Second Arab Siege of Constantinople

Topic

The Second Arab Siege of Constantinople (717–718) was a major military campaign in which the Umayyad Caliphate attempted to capture the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Led by Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik, the Arab forces besieged the city by land and sea, but were ultimately defeated due to the strength of Constantinople's fortifications, the Byzantine use of Greek fire, a harsh winter, and an alliance with the Bulgars. The Byzantine victory halted the expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate into Europe for centuries and is considered one of the most decisive battles in history.