The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked the end of the Byzantine Empire. This event, led by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, effectively shifted the power balance in the Mediterranean and paved the way for the expansion of the Ottoman Empire into Europe. The conquest symbolized not only the end of a millennium-long Christian stronghold but also initiated significant cultural and political changes across the region. It laid the groundwork for the Renaissance and altered trade routes, prompting shifts in European exploration.