Byzantine Empire

The fall of Byzantium with its capital in Constantinople dates back to 1453. It has had a significant impact in various areas: it became the founder of Roman law, the legal system that is the basis for most countries of the world, the system of higher and school education. After all, it was the Byzantine Empire that gave the world the first university. A financial system was created , the existence of which lasted about a thousand years. The foundations of diplomatic art were also laid in the Byzantine Empire. Architecture, art ... This is not a complete list of achievements of the empire, the existence of which lasted one hundred and twenty-five years.

1203 is the year of the fourth crusade. At that time the crusaders already refused to make hikes on foot, so the Venetians were supposed to carry them on ships, but money for this service was not enough. Therefore, the Venetian side proposed instead of payment to take debts from residents of the city of Zadar (a trading city on the Adriatic Sea). The Crusaders agreed and fulfilled this condition, but Zadar's funds were not enough to prevent the Venetians from making any claims. Therefore, they offered to listen to the opinion of Constantinople, in which at that time there was an atmosphere of strife between uncle and nephew - Isaac and Alexei Angels - for a place on the throne.

One of the parties turned to the crusaders, promising a decent amount of money for restoration on the throne. So, the Crusaders, having previously plundered, took Constantinople. The Angel failed to fulfill the promise of paying a large sum, because he simply did not possess the necessary quantity, so the robbery became the answer of the Crusaders. All the shrines of Constantinople, including the shroud of the Lord, were stolen, hundreds of tons of coins, the decoration of churches, works of art. The Byzantine army could not compete with one of the most powerful and powerful at that time army of crusaders, so it could not prevent theft.

Thus, in 1204 there was a final break in the Western and Eastern world. The Byzantine Empire in the eyes of the West is a territory where heretical views and moods reign. But, despite this, foreign traders did not disdain to take the leading place both in the economy of Byzantium, and in its market.

What caused the fall of the empire? The problem that led to the deterioration of the economic situation of Byzantium was the loss of control by the state over money and the outflow of capital to the West. Moreover, over time a national question arose that could not pass unnoticed. Before the time, representatives of any people could become emperors and top state officials. The main emphasis was on the management characteristics and business qualities. But the West was considered a representative of the barbarian and wild world.

The wave of nationalism led to a split among the peoples who inhabited Byzantium. The West did not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the state of affairs and began to convince the Bulgarians and Serbs that the Greeks had oppressed their identity for many years. The implantation of these ideas led to several revolutionary movements and an urgent recommendation by the West on the withdrawal of Serbs and Bulgarians from the empire and their joining the European world. Thus, these peoples for many years were under the yoke of the Turks.

The Byzantine Empire, in addition to those already mentioned, acquired another problem - the growth of discontent from the regions remote from the capital, whose standard of living was strikingly different from that in Constantinople.

At the end of the 13th century, two parties with opposite views were formed in Byzantium. The former called for developing, relying solely on their own strengths, and expanding the potential of their country, the second - pro-Western - advocating the restructuring of all institutions of the empire in accordance with the Western model. Supported by Europe, the pro-Western party won. As a result, a series of reforms were carried out, which led to the complete defenselessness of the empire in front of its enemy, the Ottoman Sultanate.

The fall of Constantinople was the result of his last siege by the Turks. Despite the proposal of the outstanding caster Urgan to create the tools necessary for confronting the Turkish onslaught, the emperor, except as a negative answer, could not give the other. The coffers of the Byzantine Empire were empty, and wealthy citizens refused to finance this plan. So, a representative of the scientific world, with the same proposal addressed to the Turkish sultan Mehmet. He agreed, providing the necessary funds. So, thanks to the pupil of the Byzantine school, the fate of Byzantium was decided.

As a result of this event, a pro-Turkish party was added to Westernizers, the main task of which was to lead the reign of the capital.

May 29, 1453, after a long siege of the city, Turkish troops managed to break through. Defenders, frightened by the onslaught, turned to flight. Thus, the Byzantine emperor remained alone among the opponents. A blow in the back by one of the representatives of the Turkish side caused the end of the life of Emperor Constantine XI Palaeologus.

The Byzantine Empire ceased to exist.