Constantinople, the Queen of Cities. You are the brightest gem on the Sea of Marmara and the most dazzling jewel of the Mediterranean world, unparalleled in your splendor. Your magnificent palaces, grand churches, and excellent urban planning are legendary.
In the dark ages following the fall of Rome, this city stood as a symbol of civilization, luxury, and supreme glory, embodying the continuation of Roman civilization. Countless people yearned for this place, especially as the West plunged into its dark ages.While the various states established by the Germanic tribes on the ruins of the Western Empire struggled in darkness, the Eastern Empire, as the true successor of Rome, thrived and flourished. Everything forgotten and destroyed in the West continued to develop and reach new heights here with the strength of the Eastern Empire.However, just as people experience birth, aging, illness, and death, so too do cities and nations have their rises and falls.When the wheels of history turned to 1453, the Queen of Cities met her end. Although destruction was inevitable, Timur's invasion of the Ottomans delayed this moment by decades. The fate of the Eastern Empire's demise had been sealed at the end of the civil war between the two Johns, a fact evident in the changing mindset of the Eastern Roman citizens. Although the official title remained the Roman Empire, even the intellectual circles of the Eastern Empire stopped calling themselves Romans and referred to themselves as Greeks. By the late 14th century, the Eastern Empire's monarchs were also referred to as the Emperor of the Greeks rather than the Emperor of the Romans.Centuries earlier, any Western envoy bringing a letter addressed to the Emperor of the Greeks would have been turned away at the gates of Constantinople, as it was considered a great insult. Now, apart from a few conservatives, this term had become customary.Although the towering Theodosian Walls still stood tall, maintaining the last semblance of dignity for the Eastern Roman Empire, the buildings within the walls had either collapsed or were mere shells of their former selves. The once-academic sanctuary of the University of Constantinople was now mostly deserted, with columns once filled with philosophical debate now overrun by wild plants. The Blachernae Church, which housed relics including the veil of the Virgin Mary, appeared as an empty shell, its once-beautiful religious frescoes and decorations either deteriorated due to neglect or stolen, along with the relics. The Holy Apostles Church, situated at the highest point of the city and the burial site of Constantine the Great, had nearly become a complete ruin, with only ancient ghosts climbing the abandoned columns entwined with vines. One wonders what Constantine the Great would think if he saw this.The plight of the city's lower-class areas was even more heart-wrenching.At its peak, Constantinople was dotted with exquisite gardens and squares, filled with flowers and shrubs for citizens to enjoy, and bustling with people. These places were adorned with classical Greek and Roman fountains, bronze and marble statues, and mosaics unique to the Eastern Roman Empire. University students often gave impassioned speeches here, merchants from around the world filled the air with their calls, and lovers whispered sweet nothings.Now, not only had the decorations long vanished, stolen and resettled in the squares of Italian city-states or the castles of Western European nobles, but even the gardens and squares had been replaced by farmlands, vegetable gardens, livestock pens, and orchards. The bustling crowds had disappeared as well.Many residential areas once crowded with shops and houses had transformed into pastoral landscapes. In spring, wildflowers bloomed throughout the city, and at night, nightingales sang. Streets that couldn't be converted into farmland and were completely abandoned became lifeless, with buildings either collapsing due to neglect or dismantled by residents. Finding a decent, intact house here was nearly impossible, with remnants of walls and scattered bricks everywhere. These areas had turned into gray zones where countless illicit activities took place.Even the once-flourishing main street, the Mese Avenue, had declined. The crowds and merchants along this avenue were now but a fraction of what they used to be. During Constantinople's prosperous period, the grand processions of dignitaries required city guards to clear the way with their spears used as staves, but now, the empty avenue needed no such service.In this sorrowful, decaying city, even the Eastern Roman imperial family's days were wretched. The Great Palace, the residence of the Eastern imperial family for over a thousand years, was destroyed and rendered uninhabitable by the Western knights during the Fourth Crusade's sack of Constantinople in 1204. The incompetent rulers of the subsequent Latin Empire took everything left, stripping the palace of its gold, silver, and even