Constantine XI Palaiologos

Constantine XI Palaeiologos, or Palaeologos (Gr: Κωνσταντίνος ΙΑ' Δραγάσης Παλαιολόγος), was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor of the Palaiologos Dynasty, born 1404 AD in Mystras, and ruled from 1449 until his death in May 29, 1453. He is also referred to as Dragases.

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  Statue of Constantine XI Palaeiologos, Mystra, Greece

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  Close up of Statue

Brief History

Constantine was the son of Emperor Manuel II. He was trained as a soldier and in 1441 conquered the Morea Peninsula of Greece. It had long been under the Frankish principality of Achaia Constantine was crowned Emperor january 6, 1449 AD succeeding his brother and a little less than five years in 1453 AD was killed during the final assaults by the Turkish Sultan, Mehmed II, advances on Constantinople.

See also

• UNESCO World Heritage site of Mystras
• St. Ipomoni, Born as Helen Dragases before becoming a nun and assuming the name Ipomoni. She was the mother of Constantine XI Palaiologos. She lived a monastic life for over 25 years, after entering into the habit after the death of her husband. She died 1450AD and is commemorated by the church May 29. The relics of her skull and her icon are found at the Monastery of St. Patapios, Loutraki of Korinthos, Greece.