Giustiniani, Giovanni Longo

   Genoese commander who led the defense of the land walls during Mehmed II's (q.v.) siege of Constantinople (q.v.) in 1453. In January ofthat year he arrived with 700 troops recruited from Genoa, Chios, and Rhodes (qq.v.), placing himself and his soldiers at the service of Constantine XI (q.v.). Historical accounts of the siege stress his important role in repairing and defending the land walls until, in the final Ottoman (q.v.) assault, he was wounded and carried from the scene of battle. He died either at Galata (q.v.) or on Chios.