The fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 marked a turning point in history, the last remnant of the great Western Roman Empire had fallen. While the Byzantine Empire had survived for over a 1000 years and had survived countless invasions, but by the 14th and 15th centaury it had become weakened by , defeats in wars, economic problems, and religious divisions.

During the 15th centaury, the Ottoman Empire, who had been gaining  power over the past centaury’s and had taken large amounts of territory, set their sights on the Byzantine Empire and its capital, Constantinople. The final siege of Constantinople began on April 6, 1453, with the Ottoman army led by Sultan Mehmed I. The Ottoman Army had over 100,000-130,000 troops along with numerous amount of artillery which would prove vital in the siege. The Byzantine defenders were severely outnumbered and despite their valiant resistance, the Ottomans breached the city’s wall which led to violent battle inside the city which saw the Byzantine citizens and defenders either being killed or taken as prisoners.

The last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI, fought alongside his troops in the battle but in the end he was killed. After the city fell, the Ottomans claimed victory, and the course of history was forever changed. The Ottoman Empire would  go on wage wars against European countries and effect the lives of the millions of citizens it ruler over. It also gave Islam the opportunity  to spread to eastern Europe. Today, countries like Bosnia, Kosovo, and Albania have large Muslim populations because of this historical event.