its ornate roofs, leaving only bare columns.Although the Palaiologos dynasty recaptured Constantinople and restored the Eastern Roman Empire, they lacked the resources to rebuild and maintain the city due to their reduced territory and diminished wealth. With the Italians holding numerous trade privileges, the emperor's income from Constantinople was minimal, while the expenses to sustain the city were considerable, leaving no funds for palace repairs.In contrast, the Genoese colony of Galata across from Constantinople had an annual income fifteen times that of the city. Eventually, the emperor moved to the smaller Blachernae Palace, letting the grand old palace fall into ruin, with weeds growing between the stones and wild plants overtaking the once-regal purple chambers.Next to the Great Palace, the once-raucous Hippodrome was reduced to ruins, now merely a field for noble youths to play polo. The Patriarchal Palace, nominally still the headquarters of the Orthodox Church, was abandoned by the Patriarch of Constantinople, who, like the emperor, relocated due to its precarious state.With the empire's territory shrinking, the citizenry dwindling, and the growing independence of Orthodox bishops, the Church's income dried up. Most churches in the city were abandoned to reduce expenses, except for the magnificent Hagia Sophia, which retained some of its former glory thanks to government funding and generous pilgrim donations. Despite the empire's decline, the faithful continued to contribute to this millennia-old center of Orthodoxy.Now, this Queen of Cities has entered her twilight years. Like a lonely old woman sitting at her table, she reminisces about her former beauty while waiting for death. Yet, even in this state, this city, full of glory and honor, still has a fatal attraction to others. Throughout history, this Queen of Cities rejected countless suitors, but in this era, she no longer has the power to drive away these rough pursuers as she once did.The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, an outstanding, energetic, and ambitious young man, set his sights on the magnificent Constantinople. He led a vast army, encamping before the Queen of Cities with a spectacular camp stretching for tens of kilometers. His high-spirited army of more than 100,000 soldiers, the dense forest of crescent banners, the gleaming blades, enormous siege towers, the dark Urban cannons, and the vast fleet of ships blotting out the sun, all stood as proof of his courtship.In contrast, Constantinople had fewer than 8,000 defenders. This was the city's most tragic moment, with so few defenders protecting such a vast city. Beginning on April 6, the Ottomans started bombarding the city and launching probing attacks. The bombardment was only moderately effective; after all, Constantinople's walls were incredibly thick. Mehmed II did not expect to achieve great results from the bombardment but aimed to cause some damage. However, a section of the wall near the Charisius Gate was severely damaged, not because the bombardment was particularly strong, but because the wall was in disrepair. The defenders quickly began repairs.The Ottoman fleet in the sea was also not idle, continuously attacking the Golden Horn, though they could only fire a few ineffective arrows at the sea walls. However, the defenders did not let down their guard. In the Blachernae Palace, the command center of Constantine XI, a routine report was underway during the siege.Blachernae Palace, built during the reign of Anastasius I and expanded under Manuel I, had a history of nearly a thousand years. Like most of the palaces in the city, this once-royal courtyard had fallen into ruin. Nevertheless, due to its relatively intact structure and small scale, it became the courtyard of the Palaiologos dynasty and Constantine XI's chosen war command center.The main hall of Blachernae Palace had been specially cleaned not long ago, but the room still appeared dilapidated. The extensive damage was due to its vastness and prolonged abandonment, with the walls covered in various vines and stains. Constantine Palaiologos sat at the main seat, dressed in a white robe and adorned with a luxurious crown. Two spear-bearing guards in golden armor stood beside him. The emperor quietly listened to the daily evening report from Secretary of State George Sphrantzes."General Giovanni's report is as follows, Your Majesty: the Turks currently have no intention of launching a full-scale attack." The emperor gestured for him to continue."The repairs to the damaged walls near the Charisius Gate are progressing smoothly. We should be able to seal the breach completely by tonight.""Good. I will allocate more personnel. We don't need so many patrols on the streets; divert some people there." Constantine XI adjusted his magnificent crown—of course, no one knew that many of its jewels were fake. "Everyone involved in repairing the walls will receive an extra ration.""Yes, Your Majesty." George Sphrantzes