Constantine XI Palaiologos
| Constantine XI Palaiologos | |
|---|---|
Constantine XI Palaiologos
|
|
| Emperor of the Byzantine Empire | |
| Reign | 6 January 1449 – 29 May 1453 |
| Coronation | 6 January 1449 |
| Predecessor | John VIII Palaiologos |
| Born |
8 February 1405 Constantinople |
| Died | 29 May 1453 (aged 48) Constantinople |
| Spouse |
Caterina Gattilusio |
| Dynasty | Palaiologos |
| Father | Manuel II Palaiologos |
| Mother | Helena Dragaš |
Constantine XIDragases Palaiologos, Latinized as Palaeologus (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος ΙΑ' Δραγάσης Παλαιολόγος, Kōnstantinos XI Dragasēs Palaiologos; 8 February 1405 – 29 May 1453) was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor, reigning as a member of the Palaiologos dynasty from 1449 to his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople. Following his death, he became a legendary figure in Greek folklore as the "Marble Emperor" who would awaken and recover the Empire and Constantinople from the Ottomans. His death marked the end of the Roman Empire, which had continued in the East for 977 years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Constantine was born in Constantinople, as the eighth of ten children to Manuel II Palaiologos and Helena Dragaš, the daughter of the Serbian magnate Constantine Dragaš. He was extremely fond of his mother and added her surname (Dragases) next to his own dynastic one when he ascended the imperial throne. He spent most of his childhood in Constantinople under the supervision of his parents. He was governor of Selymbria for a time, until surrendering the role to his brother Theodore in 1443. During the absence of his older brother John at the Council of Florence in Italy, Constantine served as his regent in Constantinople (1437–1440).
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