Constantinople was a heavily fortified capital city that Muslim armies could not defeat for three key reasons: it was located on an easily defended point surrounded by water and rugged terrain; it had thick and extensive city walls; and it utilized Greek fire, a chemical weapon that burned upon impact and spread when doused with water. Additionally, the Battle of Tours led by Charles Martel halted the Muslim advance in Europe and earned him the nickname "the Hammer".

1. Confrontation with Islam

2. Muslim armies could not overpower
Constantinople
• Constantinople was the capital of Byzantine
Empire

3. 3 reasons Constantinople could not be
defeated
1. It was located on easily defended point
It was surrounded by water on two sides
and rugged terrain on the other

5. 2. City walls were thick and extensive

6. 3. Had Greek fire, which was chemical mixture
that burned on impact and spread when doused
with water

7. Battle of Tours
• Stopped the advancement of the Muslims in
Europe
• European troops were led by Charles Martel
• He is called “the Hammer”

9. Charles Martel