Constantine XI Palaiologos (1405 – 1453), known in Greek as Konstantinos XI Dragases Palaiologos (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Δραγάσης Παλαιολόγος), was the Despot of Morea from 1443 to 1449 and the last Byzantine Emperor from 1449 until his death.
He was also the uncle of Andreas and Manuel Palaiologos, both of whom would go on to make separate attempts at a resurgence of the Byzantine Empire, ultimately with no success.
History[]
Constantine became Byzantine Emperor in January 1449, following a brief succession dispute after his eldest brother John VIII died in October 1448.
In 1511, the Master Assassin Yusuf Tazim would claim that "under the Byzantine Emperor" Assassins were systematically captured and executed, although it is unclear if he was referring to Constantine specifically, emperors of the Palaiologos dynasty more broadly, or even Byzantine Emperors across history in general.[1]
As the Emperor, he spearheaded the final defense of Constantinople against the Ottoman Empire in 1453, and managed to hold the city for 54 days before Ottoman cannons finally breached the city's walls in two places on 29 May of the same year.[2]
After holding Mass for one last time in Blachernae Palace with his generals, Constantine waited for the Ottomans to enter the walls. When they did, he tore off his Imperial regalia and led his remaining men in a desperate last defense of the city, though he would presumably die in the attack and be buried with his men in a mass grave, as his body was never identified. The Ottoman Sultan who led the siege, Mehmet II, was successful in taking Constantinople due to his possession of an Apple of Eden.[2]
Trivia[]
- Constantine is a name derived from Latin constans, meaning "constant, steadfast." Palaiologos is a combination of Greek words palaios, "old, ancient" and logos, "word, speech, discourse."
- His other surname, Dragases was adopted by Constantine in honour of his mother, to whom he was close. A Serbian noblewoman named Jelena Dragaš (Helene Dragase in Greek), she served as regent in Constantinople while his succession was contested by his Ottoman-backed younger brother Demetrios, and her mediation helped him to secure the throne. She returned to monastic life thereafter, and after her death the following year, became venerated by the Eastern Orthodox Church as Saint Hypomone (which translates as "Saint Patience").