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The fall of the city was to have immense consequences for the Italian Renaissance. Fleeing Greek scholars were to influence the direction and the course of the Renaissance decisively. It led to the increasing availability of Greek learning that changed the intellectual climate in Italy. This led to a greater knowledge of Ancient Greek language and lore in philosophy and Renaissance science. The Fall of Constantinople also changed the geopolitics of the Mediterranean, and it left Italy exposed to Ottoman attacks. The Byzantine Empire's end also contributed to the decline of the great cities of Genoa and Venice.
====Background==What was the relationship between Byzantium and Italy before the Fall of Constantinople in 1453? ==
[[File: Constantinople 2.jpg|350px|thumb|left| The reconstructed walls of Constantinople]]
Byzantium and Italy had a long and complicated history. In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian reconquered much of the peninsulas from the Goths after a devastating war. The Byzantines lost much of their conquests after the Germanic tribe. The Lombards invaded Italy. However, Byzantium retained control of Sicily and much of Southern Italy. There was a Byzantine presence in Italy until the mid-1050s until the Normans expelled them during their conquest of southern Italy and Sicily. Byzantium was often at odds with the Papacy in Rome over ecclesiastical jurisdictions and theological and liturgical disputes. These were ultimately to lead to the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western churches in the 11th century. Italians and Byzantines came into conflict in the aftermath of the ‘Latin massacre’ in Byzantium. This was the widespread killing of Italian merchants in the city in the 12th century.
Then in 1204, the Venetians led the Fourth Crusade to capture the city of ByzantiumConstantinople. Despite the tensions, there was a great deal of cultural exchange resulting from trade. Byzantine culture was very influential in the history of Italian art and architecture. 'New Rome' influenced the evolution of painting in the city-states. For example, the Byzantine tradition of icon painting was decisive in early Italian painting. This was also the case in architecture, and the styles developed in the Eastern empire inspired Italian architects in the early years of the Renaissance. However, by the 14th century, Byzantium's influence and culture were negligible in Italy as the Renaissance entered its most important phase. Indeed the Byzantine was regarded with contempt by many Italians.
====The Fall of Constantinople (1453)====
