270 DESTEUCTION OF THE GEEEK EMPIEE the peninsula of Galata. The statement may well be doubted, but the failure to capture the four ships probably hasteued the execution of a project already formed, and, like all his plans, carefully concealed until the moment for action. Reasons The reasons which urged Mahomet to try to gain project. entrance to the Golden Horn were principally three : to weaken the defence at the landward walls, to exercise control over the Genoese of Galata, and to facilitate the communications with his base at Koumelia-Hissar. So long as he was excluded, the enemy had only two sides of the triangular-shaped city to defend ; whereas if the Turkish ships could range up alongside the walls on the side of the Horn the army within the city, already wretchedly inadequate for the defence on the landward and Marmora sides, would have to be weakened by the withdrawal of men necessary to guard the newly attacked position. The possession of the Horn would enable Mahomet to exercise a dominant influence over Galata. This was a matter of great importance, because at any time the hostility of the Genoese might have enormously increased the diffi- culties of the siege and probably have compelled him to raise it. There were, indeed, already signs that Genoese sentiment was unfriendly to him. The position of the Genoese in Galata was a singular one. The city was entirely theirs and under their government. It was surrounded by strong walls which were built on the slope of the steep hill and with those on the side of the Golden Horn formed a large but irregular triangle. The highest position in the city was crowned by the noble tower still existing, and then known as the Tower of Christ. Constantinople and Galata were each interested in keeping the splendid natural harbour closed. Behind Galata — that is, immediately behind the walls of the city — the heights and all the back country were held by the Turks. Like most neutrals, the people of Galata were accused by each of the combatants of giving aid to the other side. The archbishop, himself a Genoese by origin, is loud in his
