Fatih Sultan Mehmet / Kritovulos

The seventh Ottoman sultan, Mehmed II or Mehmed the Conqueror, was born on March 30, 1432, and died on May 3, 1481. He was the son of Sultan Murad II and Hüma Hatun. After conquering Istanbul in 1453, he was called Ebûl-Feth (Father of Conquest) and in later centuries became known as Fatih. He was also referred to as the Great Turk (Grand Turco) in Europe during his time. By conquering Istanbul, Fatih ended the Middle Ages and started the New Age. For this reason, he is also known as the "ruler who opened an era." After the conquest of Istanbul, he began to use the title Kayser-i Rum (Roman Emperor). With the conquest of Istanbul, the 1000-year-old Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire came to an end. Fatih significantly reshaped the state with the laws he enacted. It is known that Fatih had a great interest in science and literature and collected ancient manuscripts in his library. Researchers state that Fatih read the Iliad in Greek. His invitation of the historian Kritovoulos from Gökçeada (Imbros) to the palace shows Fatih's importance on history and science. Kritovoulos was appointed as the governor of Gökçeada (Imbros) island in 1456. After leaving his position in 1466, he came to Istanbul in 1467 and dedicated himself to writing the history books he had started. The historian, who narrated the seventeen-year period after Mehmed the Conqueror's accession to the throne, dedicated his book to Fatih. One of the best-preserved manuscripts of the Iliad in the world, along with Kritovoulos's manuscript book, is currently in the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Library. In his work, Kritovoulos mentions Fatih's visit to Troy and the Dardanelles after the conquest of Lesbos in 1462. We know Fatih's words "I took revenge for the Trojans" from Kritovoulos's work. We also know that Fatih had ideological correspondences with Pope Pius II on the subject of Troy during the same period:

"When he arrived in the vicinity of Çanakkale, at the city of Ilion, the center of the ancient Troy region, he appreciated the historical ruins of this city, its other beautiful works, and its importance both by sea and land.
His Majesty the Conqueror investigated the places where heroes like Achilleus, Ajax, and others were buried, and recalling these individuals whom Homer praised greatly, he expressed his appreciative feelings and praised them. It is said that the Sultan nodded his head and uttered these words: 'God preserved and protected me as an ally of this city and its people until this time. We have defeated the enemies of this city and taken their lands. This place was taken by the Macedonians, Thessalians, and Moreans. Despite many years passing, we took revenge on their descendants for the bad deeds they repeatedly committed against us Asians...'
On the other hand, to protect the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea from external attacks, especially from pirate raids, and to connect Europe and Asia, he initiated the construction of strong fortresses on both sides of the Dardanelles (he also hastily reinforced and fortified the Bosphorus in this manner) and sent competent individuals to examine and determine the narrowest and fastest flowing parts of the Strait. These experts explored and determined the area between the cape of Maydos and Eleos and the Dardania region on the Asian coast, which extends for eight stadia (1511 meters), as the deepest part of the Strait, and presented their findings to His Majesty the Sultan.
There are remnants of an ancient tower in the Dardabya region. It is said that one of the rulers attempted to close the Strait with a chain near this tower, but due to the strength of the current, the chain bent and broke, making its use impossible.
His Majesty the Sultan immediately summoned Yakup Bey, the governor of Gelibolu and Bolayır, as well as the commander of the navy and coast, and ordered the urgent construction of the fortresses and the execution of other related tasks, upon which Yakup Bey immediately began the work with great expenses."