The Walls of Constantinople AD 324-1453 (Fortress)

Like most of the Osprey series books on fortifications this one provides a very good introduction to its subject matter in only 96 pages. Very well illustrated with good history on how the walls developed over the course of the Byzantine state's history. The only weak point of the book is its lack of discussion as to how the walls integrated into the Byzantine state's defense plans (on the stragegic level) as well as how the walls integrated (on the tactical level) with other branches of armed forces in terms of a defensive strategy. Also no discussion on strategies (tactical or strategic) dealing with withstanding sieges. Hence four stars instead of five.

Few fixed defenses in military history can claim to have remained viable for more than a few decades, let alone a century or two. However, the walls that surrounded the Byzantine capital of Constantinople were probably unique in that they were virtually impregnable for over a millennia, with only one failure in 1204. In Fortress #25, Samurai-specialist and medieval historian Stephen Turnbull provides a detailed narrative of one of the greatest and most successful system of fixed fortifications in history. Overall, the Walls of Constantinople AD 324-1453 is an excellent and informative addition to the Fortress series.

Turnbull begins with a brief description of the founding of Constantinople and the early construction of defenses. The next section, on design and development, discusses the material structure of the walls, the inner/outer wall configuration and the moat. Turnbull then provides a 14-page walking tour of the wall, which is supplemented by numerous color and B/W photographs of the wall in its current state. The third chapter discusses garrison life on the wall, supply issues, weapons and morale. Final sections provide brief descriptions of each siege and the condition of the walls in the post-Byzantine period. The volume includes seven color plates: a cross section of the Theodosian walls in 447 AD; the Golden Gate in 850 AD; the sea walls of Constantinople in 1000 AD; the peribolos between the outer and inner walls; the walls of the Blachernae quarter in 1204 AD; the bombardment of the Theodosian walls in 1453. Turnbull also provides a bibliography, a chronology and a map of the city. The only issue that Turnbull did not discuss is the cost of building and maintaining the walls - which much have been a substantial drain on the empire's defense budget.

This book beautifully combines maps and photos with illustrations of Byzantine Constantinople. Also, in this relatively short book, Turnbull gives a fairly comprehensive sketch of the history of Byzantine Constantinople, in relation to the city's fortifications.

The book begins by giving the reasons for the construction for the Walls of Theodosius II, then goes on to describe their design. Turnbull then makes a thorough survey of the different sections of the walls before talking about how the walls were part of the life of Constantinopolitans. The book then briefly tells the stories of the various sieges of the city and finishes by describing the walls in contemporary times.

Turnbull and the illustrator Peter Dennis have created an excellent book. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Byzantine history, ancient fortifications, or anyone wanting to travel to Istanbul.

Having had the priviledge of seeing 1st hand the Walls of Constantinople. I can safely say that this book is very accurate in describing them. To call them (The Walls) massive is an understatement. I just can not imagine the hard work and fear that inspired building them. But for them though there would be no Western Civilisation as we know them.

The city of Constantinople has been an important location in history since the times when it was called Byzantium. Now called Istanbul, its history is rich and impressive.

This book concentrates mostly on the walls around the city during the period when it was called Constantinople. These fortifications played an important part in giving this city its long standing importance, and Stephen Turnbull gives us some very good insight into just how important the walls are.

The actual history here involves only the city of Constantinople itself, and does not venture much beyond it. In the chapter entitled "The walls of Constantinople under siege" we meet many of the forces that tried at one time or another to conquer the city and bring it under their control. Some succeeded, as in the 4th Crusade, others failed, like the Avars and the Persians. The discussions are short, and leave room for further research by the reader, depending on the time period interest.

But the focus is the City itself, and the walls which gave this city prominence. Besides the location, which is considered the separation point between Europe and Asia, it also is a key port on the route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It has been sought after and valued by many who sought to control it over the centuries, and has been a center for trade, empires and intrigues.

This book, as all the books in this series, gives very detailed information about the City itself, the wall in particular. Mr. Trumbull covers the construction of the walls and gates, the history, the fortifications, and the various forces that attempted to siege the city and why they succeeded or failed. This information is accompanied by photos by the author and Eileen Brayshaw, which give us some very good visuals of the material discussed.

Also accompanying this material is the expert art work of Peter Dennis, who fills in some of the historical information in graphic form, allowing us to "see" the original fortifications, the glorious gates, and the historical sieges from the vantage point of one looking back in time at the city and it's walls. Again, accurate details and expert renderings make these graphics a valuable addition to this book.

Finally, it is important to note the addition of maps, timelines, and a very good bibliography make this an excellent resource for students and those interested in this piece of important history.

It would be good to note here that while the material in this book would not be something that would be focused on specifically in a classroom situation, the research provided would make an excellent addition to a report on the Middle Ages, or the Crusades. Constantinople is an interesting side note to the Crusades and it also plays an important part in the history.

This is an excellent book to add to a school library or to your own library on Medieval History and should not be overlooked because of it's size or content. This is a very in depth look at the importance of a single city and it's fortifications that held a very important place in medieval history and continues today to be a city of great importance in history. Medievalcrusadesbabe