Regional Civilizations
Location Located on Asia Minor Empire extended to Southwest Asia, Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula, North Africa Capital at Constantinople renamed Istanbul Islam is a unifying force Accepted other religions Trade in coffee and ceramics
Fall of Constantinople City was Center of Byzantine Empire – edge of the Christian World Controlled entry into Black Sea Easy to defend Attacked in April 1453 Muslims now had cannons Attacked from 2 sides
City holds out for 5 weeks Hagia Sophia – most important church in Eastern Christian world becomes a mosque. City now called Istanbul (Part of the modern day country of Turkey)