The political, historical, and civilizational significance of the captureof Constantinople by the Turks (according to Western sources)

Research article

Abstract

There have been many major global political processes and historical events in the history of mankind that have changed the course of development of the largest civilizations. One of these events was the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453 and the fall of the Byzantine Empire, which was considered the gateway between the medieval West and the East. The military actions for the capture of Constantinople began on April 6, 1453 and ended on May 29 with the capture of the city by the Ottoman army. The capture of Constantinople marked the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire and the end of an era in the history of culture and civilization. Therefore, this topic is always considered relevant. The capture of Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium, a major center of world culture and civilization, by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II on May 29, 1453 marked the beginning of a new historical period in this geography. Although the capture of the city was the result of a military war, its historical and civilizational significance was enormous. Over the years, various theories and scientific concepts have been formed in historical science regarding the capture of Constantinople and the fall of Byzantium. One of the most important events has been described as "the brutal destruction of the city by the Turks and the destruction of the Byzantine culture and civilization that had developed over thousands of years." However, new concepts and theories are currently emerging in historical science that move away from such biased views and positions and become the basis for writing true history. New research now shows that there was interaction between the Turks and Byzantine rulers on the eve of the capture of Constantinople by the Turks and the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the reasons for which are explained by various factors. One important reason for this is that the Turks repeatedly defended Byzantium from outside forces. Although the Turks captured Constantinople, Western historians describe it as a protector of the Christian peoples that were formerly part of Byzantium from outside forces. The article examines the political, historical, cultural and civilizational significance of the capture of Constantinople by the Turks based on Western sources. The prerequisites and reasons for the fall of Byzantium, as well as its course and results, are considered from a cultural point of view. The works of medieval European chroniclers and humanists contain valuable historical information about the fall of the city and the fate of Byzantium. A new scientific analysis of the findings of modern European historians and scholars working on this problem is carried out, and on this basis the historical, cultural and civilizational significance of the topic will be revealed.