Mehmed II

Empires

After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, overland trade to Asia becomes dangerous and expensive. European powers scramble to find sea routes to Asia—dir…

• 1453 CE

  Fall of Constantinople ends Silk Road era

  After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, overland trade to Asia becomes dangerous and expensive. European powers scramble to find sea routes to Asia—directly triggering the Age of Exploration and Columbus's voyages.