"The Empire's Last Gasp":
The Siege of Vienna

Introduction

by Steve Phenow from the Messenger

The Battle of Vienna's Aftermath

The Turkish Army's major units, that evening after the battle, Sept 12, retreated to Budin fortress, where they prepared for a siege. Sobieski however was more interested in plundering the Turkish camp and preparing for the Austrian Emperor's return to Vienna, then in a decisive pursuit. It wasn't until after the army's escort returned Emperor Leopold to Vienna, Sept. 14, that the King ordered an advance against Budin. The Turks were gone however, retreating to the powerful fortress at Belgrade. Sobieski shrewdly saw no profit in continuing the campaign, which now had the chance of a change of fortune. Instead, he declared the Turk beaten, and Europe safe once again. He returned to Poland, where he ruled for another decade.

As for the Grand Vizer Mustafa, he falsified his losses, and assured his sultan, Mehmed IV, that he would be able to resume the offense, but the sultan saw through the ruse. When Mustafa refused to return to Istanbul, claiming he was too involved in invasion preparations, the sultan ordered his execution. On Dec. 25th, it was carried out: strangulation by silken bow string, a fate reserved only for traitors to the Empire. So fell Kara Mustafa, a victim to his own thirst for ambition

Mehmed IV never gave another Vizer as much power, and the results were startling. By the 1690s the Turks were in retreat throughout the Balkans. The 300 year Turkish stranglehold on Europe had been broken, Vienna indeed was the Turkish Empire's last gasp.

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