Bringing to an end a millennium of the Christian Roman Empire, the fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked a decisive turning-point in the history of Europe and Russia as the Ottoman Empire transformed itself into a world power. Rather than providing a conventional narrative, Angold concentrates on the historical significance of this event, analysing the complicated process of creating identities and ideologies to fill the void left by the final fall of the city. This concise and original study will be essential reading for students and scholars of Byzantine and late medieval history, as well as anyone with an interest in this significant turning point in world history.