The Turkish capture of Constantinople in 1453 is conventionally regarded as an Asiatic conquest. The Turks originated in Asia — it is true — but Constantinople was conquered from the west not the east: the Ottomans became a European power before they became a Middle Eastern one […]. ⸺ Warwick Ball (2013). “Sultans Of Rome: The Turkish World Expansion” (1st edition). Back-Cover Blurb.