though? Without its fall, we wouldn't have gotten the Renaissance as all the brainpower of the Byzantine Empire fled to Italy, bringing alongside them vast amount of knowledge that the Western world had forgotten at that time... and it was the catalyst that brought us modern science.

[Invoker]

I have successfully defended what was left of the Byzantine Empire in countless simulations, for countless years.

Outnumbered, outdated troops (catafract cavalry in the desert...) fighting to protect a decadent, dying empire...there is literally nothing I enjoy more.

[chad878262]

A positive outcome coming from a tragedy doesn't change the tragedy itself from being such. There are many examples of positive changes that come, or may come from lesser tragedies today. More focus on making schools safe doesn't make it less tragic that children are dying far too often in school shootings. Startbucks closing down for Racial Bias awareness training doesn't make it right to have men arrested for something as simple as being in the cafe when asked to leave. Were those men in the right? No, but nor did they deserve to be arrested, could have been handled differently.

Point is, outcome being positive doesn't mean an act itself is any less wrong or tragic.

[thids]

Is it though? Without its fall, we wouldn't have gotten the Renaissance as all the brainpower of the Byzantine Empire fled to Italy, bringing alongside them vast amount of knowledge that the Western world had forgotten at that time... and it was the catalyst that brought us modern science.

That's a bit of a stretch though, don't you think? By that logic one could claim that the crusaders who sacked the city some 250 years earlier and massacred its population were in truth visionaries and heroes, who paved the way for the modern age.

[aaron22]

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

[Nyeleni]

Is it though? Without its fall, we wouldn't have gotten the Renaissance as all the brainpower of the Byzantine Empire fled to Italy, bringing alongside them vast amount of knowledge that the Western world had forgotten at that time... and it was the catalyst that brought us modern science.

That's a bit of a stretch though, don't you think? By that logic one could claim that the crusaders who sacked the city some 250 years earlier and massacred its population were in truth visionaries and heroes, who paved the way for the modern age.

That is not exactly true either. The Renaissance started a century earlier in Italy.

[Pan-some]

The Renaissance.................Birth of Edomite Jesus?

[Darradarljod]

Hidden: show

The final speech of Emperor Constantine XI, the last Byzantine emperor, which he delivered to the Greek and Italian soldiers (Venetians and Genoese) before dying on the battlefield:

“Gentlemen, illustrious captains of the army, and our most Christian comrades in arms: we now see the hour of battle approaching. I have therefore elected to assemble you here to make it clear that you must stand together with firmer resolution than ever. You have always fought with glory against the enemies of Christ. Now the defence of your fatherland and of the city known the world over, which the infidel and evil Turks have been besieging for two and fifty days, is committed to your lofty spirits.

Be not afraid because its walls have been worn down by the enemy's battering. For your strength lies in the protection of God and you must show it with your arms quivering and your swords brandished against the enemy. I know that this undisciplined mob will, as is their custom, rush upon you with loud cries and ceaseless volleys of arrows. These will do you no bodily harm, for I see that you are well covered in armour. They will strike the walls, our breastplates and our shields. So do not imitate the Romans who, when the Carthaginians went into battle against them, allowed their cavalry to be terrified by the fearsome sight and sound of elephants.

In this battle you must stand firm and have no fear, no thought of flight, but be inspired to resist with ever more herculean strength. Animals may run away from animals. But you are men, men of stout heart, and you will hold at bay these dumb brutes, thrusting your spears and swords into them, so that they will know that they are fighting not against their own kind but against the masters of animals.

You are aware that the impious and infidel enemy has disturbed the peace unjustly. He has violated the oath and treaty that he made with us; he has slaughtered our farmers at harvest time; he has erected a fortress on the Propontis as it were to devour the Christians; he has encircled Galata under a pretence of peace.

Now he threatens to capture the city of Constantine the Great, your fatherland, the place of ready refuge for all Christians, the guardian of all Greeks, and to profane its holy shrines of God by turning them into stables for fits horses. Oh my lords, my brothers, my sons, the everlasting honour of Christians is in your hands.

You men of Genoa, men of courage and famous for your infinite victories, you who have always protected this city, your mother, in many a conflict with the Turks, show now your prowess and your aggressive spirit toward them with manly vigour.

You men of Venice, most valiant heroes, whose swords have many a time made Turkish blood to flow and who in our time have sent so many ships, so many infidel souls to the depths under the command of Loredano, the most excellent captain of our fleet, you who have adorned this city as if it were your own with fine, outstanding men, lift high your spirits now for battle.

You, my comrades in arms, obey the commands of your leaders in the knowledge that this is the day of your glory -- a day on which, if you shed but a drop of blood, you will win for yourselves crowns of martyrdom and eternal fame.”

- Constantine XI Palaiologos, Last Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, 1453

[Mac]

It was the Bubonic Plague or Black Death (1347-1350) that made the Italian Renaissance possible. Sometimes less is more and the Socio-Economic consequences of the plague on Italian society were huge. Anyway... what happened, This forum turn in to the history channel all of a sudden?

[Lanzlo]

So, it's Constantinople, not Istanbul?