1444, Byzantium Resurrects

The Isthmus of Corinth, where the Peloponnese Peninsula meets the European mainland, has been a strategically important location since ancient times.

It is extremely narrow, with huge limestone faults separating the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf.

Thanks to its natural geographical advantages and fertile soil, the area was ideal for long-term military garrisons and farming.

The central part of the isthmus is rugged, and the coastal areas on both sides can be used to draw seawater into moats that can easily be converted into natural defences.

Throughout history, many wise rulers have built walls and canals here to connect the two seas and defend against enemy invasions.

As early as the ancient Greek era, the foundations of city walls were laid here. These were repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt until the current six-mile-long walls were formed.

The Eastern Roman Empire, which now rules the area, has been reinforcing the walls and stationing troops in the surrounding area since expelling the Latins and recapturing the Isthmus of Corinth in order to counter the increasingly close Ottoman forces.

From the Corinthian Wall in the south to Mistras, the capital of Morea, the land is fertile and the entire peninsula is surrounded by sea on three sides, with only a small strip of land connecting it to the mainland via the wall.

As long as the Corinthian Wall was defended, the Eastern Roman Empire could hold on to the Peloponnese Peninsula, its small granary, before the Ottoman navy grew in strength.

This was also the only territory the empire had left besides its capital and a few small islands.

Currently, Grand Duke Constantine of Morea and Grand Duke Thomas of Achaea have completed the preliminary transfer of wealth from the Athens region, returning Athens to its former Grand Duke of Florence in the hope that he will be able to hold off the enemy.

The two Paleologos brothers were gathering their troops, preparing to defend the Corinthian Wall.

Constantine and Thomas were currently sitting in their camp, listening to reports from their subordinates.

'Your Highnesses, the news has been confirmed. After we left, the garrisons in Thebes and Athens immediately surrendered to Murad II, who is now advancing towards us with his vanguard."

'Those traitors!'

Thomas slammed his fist on the table.

Constantine motioned for him to calm down.

'What about the navy? Do the Ottomans have the ability to deploy large numbers of soldiers across the sea?'

'Your Highness, we don't know yet. Venice and Genoa have already refused to send their navies to intercept the Ottomans. Two days ago, fishermen in the south saw the Ottoman fleet bypass the Morea Peninsula and head for the Gulf of Corinth.'

Constantine's heart skipped a beat.

'The waters of the Gulf of Corinth are calm, and the small islands controlled by the Ottomans are very close to the southern city of Patras. Could they land there?"

No one could answer for a moment.

'Your Highness, I believe the Ottomans sent their fleet only to escort the transport ships and prevent Venice or Genoa from suddenly joining the battle. It is unlikely that they will land.'

One of the men standing below stood up.

"Oh? Michael, why are you so sure?"

The speaker was Isaac's former captain of the guard. Before Isaac left for Rome, he had assigned him to train the army and attack the north.

More than a year of warfare had made him appear even more confident.

'Your Highness, after more than a year of border conflicts with the Ottomans, I have formed a rough impression of them.'

'Let's hear it.'

'Firstly, their soldiers come from many different sources, with the most elite being the Janissary guards, who are loyal only to the Sultan himself.

'In addition, they have private armies assembled by various pashas and Christian mercenaries used as cannon fodder.'

'With such a complex military structure, it is difficult for the Ottomans to establish an experienced marine corps.'

Mikhail finished and looked at Constantine's expression.

'Continue.'

'Second, the defences of Patras are quite strong. During the Latin rule, many crossbows were set up specifically to prevent naval landings, making it difficult for the Ottomans to land successfully.'

'Thirdly and most importantly, the entire Ottoman army despises and does not take us seriously at all. Judging by their current strategic posture, they probably intend to overwhelm us with their large army and break through our defences all at once."

After he had finished speaking, everyone fell into deep thought.

Constantine looked at the map and remained silent for a long time.

'In that case, there are still many Latin properties in Patras. I'm sure they won't want to see the Ottomans invade the town. Tell the town's merchants to use their own money to form a guard to resist a possible landing.'

'Mikhail, you and your prince's guard — a total of 500 men — will rush to the western section of the Great Wall. Ibrahim's army is already stationed there.'

"Yes!"

Mikhail took his leave.

'Thomas, you will defend the middle section. Make good use of the ancient city walls and moats. The terrain here is rugged, so the Ottomans will probably only launch a feint attack.'

'As for the eastern section, which is the flattest, I will take personal command. All the militia from the villages along the Great Wall will report to me!"

The generals received their orders and dispersed.

...

"Go! Hurry up, you Greek scum!"

North of the Isthmus of Corinth, an Ottoman bey was whipping an elderly Greek farmer. The old farmer was carrying a bag of soil and walking forward with great difficulty.

There were many other Greek civilians around him: men, women and children.

They were being herded to fill the trenches.

The old farmer fled under the Bey's whip, but after a few steps he collapsed with an arrow in his chest.

On the walls of Corinth in the distance, Hakan raised his eyebrows and took another arrow from his quiver.

After retreating south of the Corinthian walls, Ibrahim reorganised his legions.

Due to his excellent archery skills, Hakan was assigned to the archery unit.

There were still many archers on the city walls at this time, firing at the Ottoman troops in the distance.

