Laura

When Muslim Turks entered Constantinople, they expected far greater resistance. They could not believe the city had so few defenders. That was their sole excuse for the general slaughter of Christians that followed. From the moment the army and the camp-followers poured in until midday, the killing continued without pause. Greek historian Critobulus records that the Turks had been taunted by the besieged for their failure to take the city. They were enraged by the losses they had suffered. During the forenoon they put to the sword everyone they met: women and men, old and young, of every condition. They slaughtered all throughout the city in their first onslaught. Many Christians took refuge in the churches. The Muslims entered Hagia Sophia after breaking the doors. Christian prisoners were tied or chained together and slaughtered anyone who has tried to resist. Inside the Holy Church. Turks were arguing for the possession of the most beautiful women. Greek historian Phrantzes claimed that in some places the earth could no longer be seen beneath the multitude of dead bodies. Barbaro described so many heads of Christians floating in the Golden Horn and the Marmora that they reminded him of melons in the Venetian canals, the waters coloured with blood. Many nuns and other women threw themselves into the wells rather than fall into Turkish hands. Their successors in the Greek War of Independence, and many Armenian women in the massacres of 1895–6, chose the same fate rather than surrender to Turkish captors. The indiscriminate slaughter lasted only until midday. The desire for gain tempered the love of slaughter. The young of both sexes, especially the strong and beautiful, could be held as slaves, sold, or ransomed. Leonard wrote that all who resisted were killed. The Turks slew the weak, the decrepit, and the sick, but spared the lives of others who surrendered and converted to Islam and Mohammedanism. The Turkish historian Sad-ud-din writes: "Having received permission to loot, they thronged into the city with joyous heart, and there, seizing their possessions and families, they made the wretched misbelievers weep. They acted in accordance with the precept, ‘Slaughter their aged and capture their youth.’" Some brave Greeks from Crete, the Cretans, were the last Christians who quit their posts as defenders of the city. If you want to support me in the effort I’m making, please consider becoming a subscriber to my X account for only $2. I write about the ancient, medieval, and modern history of Greece and what Christians went through because of Islam. Always with primary sources and historical facts. Thanks for reading me and for all the support. - Homer Pavlos