On May 29, 1453, after eight weeks of siege, the heavily fortified city finally fell to Ottoman troops. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI, died in the fighting and the Byzantine Empire faded out of history. Sultan Mehmet entered the city on horseback the following day, stopping at Hagia Sophia to pray. The devastated condition of the city prompted him to cut short the three days of pillaging traditionally allowed to the soldiers. This was the place intended for his new capital, and he was resolved to restore it to its past grandeur and prosperity.