Mighty sovereigns of Ottoman throne - Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror

Mahomed al II-lea, also known as Mehmed II, was a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire who is best known for his conquest of Constantinople in 1453. This conquest was a turning point in the history of the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

Mahomed was born in 1432 in Edirne, a city in modern-day Turkey. He was the son of Murad II, who was also a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. When Mahomed became Sultan in 1451, he immediately began to prepare for an attack on Constantinople, which was then the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Mahomed's attack on Constantinople began in April of 1453. He used a combination of tactics, including cannons and siege towers, to breach the city's walls. The battle lasted for over a month, and the defenders of the city, led by Emperor Constantine XI, fought bravely but were ultimately defeated.

After the fall of Constantinople, Mahomed declared himself the ruler of the Roman Empire, which had been the name of the Byzantine Empire. He made the city the new capital of the Ottoman Empire and renamed it Istanbul.

Mahomed's conquest of Constantinople was a significant event in world history. It marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, which had existed for over a thousand years, and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe. It also helped to spread Islam into the region.

Mahomed is remembered as a skilled military commander and a shrewd politician. He is also known for his cultural and intellectual interests, including his patronage of the arts and his construction of several architectural marvels in Istanbul.

Today, Mahomed's legacy is still felt in Turkey and throughout the world. The Hagia Sophia, one of the most famous landmarks in Istanbul, was converted into a mosque by Mahomed after the fall of Constantinople, and it remains a symbol of the Ottoman Empire's cultural and religious influence.

Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), between legend and historical truth

Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula, was a ruler of Wallachia, a region in modern-day Romania, during the 15th century. He is infamous for his brutal tactics, particularly impaling his enemies on stakes.

Vlad was born in 1431 in Transylvania, a region in modern-day Romania. He came from a noble family and was trained in the art of war from a young age. Vlad's father, Vlad II, was a member of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order dedicated to fighting the Ottoman Turks.

When Vlad III became ruler of Wallachia in 1456, he began a campaign to rid the region of its enemies, particularly the Ottoman Turks. He is said to have impaled thousands of prisoners of war and enemies, including women and children, earning him the nickname "the Impaler."

Vlad's brutal tactics were not limited to impaling. He also used other methods of torture and execution, including burning, boiling, and skinning alive. These tactics were used not only against his enemies, but also against his own people if they were suspected of disloyalty or treachery.

Despite his reputation for cruelty, Vlad is also remembered for his efforts to strengthen Wallachia's defenses and promote trade and commerce. He was known for his intelligence, military prowess, and strategic thinking.

Vlad's story has been the inspiration for many works of literature and film, including Bram Stoker's famous novel, "Dracula." Although his reputation as a brutal ruler has persisted for centuries, there are also those who see him as a hero who fought against the Ottoman Turks and defended his people.