In the history of its numerous attempts (there were more than ten of them) to capture the ancient capital of Byzantium, there were several times that Russia was just a step away from realizing its ...

Constantinople. The City of the World’s Desire. The largest city in Christendom for nearly a thousand years. Surprisingly few remember this grand city, capital of two of history’s greatest empires: ...

In the years leading up to 1914, Europe’s Great Powers became embroiled in an arms race driven by French and Russian fears of German strength on land and British fears of German ambitions at sea.

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This is the story of Constantinople’s fall, how Europe’s richest city fell to the Turks and became known as Istanbul: the story of the Great Siege of 1453. When history's greatest fortification was ...

On Tuesday morning, 20 Jumada al-Ulaa, 857H; may 29, 1453AD, the Ottoman sultan, Mohammed Alfateh launched his last attack to conquer constantinople, after a siege that lasted more than 50 days. When ...

The city of wonders -- Founding fathers -- Defence -- Palaces and power -- Churches and monasteries -- 'Two thirds of the wealth of this world' -- Democracy -- The beginning of the end -- The ruin of ...