By the time the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, most of the Byzantine Empire had already fallen. Why did the Ottomans believe it was important to take Constantinople?

Question

A.
The city was a center of Asian commerce and finance.
B.
The city's prisons held many Muslim inmates.
C.
The city's library held sacred Muslim texts.
D.
The city was a symbol of Christian fame and power.

Answer 1

D. The city was a symbol of Christian fame and power.

The capture of Constantinople was significant for the Ottomans not only because it was a key military stronghold and trade center but also because it represented the last bastion of the Byzantine Empire and a major symbol of Christian dominance. Taking Constantinople allowed the Ottomans to proclaim their role as a major power in the region and marked the end of Christian Byzantine rule.