[481] Crit. lxvii. The Superior of the Franciscans reported that three thousand men were killed on both sides on May 29. Probably we shall not be far wrong in saying that between three and four thousand were killed on May 29 on the Christian side and fifty thousand made prisoners.
[482] Barbaro and Ducas.
[483] Barbaro pretends, indeed, that they were the victims of a trick on the part of the Genoese, who wished to secure their own safety by seizing their ships and delivering them to Mahomet. His story, like everything else he says about the Genoese, may well be doubted.
[484] A portion of the chain which formed part of the boom is now in the narthex of St. Irene. Its links average about eighteen inches long.
[485] Tetaldi states that the Turks captured a Genoese ship and from thirteen to sixteen others.
[486] Ducas says five.
[487] Crit. lxvii.
[488] Ibid. lxiii.
[489] About three fourths of the sea-walls were taken down. The remaining fourth was spared, and a portion of them near Azap Capou still remains.
[490] Angeli Johannis Zachariae Potestatis Perae Epistola. Leonard, p. 100. Ducas says that Mahomet had an inventory made of the property of those who had fled, and gave the owners three months within which to return, failing which, it would be confiscated.