The 1453 Siege of Constantinople (painted 1499)

There were at least 11 sieges of Constantinople during the history of the Byzantine Empire. Two sieges resulted in the capture of Constantinople from Byzantine rule: in 1204 by crusaders, and in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire under Mehmed II.

Persian and Arab Sieges of Constantinople

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

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

Sieges by Bulgaria and Rus'

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

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

Crusades

Main article: Fourth Crusade

• The first siege by 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 by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, in which the Byzantines were overwhelmed and the Capital thoroughly sacked.

• An unsuccessful attempt in 1235, by Bulgarian and Nicaean forces, to retake the city.

Nicaean Capture

In 1261, a small force of Nicaean troops sneaked into the poorly defended Latin Capital, ending the Latin Empire, and restoring Greek Rule to the City. The Latin troops defending the city were very small, and the Emperor fled without putting any resistance; there was no siege.

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

See also

• Occupation of Constantinople
• Walls of Constantinople

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