Early conquests · 717 to 718
Siege of Constantinople
A year-long siege by land and sea. Greek fire, a brutal winter and Bulgar attacks broke the army, and the city would not fall to a Muslim army for another 736 years.
Key facts
- When
- 717 to 718
- Where
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Sides
- Umayyad Caliphate vs Byzantine Empire
- Commanders
- Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik vs Leo III
- Result
- Siege failed
- Type
- Early conquests
- Chapter
- 2. The Umayyads
The wider picture: The Umayyads of Damascus
Muawiya ruled from Damascus and named his son Yazid as heir, the first time the caliphate passed from father to son. Karbala followed in 680. Then came the largest expansion in Islamic history: Spain in 711, Sindh in 712 and Central Asia up to the Syr Darya.
More early conquests battles
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