Final answer:
The Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, following centuries of challenges and decline in power that culminated in the capture of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1453, the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottoman Turks, marking the end of a long era of Byzantine history and leading to significant cultural and political shifts in the region. The Byzantine Empire, which had continued the legacy of the Eastern Roman Empire, faced numerous challenges over the centuries, including invasions and the rising power of Turkic tribes. After the decline following the Macedonian dynasty's reign, incursions by various Turkic groups, and an unsuccessful blockade by the Ottomans under Bayezid I, the empire finally succumbed to the Ottomans under Sultan Mehmed II. The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks is known as both a disaster for the Greek Orthodox community and a victory for the Muslims, as it was celebrated as a divine prophecy.