In 1453 They Moved a War Fleet OVER A HILL… #Shorts
Pack: 36 - In 1453 They Moved a War Fleet OVER A HILL…
In April 1453, a great chain across the Golden Horn kept Sultan Mehmed II's fleet out of Constantinople's harbour. So he went around it: his men hauled about seventy ships overland, on a greased wooden track over the hill behind Galata, and launched them inside the harbour.
- The chain held: the Ottoman fleet attacked it and was driven back twice (Britannica).
- Mehmed had an oiled wooden ramp built from the Bosporus to the Golden Horn (Britannica); the eyewitness Nicolò Barbaro describes a path cleared and greased over the hill beyond Pera (Emecen, History of Istanbul).
- The counts differ: Kritoboulos says 67 ships, Barbaro 72, Doukas about 80; several accounts say some went with sails set (Emecen).
- By April 22, 1453, the ships were past the chain; their appearance was a major surprise and pulled defenders off the land walls (Britannica; Emecen). The city fell on May 29, 1453.
Boldest move of the siege, or overrated? Tell us in the comments. Full story in our documentary, The Full History of Rome.
Quick answers
What is “In 1453 They Moved a War Fleet OVER A HILL…” about?
In April 1453, a great chain across the Golden Horn kept Sultan Mehmed II's fleet out of Constantinople's harbour. So he went around it: his men hauled about seventy ships overland, on a greased wooden track over the hill behind Galata, and launched them inside the harbour.
What are the key facts?
The chain held: the Ottoman fleet attacked it and was driven back twice (Britannica). Mehmed had an oiled wooden ramp built from the Bosporus to the Golden Horn (Britannica); the eyewitness Nicolò Barbaro describes a path cleared and greased over the hill beyond Pera (Emecen, History of Istanbul).
What sources is this Short based on?
It cites Britannica, Fall of Constantinople; Feridun M. Emecen, "The Final Siege and Fall of Constantinople (1453)," History of Istanbul. Links are in the Sources list below.
Sources
- Britannica, Fall of Constantinople
- Feridun M. Emecen, "The Final Siege and Fall of Constantinople (1453)," History of Istanbul
Images
- The siege of Constantinople, BnF Fr. 9087, f. 207v, c. 1455, two details — attributed to Jean Le Tavernier — Public domain —
- Chain links traditionally identified as the Golden Horn boom of 1453, Istanbul Archaeology Museums (cropped) — David Berkowitz — CC BY 2.0 —
- Map of the 1453 siege (schematic) — Shadowfetch Studio — our own work
- The Theodosian Walls in 1453, reconstruction — Shadowfetch Studio (Unreal Engine) — our own work
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