Siege of Mytilene (1462)

The Siege of Mytilene was the successful capture through bombardment and assault of the fortress town of Mytilene on Lesbos by the Ottoman Turks in 1462. The ruler of Lesbos, Niccolò Gattilusio, had at first refused to surrender his domain, trusting to the fortifications of his city and its garrison of 5,000. After four days of skirmishing, Sultan Mehmed II ordered the city bombarded with the six giant cannons he brought with him. The damage these cannons caused could not be repaired, and when the Janissaries penetrated the city, Niccolò was forced to admit his defeat. He surrendered Mytilene and the rest of the island.