This was one-half of the Roman Empire, and it only fell a little over five hundred years ago. That isn't so long in the scheme of things. And counting the modern state of Turkey, it was just two administrations previous.
The Roman Empire is not so ancient history after all.
You are totally correct.
They fell because the West undermined them for many years.
With a little support they could have survived.
Imagine the modern world with the Roman Empire.
Not it is not. The only reason that the Turks have been able to hold onto Byzantium is the goddamned British Empire and other European countries who do not want Russia to have a warm water port. I cannot tell you how many times the British aided Turkey against Russia and other Eastern European powers.