Siege of Constantinople (Pagan Reborn)

Background
Siege of Constantinople was direct consequence of Papal Proclamation from 1071, when powerhungry pope Gregory VII proclaimed himself absolute ruler of all rulers and also declared islam as branch of christianity and orthodox christians as heretics and enemies of christianity.

Emperor Constantinos, with support of many Roman catholic priests, declared his own anti-Pope Hieronymus as leader of Roman Church and in response, Gregory declared alliance with caliph and called Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich IV to arms.

First Crusade
In 1071, pope Gregory called for First Crusade against "infidels, traitors, heretics and pagans!" and called islamic forces to arms.

Since December 1079 to September 1080, Crusader Armies besieged Constantinople. Roman Church armies and Holy Roman Empire army conquered Balkan, Bulgaria and besieged Constantinople from north, while Arabs armies besieged Constantinople from south and south-east. United Arabic-HRE fleet cut Constantinople in two halfs, while fifteen-years old Emperess Irena and her husband was in Emperor Great Palace, and their childern in small fort on southern coast.

Early stage
To annihilate Byzantine dynasty, Pope ordered Arabs soldiers to find and murder Irene and Constantinos childern. Their newborn twins Julia and Justinian were murdered February 8, 1080 by unknown butchers and Irene promised to avenge them.

Greek Fire was succsessfully used and repeled first 8 attacks on Theodosian Walls. Attempts of Holy Alliance fleet to land on Bosporus beaches ended with massacres of landing forces by defenders and destroying large number of invading ships were destroyed.

Traitors within defenders!
In April 1080, Holy Alliance finally reached first great victory in siege of Constantinople, when commander of southern garrison, strategos Ioannes defected to enemy side, opened gates and welcomed Holy Alliance as "liberators".

From that moment, Holy Alliance was finally able to gather enough forces, resources, supplies and reinforcements to final attack against northern half of Constantinople. Ioannes also revealed all weakness and strong points of Constantinople defense and was granted with incomes from Basra and Sevilla. Ioannes later died as rich and powerful landlord.

Emperess escape.
In August 1080 was revealed that Emperess is pregnant. Emperor Constantinos ordered his wife to use last clear way from northern Constantinople, to escape pass Black Sea coast and to find exile in Pagania. Emperess did not want to left her husband, but niether to fall in Arab captivity and to loss another child.

Emperess escape was also last manifestation of Constantinople defenders. Under direct command of Constantinos, all remaining defenders of Constantinople opened northern gates and in great rage, to tie as much enemies as can, attacked on Holy Roman Emperor forces. One large wave of defenders breakthrough siege lines, destroyed many siege weapons, plundered many camps and killed dozens thousands siege troops, including seven enemy generals and Arab grand-admiral Mutazim.

Attacking wave was repeled after whole day of plundering and Emperor Constantinos fall in fight with Holy Roman Emperor personal guard. Last pockets of Constantinople defenders fall after three weeks, for whole time Emperess Irene had time to escape and move to her destination.

Aftermath.
Supporters of Holy Alliance claimed this siege as great victory. Emperor died, Emperess was somewhere, garrison surrender, were killed or defected, Byzantine Empire was dismantle and anti-pope Hieronymus committed suicide.

However, heavy losses suffered during battle marked start of their final defeat in Battle of Five Emperors. Liberation of Constantinople in 1083 and total defeat of remaining Holy Alliance forces only supporting claim it was pyrrhic victory.