Why Umayyad Caliphate Failed to Captured Constantinople? History Analyzer.

 

Source: Art Station.

Today, we will analyze, why Umayyad Caliphate failed to captured Constantinople, Capital Of Byzantine Empire. We will discuss about one important event at history. Please read this article until end, because we will discuss, how giant kingdom such as Umayyad Caliphate failed to captured Constantinople. Please subscribe my blog and share this article for support our blog in educate people about Islamic History. Happy reading and let we entered discussion.

At 658-659 AD, First Umayyad Caliph. Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan held peace covenant with Byzantine Emperor, Constantine II ( ruled 641-668 AD). But, after this, broke conflict beetwen Umayyad Dynasty and Byzantine Empire. According Historian Muhammad Abdullathif, motive from this conflict is Constantine II provocate residents at Mediterranian Islands to attack Syria and Egypt, and Constantine II also send Byzantine Army to them for do his plan. Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan doing raid at terrain and sea to Byzantine Territories until he besieged Constantinople for 2 time.  Muawiya send his army to attack Byzantine Territories at Anatolia.

At 669 AD Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan send his army under his son, Yazid Ibn Muawiya to besieged Constantinople. Umayyad Army fight againt Byzantine Army for several day, until they entered Constantinople.  Yazid Ibn Muawiya fight bravely under Wall Of Constantinople and he mentioned by Fata Al-Arab ( Arabian Young Hero), though Constantinople not fall to Umayyad Army . At 674-680 AD, Muawiya send his army to captured Constantinople for second time. According Greek Historian Theopanes, Umayyad Army destroyed at this battle because Byzantine Army use new gun: greekfire.  At 672 AD, Umayyad Dynasty started occupied Mediterrania Islands that became Byzantine Territories. At 672 AD, Umayyad Dynasty occupied Island Of Rhodes. At 674 AD, they occupied Island Of Crete and at 680 AD, Muawiya die and after his die, Umayyad Dynasty split because civil war, for Umayyad Civil War, you can read this article:
Yazid Ibn Muawiya: First Muslim Commander Who Besieged Constantinople. - ACITYA HISTORY

Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan: Arcithect From Umayyad s Golden Age - ACITYA HISTORY

At Era Of Caliph Walid Ibn Abdul Malik, Umayyad Army under Commander Maslamah Ibn Abdul Malik attack Byzantine Fortress at Anatolia, included Fortress Of Al-Hadid, Ghazalah, Bergama, and Malatya.

At Era Of Caliph Sulaiman Ibn Abdul Malik (715-712 AD), trial for conquer Constantinople doing again.  At 716-717 AD, Sulaiman Ibn Abdul Malik send his army under his brother, Maslama Ibn Abdul Malik for conquer Constantinople.  At 717 AD, Umayyad Navy under  Caliph Sulaiman and Maslamah numbered 1800 galleons  went to Constantinople. Caliph Sulaiman lead navy to block Constantinople Wall and Maslamah lead Umayyad army to attack terrain s wall at Constantinople.

Maslamah besieged  One Byzantine City, Amorites that lead by Leo Of Isauria , an Anatolian who have plan to ousted Byazantine Emperor, Theodosius III, Leo Of Isauria held peace covenant with Maslamah and Maslamah stop siege. Leo pretend join with Muslim Army to achieve Constantinople. And when Constantinople besieged by Umayyad Army  at 717 AD, Leo  infiltrate to Constantinople and ousted Theodosius III. Leo, now is Byzantine Emperor and he cheat Maslamah for stop siege. He advice to Maslamah for burn Muslim Logistic Stock for make Byzantine Empire submit to Umayyad Dynasty, because fear total raid will doing by Maslamah. Maslamah command his army to burn Umayyad Logistic.  Happened  famine at Umayyad Army until they forced to eat their transportation animal and leave.

At 718 AD, Umayyad Dynasty lead by Caliph Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz and he  pull Umayyad Army from Constantinople because famine disaster at Umayyad Army.

From this narration, we know factor that make Umayyad Dynasty failed to Conquer Constantinople is they has minim weapon to faced Byzantine Army. And,  Maslamah s attitued that easy fooled by enemy also factor that make Umayyad Dynasty cannot conquer Constantinople.

Refrences:
Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Abdul Lathif, Prof.DR.Abdussyafi Muhammad: Bangkit dan Runtuhnya Khilafah Bani Umayyah: 41-133 H/661-750 M, Kekhalifahan Islam Pertama Setelah Khulafaur Rasyidin. Pustaka Al-Kautsar,2023 M.