1. Whoops, Left a Gate Open
Despite the superior numbers and firepower, Constantinople was not quick to fall. The city had survived the siege for two months when discontent began to spread among the Ottomans, with Mehmed’s Grand Vizier publicly criticizing the cost of the war effort. Then, a miracle (for the Ottomans) happened: someone left a gate open into the city, allowing the soldiers to walk right in, literally. To this day, historians aren’t sure how or why the gate was left open; if it was a raiding party returning to the city or a repair crew attempting to shore up a door. Regardless of the cause, it was the moment of fatal error that led to the fall of Constantinople.
Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
“42 Epic Facts About Constantinople”, Kyle Climans, Factinate. October 22, 2018.
“10 Things You May Not Know About Constantinople”, Evan Andrews, History. June 2, 2016.
“Constantinople” Wikipedia contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. April 2019.
