Sieges of Constantinople

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For the final siege of Constantinople, see Fall of Constantinople

There were at least 11 sieges of Constantinople during the history of the Byzantine Empire. Two sieges resulted in the capture of Constantinople from Greek rule: in 1204 by crusaders, and in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire under Mehmed II. One resulted in the capture of Constantinople from Latin (Crusader) rule by the Greeks of Nicaea under Michael VIII Palaiologos.

Contents 1 Persian and Arab Sieges of Constantinople 2 Sieges by the Bulgars and Rus' 3 Crusades 4 Ottoman Sieges 5 See also

[edit] Persian and Arab Sieges of Constantinople

Main articles: Roman-Persian Wars and Byzantine-Arab Wars

• The First Siege of Constantinople by Avars and Sassanid Persians in 626
• The First Arab Siege in 674-678
• The Second Arab Siege in 717-718

[edit] Sieges by the Bulgars and Rus'

Main articles: Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars and Rus'-Byzantine Wars

• The Bulgar siege by Krum in 813
• The siege by the Rus' in 860
• The siege by the Rus' in 941

[edit] Crusades

Main article: Fourth Crusade

• The First Siege of the Fourth Crusade in 1203, in which Alexius IV was able to usurp the throne after Alexius III fled to thrace.
• The successful Second Siege of the Fourth Crusade in 1204, in which the Byzantines were overwhelmed and the Capital thoroughly sacked.

[edit] Ottoman Sieges

Main article: Rise of the Ottoman Empire

• An Ottoman blockade between 1390 - 1402, interrupted first by the Crusade of Nicopolis then successfully so by the Battle of Ankara.

• The First Ottoman Siege of Constantinople (1422)

• The Second Ottoman Siege and Fall of Constantinople in 1453

[edit] See also

• Walls of Constantinople