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On this day in 1453
Constantinople fell.
Of course there are many modern parellels. Greek foreign policy is remarkably similar to late Byzantine foreign policy and modern Turkish policy mirrors Ottoman conquest tactics.
Where modern Greek policy mirrors Byzantine:
Decades of under funding the military.
Reliance on treaties for protection that are not worth the paper they are signed on.
The belief a bigger nation (before Rome - now the US/EU) will step in and save them if the shit hits the fan.
Policy of managed decline - lose as little land as possible as slowly as possible. A culture of concessions and defeatism.
Encouraging Turkic culture - There were active mosques within the walls of Constantinople before it was conquered and many Turkic influencers in the city itself. Modern Greeks also have no problem with Turkish culture being pumped directly through Greek channels and mosque building - preserving ottoman architecture etc.
Lack of real politik - both Byzantines and modern Greeks do not understand the concept - even the Italians were amazed at the severe lack of strategy and logic employed by the Byzantines in their final centuries.
Problems concerning proving sovereignty to second and third parties.
Where modern Ottoman culture meats Turkish:
Use of Italy/ Latins to help conquer Constantinople in the first place.
Belief in constantly expanding borders.
Mosque building - Sunni schools/ universities across conquered territory.
Understanding real politik. Massive diplomatic core. Massive soft power industry.
Same army structure - use of bashi bazouks/ jihadists to do the heavy fighting. Turkey currently using Syrian Sunni teenagers as their bashi bazouks.
Patience in conquest - happy to play the long game in conquest.
Belief in conquest.
Of course there are many modern parellels. Greek foreign policy is remarkably similar to late Byzantine foreign policy and modern Turkish policy mirrors Ottoman conquest tactics.
Where modern Greek policy mirrors Byzantine:
Decades of under funding the military.
Reliance on treaties for protection that are not worth the paper they are signed on.
The belief a bigger nation (before Rome - now the US/EU) will step in and save them if the shit hits the fan.
Policy of managed decline - lose as little land as possible as slowly as possible. A culture of concessions and defeatism.
Encouraging Turkic culture - There were active mosques within the walls of Constantinople before it was conquered and many Turkic influencers in the city itself. Modern Greeks also have no problem with Turkish culture being pumped directly through Greek channels and mosque building - preserving ottoman architecture etc.
Lack of real politik - both Byzantines and modern Greeks do not understand the concept - even the Italians were amazed at the severe lack of strategy and logic employed by the Byzantines in their final centuries.
Problems concerning proving sovereignty to second and third parties.
Where modern Ottoman culture meats Turkish:
Use of Italy/ Latins to help conquer Constantinople in the first place.
Belief in constantly expanding borders.
Mosque building - Sunni schools/ universities across conquered territory.
Understanding real politik. Massive diplomatic core. Massive soft power industry.
Same army structure - use of bashi bazouks/ jihadists to do the heavy fighting. Turkey currently using Syrian Sunni teenagers as their bashi bazouks.
Patience in conquest - happy to play the long game in conquest.
Belief in conquest.