In 1453, the capital of the Byzantine Empire fell to the [[Ottoman Turks]] after a long cannon bombardament at a time when the Empire had been reduced to a mere shell of its former self. The conquerors renamed the city [[Istanbul]]. | In 1453, the capital of the Byzantine Empire fell to the [[Ottoman Turks]] after a long cannon bombardament at a time when the Empire had been reduced to a mere shell of its former self. The conquerors renamed the city [[Istanbul]]. |