The gigantic cannons created by the possibly-German engineer Orban were key to victory in this battle, in which Genoese mercenaries were unable to prevent the deposition of Constantine XI Palaiologos.
The advisor George Sphrantzes was enslaved by the winning side after this battle. According to legend, the losing commander in this battle was turned to marble and sleeps underground. Admiral Batoghlu managed to capture the Princes Islands during this battle, during which Giovanni Gustiani's wounding and withdrawal from this battle inspired one side to order a renewed charge. The reversal of this battle was part of the goal of Eleftherios Venizelos' "Megali idea". One year before this battle, one side constructed the (*) Rumelian castle, and the winning side had to move their fleet over the Golden Horn using rolling logs. The gigantic cannons created by the possibly-German engineer Orban were key to victory in this battle, in which Genoese mercenaries were unable to prevent the deposition of Constantine XI Palaiologos. For 10 points, name this 1453 military action in which a force led by Mehmed II took over the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
The advisor George Sphrantzes was enslaved by the winning side after this battle.
{Fall of Constantinople}