The fall of Constantinople in 1453 occurred against the backdrop of the declining Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire. As the Ottomans sought to expand their territory, Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium, became a critical target due to its strategic position for trade and military control. The city was heavily fortified, but after a prolonged siege led by Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottomans breached the walls and captured the city. This event marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and had profound implications for Europe, signaling the rise of Ottoman power and influencing trade routes and cultural exchanges for centuries.