Some Greek soldiers could not bear to shoot their fellow countrymen, so after each shot, they drew a cross and asked God for forgiveness.

Hakan always responded with a contemptuous smile.

'Once we fill the trenches and breach the walls,' he said, 'you'll be the next to fill the pits.'

This was the fourth day of the Ottoman siege and only a few conscripted labourers remained. In contrast, the Eastern Roman forces had lost almost all of their outer defences.

This was the last trench near the city walls. Once it was filled in, the Ottoman cannons could be pushed forward to fire indiscriminately at the city walls.

Hakan fired another arrow, hitting an Ottoman soldier who had ventured too far forward.

Hakan whistled as he saw the Ottoman cannons in the distance being pulled forward and soldiers busy setting up the gun carriages.

"Cannons ready! Fire guns ready! Archers, retreat and prepare for cannon fire!" Mehmed shouted.

On several of our towers, engineers pushed cannons into position facing the Ottomans.

On the ramparts, a squad of musketeers rushed forward with their fire guns and began setting them up.

Seeing that the trench had mostly been filled in, the Ottoman Bey swung his sword and the cannons fired in unison.

Boom—boom—

Heavy stone projectiles flew through the air and crashed heavily onto the city walls.

The stone walls shook violently and some debris fell.

Fortunately, the reinforced walls withstood the first round of intense cannon fire.

"Show the Ottomans what we're made of! Cannons, fire!"

Mehmet, the centurion, shouted.

Boom—bang—

The cannons of the Eastern Roman Empire on the city tower also roared.

A solid shot hit one of the Ottoman battering rams, smashing it to pieces.

A cheer erupted from the city walls.

Then, seizing the opportunity while the cannons were reloaded, the Ottomans charged forward, shouting.

Bang—bang—

The arquebuses on the city walls began to fire, but whether they hit their targets was, of course, entirely a matter of luck.

These early firearms were mainly used for intimidation.

More and more Ottoman soldiers were hit by muskets and arrows, but even more raised their shields and advanced slowly.

In the hundred metres or so between the trench and the city wall, the Ottomans left dozens of bodies behind.

However, the enemy was simply too numerous, charging forward one after another. Some soldiers were already close enough to raise their ladders.

"Greek fire, fire!"

Commander Mehmed gave the order.

Strange-looking nozzles on the city walls spewed flames several metres away, landing on the Ottoman ladders.

Instantly, the fire spread to the nearby Ottoman soldiers.

They screamed and rolled on the ground, but they couldn't extinguish the flames.

The nearby soldiers were so frightened that they dared not advance.

The Ottoman Bey watched the scene unfold.

"Order them to retreat! Tomorrow, continue to conscript Greeks and have them exhaust the fire oil in the kafila!"

A fierce look appeared on the Ottoman Bey's face.

The Ottomans carried away the wounded and slowly withdrew from the battlefield.

The defending forces also breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replenished their strength and supplies.

Over the next few days, both sides won and lost battles, but although the Ottomans suffered heavy casualties, they were a large army and could easily replace their fallen soldiers.

Conversely, the smaller Byzantine forces were the first to give up.

At the most dangerous moment, a small group of Ottoman soldiers, protected by musketeers, charged onto the city walls.

Unfortunately, they had no reinforcements and became isolated.

Captain Mehmed led his personal guard and fought hard to wipe out the Ottomans who had not yet gained a foothold.

By the tenth day of the Ottoman siege, Ibrahim's army and the musketeer reinforcements had completely run out of ammunition and supplies.

At this critical moment, Mikhail's captain led 500 men of the Prince's Guard, along with military supplies and provisions, to the scene. This finally stabilised the defence of the western half of the city walls.

'Ibrahim, commander of the legion, my unit has been ordered to take over the defence of the western section. You are to provide assistance from the sidelines."

'Is there anything we need to pay attention to with the Ottoman army across the way?'

Ibrahim's Greek was not very good, but he could roughly understand what was being said. However, he stammered and could not respond clearly.

'The Ottoman army is numerous, but they can only deploy a limited number of troops at any given time. Typically, one unit fights until it is exhausted, and then another is sent in. I suspect there is an issue with their food supply.'

Mehmet, the centurion, interjected.

'You can speak Greek?'

'I've been a slave to many people and have learned many languages.'

Mikhail nodded.

'Are you saying that the Ottomans have a food shortage?'

'Yes. Thanks to our scorched earth policy, the entire regions of Athens and Thebes are now severely short of food and supplies, which must be transported from the rear. This prevents the Ottomans from deploying all their troops at once."

'Furthermore, we previously relocated the people of the Athens region to the south, which makes it difficult for the Ottomans to quickly recruit enough cannon fodder locally. This forces them to use their own men.'

That's why we've been able to hold out for so long and inflict nearly 2,000 casualties on the Ottomans.'

Mikhail fell silent for a moment.

'What if the Ottoman navy transports grain directly through the Gulf of Corinth to the northern side of the isthmus? What should we do then?'

Everyone exchanged glances, but no one dared to answer.

If that day ever came, the Ottomans would likely overwhelm the Eastern Roman forces with their superior numbers.

At that point, all of Isaac's efforts would have been in vain.

'We have no choice but to fight to the death.'

Mikhail put on his helmet and climbed out of the tent.

He looked out at the calm sea in the distance, his eyes filled with worry.

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