The Forty Sieges of Constantinople: The Great City's Enemies and Its Survival

The city of Byzantion/Constantinople/Istanbul has been the target of repeated attempts to capture it for the past two and a half millennia, with most of these attacks failing. It has been besieged forty times and has been captured on three or four occasions, but it is still surrounded by envious neighbors who wish to control it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Nestled upon a majestic cape overlooking a bustling waterway, Byzantion, Constantinople, or Istanbul has been the subject of numerous attempts to seize it over the past two and a half millennia. While most of these endeavors ended in failure, some were truly remarkable, such as the awe-inspiring Arab sieges. The city's inhabitants valiantly fought in each and every siege, often resulting in the city's destruction or at the very least, a harrowing sacking. Almost every nation spanning from the Atlantic to the Steppes of Asia has endeavored to capture this magnificent city, with some making repeated attempts, yet only a select few have succeeded. Among these successful conquerors are a Roman emperor, the Crusaders, and the Turks. However, even after these formidable adversaries, there remains a glimmer of hope that Byzantion will one day be reclaimed. Recent sieges, including those by the Bulgars and the Allies during the Great War, have come close, yet the city has ultimately succumbed to enemy occupation. Despite its tumultuous history, Byzantion remains a coveted prize, with neighboring nations vying for control. The city has endured forty sieges, and has been captured on three or four occasions, making it difficult to assert its safety. As the empire it once ruled crumbles, Byzantion continues to be surrounded by envious neighbors who yearn for its dominance.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399090278