bowed his head and signaled the scribe behind him, who immediately began writing diligently with a quill on parchment."Additionally," George Sphrantzes paused, "the Genoese have brought some intelligence. The Turks are preparing to use the forts of Selymbria on the Bosphorus and Studion on the Sea of Marmara. Also, our sentries on the sea walls have spotted Baltaoğlu's fleet moving towards the Princes' Islands.""That is terrible news, Sphrantzes. They won't hold out long against the Ottoman siege, and worse still, we are powerless to help them. As for Baltaoğlu... may God punish that Bulgarian traitor and cast his soul into hellfire. The forces on the Princes' Islands are pitifully weak, unable to resist the traitor's fleet. Any other bad news?""The Venetian ambassador..." George hesitated, but the emperor quickly resolved his dilemma."What does that Venetian want now? Are they demanding immediate repayment of our debts, or are they asking me to sign another unfair treaty? This city has nothing left to give them." The mention of the Venetians agitated the emperor. "Or are they asking me to cede cities in Morea?""Actually, all of those demands have been made," the Secretary of State sighed."Alright, alright, I understand. Say no more." After venting his frustration, the emperor calmed down. "Tell the Venetians I will speak to them personally when I have the time. You are dismissed.""Yes, Your Majesty." The Secretary of State bowed and left with his scribe.After the Secretary of State left the main hall, Constantine Palaiologos stood up from his chair, raising his hand to stop the guards from following him. "I am going for a walk. You do not need to accompany me."Constantine left the main hall through a side door and walked to a remaining tower in Blachernae Palace. This tower, whose name had been forgotten, still stood firmly. During the palace's cleanup, the tower was also cleared and manned with sentries.At this time, most sentries were resting, with only one soldier guarding the tower's entrance. Upon seeing the emperor, the soldier immediately knelt in salute.After greeting the guard, Constantine climbed to the highest level of the tower, overlooking the world below. The Sea of Marmara at dusk was a beautiful and romantic sight. The golden clouds seemed to burn in the twilight, the setting sun bathed the beach in a dreamy glow, blending with the dappled yellow sand. The waves, shimmering in the sunset, endlessly crashed against the ancient seawall, creating countless splashes of white foam.In the prosperous days of Constantinople, the beaches were always filled with lovers walking barefoot along the seawall, whispering sweet nothings as the gentle waves lapped at their feet. The sea breeze blew Constantine's purple robe, not cold but refreshingly cool. However, his heart remained as cold as ever.Before him stood the tall and majestic triple Theodosian Walls, still standing proudly after countless years. Beyond the walls stretched the Ottoman camp, teeming with the empire's best soldiers.On the other side was one of the city's few bustling areas—the Blachernae district. The Venetians had their community in this port area, along with merchants from Ancona, Florence, Ragusa, and Catalonia. Nearby, there was even a Jewish community. The area was densely packed with warehouses and docks, with ships constantly coming and going.In contrast, other parts of the city had a desolate, dark green sea with few ships. The once bustling commercial scenes were long gone. The piers were rotten and broken, with no place to step.The once-glorious imperial shipyard by the sea was now a dilapidated mess, unbearable to look at. Although the imperial flag still flew at the entrance, it hung limply, and no workers' voices could be heard. The constant sounds of hammering, sawing, and shouting from the past were now absent, as if the former prosperity had never existed. The old rope-making workshop was covered in thick dust, with birds nesting in the ship frames and sheds.The setting sun slowly descended from the distant west, casting a faint golden light on the imperial palace, the Hippodrome, and the Hagia Sophia within the city. The brilliant golden glow masked the ancient buildings' scars, making them look surreal, as if their decay and decline had never happened.Constantine looked at this scene, took off his crown, and placed it on the battlement, leaning against the wall as if admiring the view. He stood there for a while, his face expressionless as he gazed at the sprawling Ottoman camp. Finally, he sighed heavily, smiled, and made the sign of the cross on his chest."May God bless us, may God forgive us."After saying this, Constantine Palaiologos descended the stairs, his silhouette in the twilight appearing extraordinarily forlorn, mirroring the current fate of the Roman Empire. He was completely unaware that just after he turned around and uttered those words, a mist suddenly appeared—simultaneously, both inside and outside the city.....