1481, "La Grande Aquila è morta!"

 

The territorial extent of the Ottoman Empire upon the death of Mehmed II.

Mehmed II died on 3 May, one thousand four hundred and eighty one,
                                                                                 [at the age of forty-nine,
a Sultan warrior who has always been,
                                         [the head of the army in the war, on the front line....

The news of Mehmed's death caused great rejoicing in Europe;
                                             [church bells were rung and celebrations held.

"La Grande Aquila è morta!" ('The Great Eagle is dead!')
                                                               [in Venice people sang and yelled,
neither you nor anyone else will conquer the Republic of San Marco
                                                                                    [the Republic of glory....

They were relieved because when Mehmed and his army,

                                were moving to conquer, the result was known a priori.

Although he was seen as an enemy and the culprit,
                                                [of many deaths and sufferings of Christians,
we have to admit that he was an enlightened leader,
                                                       [and with no doubt made wise decisions.

Mehmed's thirty-one year rule and numerous wars expanded the Ottoman Empire,

                                                  [which included the Roman Empire and all lands east,
as Constantinople, Turkish kingdoms, Bosnia, the Kingdom of Serbia, and Albania
                                                                                        [achieving 100 victories, at least ..

According to the historian Colin Heywood, there is substantial evidence,
                                          [that Mehmed was murdered with poisoned food.
Not at all strange, in the Middle Ages and Renaissance,

                                                                                   [all stories so conclude.

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to be continued

''IT COULD BE OTHERWISE in verse''
Texts and Narration: Odysseus Heavilayias - ROTTERDAM //
Language adjustments and text adaptation: Kellene G Safis - CHICAGO//
Digital adaptation and text editing: Cathy Rapakoulia Mataraga - PIRAEUS//
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