Siege of Constantinople (717–718)

Overview

• Constantinople, capital of Byzantine Empire, besieged by Umayyad Caliphate.
• Culmination of 20 years of Arab attacks and occupation of Byzantine borderlands.
• Byzantine internal turmoil exploited by Arabs.
• Leo III deceives Arabs, becomes Byzantine Emperor, and defends city.

Historical Context

• Post first Arab siege (674–678), a period of peace followed.
• Umayyad Caliphate emerged victorious from internal civil war, resumed attacks on Byzantium around 692.
• Byzantine defensive systems weakened over time due to internal instability.

Key Figures

• Byzantine: Leo III the Isaurian, Tervel of Bulgaria.
• Umayyad: Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik, Umar ibn Hubayra, Sulayman ibn Mu'ad.

Siege Details

• Dates: Began July/August 717, ended 15 August 718.
• Forces:
  • Umayyad: 120,000 troops, 1,800 ships.
  • Byzantine: Approximately 15,000 defenders.
  • Bulgarian: Around 12,000.

Course of Siege

• Arab army crosses into Thrace, builds siege lines.
• Arab naval blockade thwarted by Byzantine use of Greek fire.
• Byzantines resupplied by sea.
• Harsh winter causes famine and disease in Arab camp.
• Bulgarian attacks and Byzantine naval victories force Umayyad withdrawal.

Outcome

• Byzantine-Bulgar victory, siege lifted on 15 August 718.
• Arab fleet destroyed by natural disasters on return.

Aftermath

• Ensured survival of Byzantium, marked end of constant warfare.
• Caliphate's strategic outlook changed, no longer sought outright conquest of Byzantium.
• Postponed Muslim expansion into Europe for centuries.
• Continued regular raids on Byzantine territories.

Historical Impact

• Considered one of history's most important battles.
• Along with the Battle of Tours (732), stopped Muslim expansion into Europe.
• Byzantine Empire remained a bulwark against Islamic expansion until the 15th century.

Sources and Accounts

• Primary Byzantine sources: Chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor, Breviarium of Patriarch Nikephoros I.
• Arab sources: Kitab al-'Uyun, History of the Prophets and Kings by al-Tabari.
• Accounts often contradictory and contain legendary elements.

Cultural and Apocalyptic Influence

• Legends among Arabs portray a symbolic victory.
• Influenced Arabic epic literature.
• Seen as a significant event in both Islamic eschatology and Byzantine apocalyptic literature.