story writing -The fall of Constantinople 1453

Well I just seem to stuck in this period (1453) - time warp or I need more meds-

I would really like to write a fictional account of this tragic event and for now I am researching and brain storming.
How should I write the story-
fiction with both made up and real characters - no
Write it in the form of a memoir- no

An epic tale - yes!!

books for my research:
Aristotle Poetics
Seven famous Greek plays - only portions
The Aeneid of Vrigil- portions
The Iliad on CD - will pick it up soon at the public library
Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek myths
A CD Set with lectures concerning the great epic poems of history; including Dante's Inferno.

Byzantine primary sources:
Decline of Byzantium to the Ottoman Turks by Michael Doukas
Portions by Nico Barbaro and George Sprantzes- printed from internet.

Secondary sources- some of which I have read several times:

Immortal Emperor by Donald Nicol
Constantine Palaeologus 1448-1453 by Mijatovic
The Fall of Constantinople by Nicolle, Haldon and Turnbull
Osprey books; Byzantine Armies and Armies of the Ottoman Turks 1300- 1774.

Does anyone know of any Turkish primary sources in English?


I am doing this research to get closer to the mind of a Byantine from that period and try to purge out the American influences for this story. I want to think like them which means a greater understanding of the classics and the Bible from an Orthodox mindset. At least part of my upbringing was Greek Orthodox.

Any suggestions from: Byzantine experts, fellow Greeks or anyone with roots from that region; Slavs, Turks etc.

This is only a very crude, crude draft and it is already subject to change or rearrangement but for now it is on hold while I continue my research. This could take a couple of years to write- ouch!!

An Epic Tale; the Fall of Constantinople (even this is subject to change)

Prologue: Byzantium O’ Byzantium!“How lonely is the city that was full of people. How like a widow is she. Who was great among the nations?   The Princess among Provinces has become a Slave!”
                         Lamentations 1: 1

(oh, by the way I repeated this very quote when I stood upon the walls of old Constantinople- I was alone)       

The battle raged within the gates, on the high towers; the trenches swam deep in blood.1 A reflection captured, for a moment in time, in a teardrop, of black smoke rising towards the heavens stretching over city like the dark hand of death above the empty blood drenched streets of Constantinople. Forced to flee from their ancient capital the Romans fled like the innocent house of Priam, and the proud city built by Neptune, smoke from the ruined ground, the cities inhabitants were driven in different ways1. fleeing from the Turkish hoard. The teardrop, in slow motion, gently struck the salty waters of the Marmara Sea causing tiny ripples to form in the still water; moving towards the four corners of the Earth; like the refugees of this defeated citidal. Fleeing in boats the city soon became a distant sight to those exiles lucky enough to escape, but memories of their Roman city still burned deep within their bosoms. Etched into their psyche the final days of the Turkish siege against the Byzantine’s ancient capital will linger on for eternity within the souls of those who call themselves Romans. In those last hours of the siege the last Emperor Constantine Palailogos held his swords high in defiance of the Turks; who were swarming through the breaches in the cities broken walls.
Feeling abandoned and isolated Constantine XI uttered his final words, “Is there no Christian who will take my head?” Shortly afterwards, like brave Achilles, who died by the thrust of Paris’s poison tipped arrow; Emperor Constantine was cut down by the edge of a Turkish sword. A Turk struck him in the face and wounded him but in turn, like a lion, Constantine struck back. Another mortal blow brought him down bringing a dramatic end to the life of the last Byzantine Emperor.” Her adversaries have become the master, Her enemies prosper…Her children have gone into captivity before the enemy.” (Lamentations 1:5)

I have to rethink his but I don't want to totally demonize the Turks either and in some ways I admire Mehmet, although, I will write in the way history had handed it down.

Sir Steven Runciman is a specialist on Byzantium and his book "the fall of Constantinople" is an absolute must:

Originally posted by Efraz The true epic of the "Fall of Constantinople" would be the 4th Crusade if I were to write such a fiction.

That is true and if it were not nor 1204 there might not have been a 1453 but the same could be said about 1171- Manzikert. Things happen a reason in history and history does repeat itself. The USA will face the same fate someday like all nations and empires. Although comparing 1453 to 1204 I think the former would make for a better epic struggle. A few against a vast army with the latest siege weapons. It is sort of like the battle between the Spartans and the Persians at the hot gates.

I appreciate the advice but for Greek, like myself, it is sort of a Custer's last stand so to speak. It is amazing the defenders held out so long although surrender would have been smarter.

Originally posted by eaglecap I appreciate the advice but for Greek, like myself, it is sort of a Custer's last stand so to speak. It is amazing the defenders held out so long although surrender would have been smarter.

:)) A greek or not I am an Istanbulite. I don't like the pages in history that my city was violated. By Turks or by Italians or English.

But I would like to read the story after you finish. But my advice was there in order to avoid cliche still write a Constantinople dark epic. I am sure every Greek has read that story as an epic many times.

Sure my friend,

If you come one day let me know ;)

Well there are a number of sources but I don't know if they have English translations.

The most interesting one is "Fetihname-i Sultan Mehmed" by Kivami

The work is not only a historic document also a literary heritage, an epic story of Sultan Mehmed's campaigns to west.

It could be a source of quotes for a modern day fiction.

Another more known one is "Tarih-i Ebu'l Feth" by Tursun Bey

Both authors lived in 15th century. I am sure there are French and German translations. But don't know about English.

Well, I am slowly working on it and so far almost two pages with sources from: The Fall of The Byzantine Empire by G. Sprantzes, Doukas, the Aenid of Virgil, Old Testement and Nicolo Barbaro.
I was listening to the Odessey and now I am listening to Don Quixote on CD to get some ideas- great author.
"The right of a valor" great phrase fron Don Quixote

Originally posted by Maharbbal I'm saying this like that but 1204 has the advantage of having quite a lot of primary sources published in English. Besides, it also has one of the greastest characters one can dream of in an epic: the Venetian doge Dandolo, who led the attack while nearly 100 years old and blind. Would be great to "see" the invasion through the eyes of a blind man.Regarding 1453, would be great to avoid the "conflict of civilization" kind of theory. I mean, there has been enough mercenaries and traitors on both sides not to fall in such a simplistic vision. Great idea though can't wait to read it

These are some good ideas and 1204 could be for the future but I am stuck on 1453; maybe I was there in a past life---


Clash of cultures- It will be fiction so I really do not see this as a problem but there were elements of conflict between Christianity and Islam. I will not make this a focal point but focus instead on certain key characters such as Constantine XI, Mehmet the great, etc
I really appreciate the wise advise!!

I am really taking my time in writing it and probably will not have a completed draft for a year of two. I take it serious and I am even using works from Virgil and famous Greek plays- mainly for quotes.

Originally posted by Maharbbal have you tasted the Captain Allatriste serie? Great books, very simple writing (although too many quotes and too many "lets give you the bigger picture" tendencies).

No but thanks- I will check it out at Barnes and Noble, Hastings or Borders; wherever my Toyota takes me.

This whole project with be revised many times to add both accuracy and fiction; a fine balance.

I'll do some research and get back to you if I get some info.

Wow and many thanks- I will see if I can find it at Gonzaga University but if not I will do an inter-library.