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Then in 1204, the Venetians led the Fourth Crusade to capture the city of Constantinople. 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 Why was the Ottoman Empire able to seize Constantinople (in 1453)==? ==
By 1453 the Byzantine Empire was splintered, and three so-called Empires were, in reality, only minor statelets. One was the city of Constantinople, its hinterland, and some Aegean islands. The Ottoman Empire had expanded into Europe by the 1450s, and it was a powerful military state. The Ottomans had besieged Constantinople in the past but had failed to overcome its apparently invincible ramparts.<ref> Philippides, Marios and Walter K. Hanak, [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071RR7SPD/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B071RR7SPD&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=efeec868927c19355c051e66a76a7116 The Siege and the Fall of Constantinople in 1453] (Ashgate, Farnham and Burlington 2011), p. 56</ref>
The Emperor was Constantine XI Palaiologos, and he had little power and even fewer resources. He was widely esteemed and regarded as a brave monarch, but the Turks hopelessly outnumbered him. He had scarcely any men with which to defend the walls of the city. The Emperor was dependent on some mercenaries and volunteers from all over Europe and especially Italy. The Genoese contributed ships and men to the defense of the city. Sultan Mehmet assembled a huge army of 60,000 men that possessed massive cannons. Despite the weakness of the city, it was still regarded as the best-defended city in Europe.
The Ottomans besieged the city for fifty-three days and blockaded Constantinople by land and sea. The defenders fought valiantly against the Turks and threw back several assaults. The Ottomans used their heavy cannons to breach the walls, and they swarmed into Constantinople. There followed a great massacre and After the death of walls fell the Byzantine Emperor was killed in battle. The Italians who fought the Byzantines survived the siege and managed to bring many citizens of Constantinople with them to Italy.
====Greek scholars and the Italian Renaissance====
