Search

Presents historical information on Anabaptists in Austria during the 15th and 16th century, with emphasis on Bavarian religious reformer, Balthasar Hubmaier. Description of the belief system of Anabaptists; Personal background of Hubmaier; Information on his execution.

The article discusses the fall of the Byzantine city Constantinople, or modern-day Istanbul, Turkey, to the Ottoman Turks in May of 1453. It comments on the roles of Constantine XI Palaeologus, Emperor of Byzantium, and Mohammed II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, also called the Lawgiver and the Conqueror. The author reflects on Constantinople's relations with the West and efforts to secure help from the Italian city-states of Venice and Genoa. The author also addresses the sack of the city, which led to its partial destruction, and explores the treatment of its residents by the Turkish forces.