History CSI: Byzantine Empire Collapse (Ottoman Empire Preview)

Directions: Inspect and carefully observe the following “crime scene,” a collection of primary

and secondary sources, that tell how the Byzantine Empire Collapsed. Take notes on your provided History CSI “Investigator” worksheet.

Who were the Byzantines?

Emperor Constantine I moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople in about 330. About 100 years later, The Roman empire in the West fell and the Roman Empire in the East, became known as “Byzantium,” its people were called Byzantines. Its people went on to form a civilization based on a blend of Greek, Roman and Christian ideas.The Byzantine empire thrived for centuries for a number of reasons. Constantinople was a mighty fortress that needed few soldiers to defend it, which left other soldiers free to expand further West and protect other areas of the empire.

Clue One

Dearest Family, May 29, 1453I know this siege on our city has lasted for far too long. I hardly remember the days when we weren’t being bombarded from cannons, and the fortress outside of our city wall seems to attract more and more Ghazi soldiers every day. I look around at our city now, and remember the once bustling streets only a few years ago, but now our population as plummeted, in a city where hundreds of thousands of people once lived on 50, 000 remain.

Today the shots of cannons are heard less and less, and more I hear the raucous cheers of Mehmed’s army outside. Today they will seige over the city walls, and I fear what they might do next. I will try to escape to Greece with what food I can over night.

Your Loving Son,

Critus

Clue 2

Dearest Family,We have tried to take the Byzantine walled city of Constantinople seven times now, and every time results in utter failure. I will not fail now. Some people doubt me, and under their breath I hear them remind me of my age. I might only be 21, but I have been called and this is my duty. I have surrounded the city by sea and by land. I’ve cut off supplies entering the city and closed off the Golden Horn. We’ve even been able to stretch some of the lighter cargo ships inland, using a convoy of rolling logs. Today I will take the title that I’ve desired for years, the new “Caesar of Rome.”

Mehmed II

Clue 2

Video Clue

Clue 3Dear Pinkah, September, 1430

Living within these city walls of Constantinople lately has made me recount the days when the good king cherished our service as military men and rewarded us land that we could farm and make hopes for our own future. They feel so confident behind these walls that no one dare to interfere with them. But more often, I’m reminded how these walls take away my opportunity to own land and farm. The king sees little use in employing soldiers to maintain the front, because they have such faith in order borders and defensive, walled protection.

It seems that king is now growing worrisome about this Mehmed character. He’s asking farmers to reenlist. I still have no land, and now the king wants my service but with no reward. Why is it that I should feel loyalty and be bound to my king, when my service to him when he cuts services to provide land to farmers like myself? I like many others, refuse to participate in such a charade. If the dear king valued our service he’d be more indebted to us. Until then, he can protect the borders himself!

Your Friend,

Janus

“For you, the treasures and the prisoners are enough. The buildings are mine! - Fatih Memed II

Primary Source: Kritovoulos

Background: The Greek historian Kritovoulos was not present at the final siege of Constantinople in 1453. He entered the service of the Turkish sultan Mehmed the Conqueror shortly thereafter. The sultan appointed him governor of the island of Imbros.

His account of the city's fall reflects his contradictory feelings about the event, in that he openly admired the sultan's military ability (which he called "in no way inferior to those of Alexander the Macedonian"), while lamenting the final disappearance of the Byzantine Empire.

This document relates the events of the fall of Constantinople, from Mehmed's speech to his troops on the eve of battle to the death of the Emperor Constantine and the sack of the city. Kritovoulos recognized that readers would question the accuracy of his account.

stressed: "I have already labored hard, for I was not a witness of the events, to know the exact truth about these things. In writing the history, I have at the same time inquired of those who knew, and have examined carefully into how it all happened."

Mehmet’s Speech after claiming the Constantinople: Kritovoulos, c. 1453

§ 194. "And the greatest of all is this, that you will capture a city whose renown has gone out to all parts of the world. It is evident that to whatever extent the leadership and glory of this city has spread, to a like extent the renown of your valor and bravery will spread for having captured by assault a city such as this. But think: what deed more brilliant, what greater enjoyment, or what inheritance of wealth better than that presented to you, along with honor and glory!

§ 195. "And, best of all, we shall demolish a city that has been hostile to us from the beginning and is constantly growing at our expense and in every way plotting against our rule. So for the future we shall be sure of guarding our present belongings and shall live in complete and assured peace, after getting rid of our neighboring enemies. We shall also open the way to further conquest.

Free Trade, No taxes forever COUPON

Dearest Venetian Lords and Brothers, c. 1080

Thank you for fending off those brutish Vikings. We did not have enough men, supplies, nor ammunitions. We are grateful and indebted to you. In return for your assistance, we open our ports to, with of course, no tax or fee. We are so grateful in fact, that the Consul has decided that you may do any trade within the Byzantine empire, for free!

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