Another What If: Ottoman Europe [Archive] - Civilization Fanatics' Forums
Capture of Otranto
Mehmed II had a desire to unite the Roman Empire together under his rule. Having captured Constantinople in 1453, he was half way there. In 1480, Mehmed ordered the invasion of Italy. Around 150 ships carrying about 50,000 men landed on the shores of southen Italy as the unprepared citizens and garrison ran to safety in the citadel in the Castle of Otranto. Cannons wore down the walls and the Ottoman force easily vanquished the garrison and captured the fort. They stayed there for two years as the news of the city's occupation spread throughout Europe.
In Rome, panic set in as plans were made for the Pope and the Roman Citizens to evacuate Rome as the threat neared. The Pope later called for a Crusade to drive the invading force out. Many Italian city states as well as Hungary and France responded to the call and an army was prepared to take back the fort. Future King Alfonso II of Naples was to lead the army prepared by his father. Unfortunatly, dued to the lack of food, most of the Turkic force was withdrawn back to Albania, coming back next year to conquer the rest of Italy. The city was destroyed in two Battles that followed that drove whats left of the Turkish Army out.
What if?
Now what if the main army had came back to hold back the attackers? My guess is this:
1. The Turkish force would hold the city but at a pricely cost. Most Likely half the forces wold die in the attack. But that will still leave the Ottoman force with 25000 troops, enough to wreck harvoc and possibly enough to reach and capture Naples until reinforcement came to boost strenght, supply and morale for a full attack at Rome and the other Italian city states.
With a back door from Italy, the Ottomans could subdue Austria in a double front attack and link the Italian gains with the Balkans and pave open the way to HRE and Hungary.
But that time, Europe would be to busy sorting out the Protestant to actually fight together in a crusade to bring Ottoman Turkey down. In 1524, the HRE suffered a massive religious Revolt called the Peasants War, the revolt ending in 1525. Having conquered Hungary in 1526 and HRE still weak from the war. Suleiman the Magnificent will sieze the chance and invade HRE. Siding with the Protestant rebels, Suleiman would tear through Germany, spilting the country in half, the Southen Half, annexed into the empire. The northen half an Independent Protestant Nation. France and Spain, endangered by the Islamic and Protestant threat, declare war on the Ottoman Empire. England remains decisively neutral as Henry the VIII wonders wheter to side with Catholic Christianity, or agaisnt his old enemies. Fighting on both sides is serious, neither side giving an inch or land away with heavy casualties on both sides. German insurgents threathen to disrupt war supplies. As the Savafid threat in Asia looms, Suleimen decides to end the war. The Treaty of Lyon is drawn up. Both sides agree to a 30 year peace, Turkish forces will move out of Germany but stays in Austria. Turkey also agrees to cecede Savoy to France and Spain and France pays Turkey a grant of xxxxxx Spanish Coins and set tribute for 5 years.
