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The Fall of the Despotate of Morea: Ottoman Annexation in 1460 CE
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The Despotate of Morea, a Byzantine successor state established in the southern Peloponnese, was one of the last remnants of the once-mighty Byzantine Empire. By the mid-15th century, the Ottoman Empire, under the leadership of Sultan Mehmed II (also known as Mehmed the Conqueror), was rapidly expanding its territories, having already captured Constantinople in 1453. The Despotate of Morea, ruled by the brothers Thomas and Demetrios Palaiologos, was a prime target for Ottoman expansion due to its strategic location and weakened state.
In 1460, the Ottomans launched a decisive campaign to annex the Despotate of Morea. The region had been plagued by internal strife and rivalry between the two brothers, which weakened their ability to mount a unified defense against the Ottoman forces. Mehmed II, recognizing the disunity, exploited this division to his advantage.
The Ottoman army, led by Mehmed himself, advanced into the Peloponnese with overwhelming force. The fortified cities of the Morea, including Mystras, the capital of the Despotate, fell one by one. The local population, weary of years of conflict and exploitation, offered little resistance. Thomas Palaiologos fled to the Venetian-held territories, while Demetrios surrendered to the Ottomans and was granted a pension and lands in Thrace.
The annexation of the Despotate of Morea marked the end of Byzantine rule in the Peloponnese and further solidified Ottoman dominance in the region. The fall of Morea was a significant blow to the remnants of the Byzantine Empire, as it removed one of the last bastions of Greek resistance against Ottoman expansion. The event also underscored the growing power of the Ottoman Empire, which would continue to expand its influence in the Balkans and beyond in the coming decades.
The annexation of Morea in 1460 was not just a military conquest but also a cultural and political transformation. The region was integrated into the Ottoman administrative system, and many of its inhabitants were subjected to the devshirme system, where Christian boys were taken as tribute to serve in the Ottoman military or bureaucracy. The fall of Morea also led to a significant migration of Greek scholars and intellectuals to Italy, contributing to the Renaissance by bringing with them classical knowledge and texts.
In summary, the annexation of the Despotate of Morea by the Ottomans in 1460 was a pivotal event in the history of the region, marking the end of Byzantine rule and the beginning of a new era under Ottoman control. It was a testament to the growing power of the Ottoman Empire and the declining fortunes of the Byzantine world.