BATTLE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
History
Constantinople , it stood for centuries, under siege from several
different civilizations mainly the Ottoman Turks. Constantinople (which was
part of the Byzantine Empire) was extremely
heavily fortified and was basically impenetrable; having walls over 100 feet
high and 30 feet thick this fort was extremely well built by the Byzantines
which already had a large empire by the 13th and 14th
centuries. Constantinople
was not only impenetrable fr 20120b123u om an attack by land it was built on a coast and
the Byzantine navy was also very strong. If Constantinople was under attack from
land it could easily be supplied to by sea. Not only was the navies fleet powerful they had a secret weapon: Greek
Fire made of a substance unknown to this day, Greek fire defeated an Arab fleet
sent to destroy the Byzantine navy, it was most probably made from asphalt
products and a flammable liquid like gum arabia. Constantinople
was a very rich trade route and attracted a lot of envy and animosity. The
Ottoman Turks had tried attacking the walls of Constantinople
for several centries but to no avail. The next time they returned, though would be the last, not for the Turks
but for the Empire of the Byzantines. They returned to the walls of Constantinople
with two key features; a Turkish Sultan named Mehmet II and a new weapon of the
age: gunpowder and cannons. The giant
walls of Constantinople where battered by
cannon fire for eight weeks until they finally fell on May 29, 1453. Elite Turkish Janissaries now lead an easy
assault on the city of Constantinople.
The proud Byzantine navy also fell to the Turkish army, which sailed a large
navy fleet and successfully defeated the Byzantines. The great city had now
come to an end and so too did the great and proud Byzantine
Empire. With the fall of Constantinople
to the Ottoman Turks they had not only acquired a great trade route and more
territory they had captured a city which was regarded as impossible to defeat.
The key success to the
victory on the side of the Ottoman Turks was mainly due to the fact that
although Constantinople had great walls it had a small army and its
inhabitants; the villagers and peasants relied on the walls to defend them, so
basically the Byzantines where fighting with villagers and peasants and we
could all imagine that they did put up a great and brave fight. Other key features/success of the attack
include the fact that the Turks had Cannon and gunpowder which meant a much
more powerful attack against the 30 feet thick walls. Constantinople
still stands to this day although it is only ruins. Some of the
walls still stand as we can see in some history documentaries. 
The
Byzantine Empire through the ages.
Scenario Instructions
Relive the famous battle of
Constantinople either leading the Ottoman Turks into a successful battle to
capture the city of Constantinople
or change history and be the Byzantines and successfully ward off the attacking
Turks.
If you choose the Turks then
here are some tips: Firstly you should
use some scouts and find the weakest part of the wall to attack, that is to say
a weakly defended section to attack. Once the weakest part of the wall is found you should probably lead some
Bombard Cannons to attack it from a distance this will ensure that you wont lose many units you should also place some Heavy Camels
and Elite Janissaries near the Bombard Cannons to defend them from a Byzantine
attack. Once a section of the wall has fell you should now be able to lead some Heavy Camels and
Elite Janissaries to finish off Constantinople
until they surrender or completely destroy the city; the fate of the city is
completely in your hands. You also have a navy which firstly must destroy the
Byzantine navy you must destroy the navy for the complete victory over the
Byzantines. Once the Byzantine navy is destroyed you can now focus your attack
on the coastal buildings and settlements.
If on the other hand you
chose to go the Byzantines you should let them attack you first as you have the
protection on the walls and hopefully they either retreat or lose a lot of
units and then you may be able to defeat them.
I suggest you go the Turks
as this was the case back then; the Turks are meant to attack Constantinople
and defeat the Byzantines. Once you have
been the Turks defeating the Byzantines, you may however like to try being the
Byzantines and defending the great city.
Thank you and I hope you
have fun playing/judging my scenario.
