24. The Fall of Constantinople

In this episode of the "Empire" podcast, the hosts explore the dramatic fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent rise of the Ottoman Empire. They begin by acknowledging a former guest before diving into Sir Stephen Runciman's account of the siege. The discussion highlights the city's decline and Emperor Michael Palaeologus's desperate attempts to find allies. The hosts elaborate on the Ottoman's siege strategies, including the groundbreaking use of Orban's massive cannon and the clever maneuvering of ships over land, which ultimately led to the city's capture and three days of pillaging. The episode wraps up by reflecting on the profound and lasting effects of this event on global politics and the historical significance of the siege. Notably, they describe Orban's colossal cannon that could launch a 1200-pound projectile a mile, illustrating a pivotal technological shift in warfare.