By the mid-fifteenth century, Ottoman-controlled territories had completely enveloped Constantinople. Ottoman expansion at the expense of the Byzantine empire was in fact further aided by the weakness of the heir of Roman glory. Financially exhausted, internally corrupted, and politically separated from the main European powers, the Byzantine empire was simply incapable of offering a coherent and effective defense against the growing Ottoman forces.The city, the Second Rome, capital of a by-then inexistent empire, fell in 1453 after a siege. It is only then the Ottomans began a considerable and rapid shipbuilding program, rising to challenge in the following century Venice in the Mediterranean sea and the Portuguese in the Indian ocean. By conquering Constantinople, however, the Ottomans gained more than some tacit recognition of their power.
Sea Power and the Ottomans in the Early Modern Mediterranean World
GUGLIUZZO C
2018-01-01
Abstract
By the mid-fifteenth century, Ottoman-controlled territories had completely enveloped Constantinople. Ottoman expansion at the expense of the Byzantine empire was in fact further aided by the weakness of the heir of Roman glory. Financially exhausted, internally corrupted, and politically separated from the main European powers, the Byzantine empire was simply incapable of offering a coherent and effective defense against the growing Ottoman forces.The city, the Second Rome, capital of a by-then inexistent empire, fell in 1453 after a siege. It is only then the Ottomans began a considerable and rapid shipbuilding program, rising to challenge in the following century Venice in the Mediterranean sea and the Portuguese in the Indian ocean. By conquering Constantinople, however, the Ottomans gained more than some tacit recognition of their power.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
