History UsefulNotes / TheFallOfConstantinople

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', Constantine XI is one of the playable Servants under the "Rider" class, with his personal [[LimitBreak Noble Phantasm]] representing his LastStand defending the gates of Constantinople. It conceptually is doomed to fall or be breached eventually since that's what happened in real life, which is shown in his main story appearance as Minamoto no Tametomo manages to snipe through the defenses to strike Pope Johanna...only for Constantine to [[TakingTheBullet push her aside and take the shot in her stead]]. In the end, the fatally-wounded Constantine [[HistoryRepeats ends up reenacting the fall of Constantinople for real]] with the most of the loyal Servants still by his side as they fight a losing battle against the overwhelming forces of Kriemhild overrunning their base long enough for Johanna to escape with a few select Servants, something he muses on in his final moments.

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', Constantine XI is one of the playable Servants under the "Rider" class, with his personal [[LimitBreak Noble Phantasm]] representing his LastStand defending the gates of Constantinople. It conceptually is doomed to fall or be breached eventually since that's what happened in real life, which is shown in his main story appearance as Minamoto no Tametomo manages to snipe him from afar by finding the one weak spot to aim at.

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 since it was finishing UsefulNotes/{{the Hundred Years War}} and recovering from TheBlackDeath, although there was some which distinguished itself--still, the city [[HonorBeforeReason refused to submit]]. In addition to their vast numbers, the Ottomans also had massive siege cannons at their disposal; this was one of the first major campaigns that used gunpowder along with the aforementioned Hundred Years War. Despite all these advantages, Constantinople was a tough nut to crack. Assault after assault was repelled. The Turks even dragged a number of galleys across the land to dominate the harbor in an expert maneuver. Finally, the Turks breached the walls and swarmed into the city. The last Emperor, ironically named Constantine XI[[note]]the first Constantine established Constantinople as the capital of the Empire[[/note]], [[DyingMomentOfAwesome died fighting]]. As was customary the Turks [[RapePillageAndBurn 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. It's said that Mehmet had been planning to give his men three days to loot, but out of fear of it getting out of hand (this was to be his new capital after all, meaning he still needed it in a functional state), called it off early. After this Constantinople became the capital of the Ottoman Empire, the city was virtually depopulated after the conquest, but rapidly recovered, and would once again obtain its former status as the world's largest city.

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 since it was finishing UsefulNotes/{{the Hundred Years War}} and recovering from TheBlackDeath, although there was some which distinguished itself--still, the city [[HonorBeforeReason refused to submit]]. In addition to their vast numbers, the Ottomans also had massive siege cannons at their disposal; this was one of the first major campaigns that used gunpowder along with the aforementioned Hundred Years War. Despite all these advantages, Constantinople was a tough nut to crack. Assault after assault was repelled. The Turks even dragged a number of galleys across the land to dominate the harbor in an expert maneuver. Finally, the Turks breached the walls and swarmed into the city. The last Emperor, ironically named Constantine XI[[note]]the first Constantine established Constantinople as the capital of the Empire[[/note]], [[DyingMomentOfAwesome died fighting]]. As was customary the Turks [[RapePillageAndBurn 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, the city was virtually depopulated after the conquest, but rapidly recovered, and would once again obtain its former status as the world's largest city.

The City of Constantinople (nowadays' UsefulNotes/{{Istanbul}}) was the capital of what is now known by historians as the [[UsefulNotes/ByzantineEmpire "Byzantine Empire"]]. This was a direct successor of UsefulNotes/TheRomanEmpire, and as such is sometimes called the Eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantines were known for their preservation of some of the [[OlderIsBetter "Lore of the Ancients,"]] including technological achievements, high literacy and a reputation for artistic craftsmanship, having innate advantages due to their superior political stability. They were also strong defenders of Greek UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity. They were a potent military force; not as exotic as a stereotypically medieval ProudWarriorRace, but quite professional with a well-earned reputation for strategic and political skill. While seldom strong enough to think of expansion, the Byzantine Empire managed to endure for several centuries. However, Constantinople slowly fell into decline. In 1204, [[UsefulNotes/TheCrusades the Fourth Crusade]] captured and [[RapePillageAndBurn pillaged]] the city. They occupied Constantinople for several years until the city was retaken in a coup by the Greek warlord Michael Palaiologos, a descendant of the Angelos family who the Crusaders had deposed, who declared himself TheEmperor of the restored Byzantine Empire, now effectively little more then a LandOfOneCity. There was for a few generations a minor Renaissance in the City, but its time was soon to come to an end.

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 since it was finishing UsefulNotes/{{the Hundred Years War}} and recovering from TheBlackDeath, although there was some which distinguished itself. Still, the city [[HonorBeforeReason refused to submit]]. In addition to their vast numbers, the Ottomans also had massive siege cannons at their disposal; this was one of the first major campaigns that used gunpowder along with the aforementioned Hundred Years War. Despite all these advantages, Constantinople was a tough nut to crack. Assault after assault was repelled. The Turks even dragged a number of galleys across land to dominate the harbor in an expert maneuver. Finally the Turks breeched the walls and swarmed into the city. The last Emperor, ironically named Constantine XI[[note]]the first Constantine established Constantinople as the capital of the Empire[[/note]], [[DyingMomentOfAwesome died fighting]]. As was customary the Turks [[RapePillageAndBurn 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. The city was virtually depopulated after the conquest, but rapidly recovered, and would once again obtain its former status as the world's largest city.

* While ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedRevelations'' takes place almost six decades after the fall of Constantinople, the city's past is still felt here and there, while the name "Istanbul" is becoming increasingly popular among the city's folks. Some Byzantine [[TheRemnant remnants]] led by Manuel Palaiologos are still eager to fight and reconquer their ancestors' lands, and have embraced the Templar cause. Opposing them are the Janissaries of Sultan Bayezid II and of course the Assassins, led by Ezio Auditore.