List of sieges of Constantinople

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The 1453 Siege of Constantinople (painted 1499)

There were several sieges of Constantinople during the history of the Byzantine Empire. Two of them resulted in the capture of Constantinople from Byzantine rule: in 1204 by Crusaders, and in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire under Mehmed II.

Persian and Arab Sieges of Constantinople

Sieges by Bulgaria and the Rus'

  • The Bulgarian siege by Krum in 813
  • The siege by the Rus' in 860
  • The siege by the Rus' in 904 (some sources 907)
  • The siege by the Rus' in 941

Sieges and attacks during civil wars

Crusades

  • The first siege by the Fourth Crusade in 1203, in which Alexius IV was able to usurp the throne after Alexius III fled to Thrace.
  • The successful second siege by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, in which the Byzantines were overwhelmed and the Capital thoroughly sacked.

Nicaean sieges

  • An unsuccessful attempt in 1235, by Bulgarian and Nicaean forces, to retake the city.
  • An attack on Constantinople is implied by George Akropolites's account for 1248, but no details are known.
  • An unsuccessful siege of Constantinople and Galata, in January-April 1260.
  • In 1261, a small force of Nicaean troops under Alexios Strategopoulos gained entry into the poorly defended Latin capital, ending the Latin Empire and restoring Byzantine rule to the City. Most Latin troops defending the city were absent on campaign, and the Emperor fled without putting up any resistance; there was no siege.

Ottoman sieges

  • An Ottoman blockade between 1390–1402, first interrupted by the Crusade of Nicopolis, then lifted due to the Battle of Ankara.

See also

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