This classic description presents the painful shock caused to Western Christianity by the fall of Constantinople in May 1453, after a siege of several weeks. The city's pleas had been ignored, and the assistance sent during this crisis was negligible. For the Turks, the victory not only provided a new imperial capital but also ensured that their empire would endure. For the Greeks, the conquest marked the end of Byzantine civilization and led to the mass exodus of scholars, which resulted in the remarkable expansion of Greek studies during the European Renaissance. "Once again, Sir Steven Runciman demonstrates his skill in historical narration... An excellent story, full of suspense and passion... He tells the story, and as always, he tells it with great elegance." (History magazine)