For material on Constantine in the Peloponnesus see William Miller, The Latins in the Levant: A History of Frankish Greece, 1204-1566 (1908). He died fighting in the streets of Constantinople. I did not leave it out as this is not my translation. The quote from Constantine XI is really at the heart of The Last. Alas for me; I did not know what times Providence had in store for me! With this he concluded his speech. The sense of responsibility and determination in that man must have been absolutely astounding. last - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. I was not at his side at that hour but had been inspecting another part of the City, according to his orders. The real point here is that Emperor Constantine XIâs last stand was not like the most famous one in American history, that of General Custer. Some have faith in armament, others in cavalry, might and numbers but we believe in the name of our Lord, our God and Savior, and second, in our arms and strength granted to us by divine power. The Last Emperor. “I know the countless hordes of the impious will advance against us, according to their custom, violently, confidently and with great courage and force in order to overwhelm and wear out our few defenders with hardship. Constantine XI Palaeologus, Palaeologus also spelled Palaiologos, (born February 9, 1404, Constantinople, Byzantine Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]âdied May 29, 1453, Constantinople), the last Byzantine emperor (1449â53), killed in the final defense of Constantinople against the Ottoman Turks. Constantinople existed on the site of an ancient Greek settlement. We are placing all hope in the irresistible glory of God. Ï Î Î±Î»Î±Î¹Î¿Î»ÏÎ³Î¿Ï (Serbian: Konstantin Paleolog DragaÅ¡/ ÐонÑÑанÑин Ðалеолог ÐÑагаÑ), KÅnstantinos XI DragasÄs Palaiologos; 8 February 1404 [1] [2] â 29 May 1453) was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor. So why would Leonard make up the following part of Constantine's final speech? The plain fact is that Constantine had abandoned his imperial quarters at the palace of Blakhernai, which had been turned over to the Venetian bailo and his troops during the siege. So where did the speech come from? Thank you fr bringing it to my attention. “Well, my brothers, if we must fight for one of these obligations, we will be even more liable under the command strength of all four; as you can clearly understand. Your helmets, breastplates and suits of armor are fully sufficient together with your other weapons and will prove very effective in battle. But I hope that such things will not harm us; I see, greatly rejoice, and nourish with hopes in my mind that even if we are few, you are all experienced and seasoned warriors- courageous, brave, and well prepared. If yes , it is a shame indeed. Best, Shame on you for skpping a key part ” the hope and joy of all Hellens”. The Portal for Public History Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. He was extremely fond of his mother and added her surname (Dragases) next to his own dynastic one when he ascended the imperial throne. All Free. “For these reasons, my fellow soldiers, prepare yourselves, be firm, and remain valiant, for the pity of God, Take your example from the few elephants of the Carthaginians and how they dispersed the numerous cavalry of the Romans with their noise and appearance. Fourth, we will be separated from our dearest children, wives and relatives. Thanks for agreeing to fix. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. He later became governor of Selymbria for a time, until surrendering the role to his brother Theodore in 1443. âKýrie, eléison!â Im at the mercy of the translations I used. Ï Î Î±Î»Î±Î¹Î¿Î»ÏγοÏ, KÅnstantinos XI DragasÄs Palaiologos; 8 February 1405 â 29 May 1453) was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor, reigning as a member of the ⦠"-Sultan Mehmet II. The Emperor raised his sword into the air. Answers must be in-depth and comprehensive, or they will be removed. So surely anyone could have put these words in the emperor's mouth? He was the junior colleague of the Augustus Maximian under the Tetrarchy and succeeded him as senior co-emperor of the western part of the empire. Know this, too: If you keep my orders in your heart, I hope to God taht we will be delivered from His present, righteous threat. Actually it seems like the entire speech is a fabrication. If any speeches were made, they would have been very short and hastily improvised at the critical sector. The Byzantine Empire and Roman Empire had fallen. Constantine XI "Paleologos", the last Roman Emperor. Protect your heads with shields in combat and battle. Highly recommend! If one dumb beast put another to flight, we, the masters of horses and animals, can surely even do better against our advancing enemies, since they are dumb animals, worse even than pigs. Including the prologue, a list of characters, and a handful of illustrations, The Last runs 13,473 words over 45 pages. Please confirm if nothing was left out. and joined his men in the desperate fight. I implore you today to become, with all your souls, the defenders of this City caught in the misfortunes of such a war; for you have come to know her as your second homeland and mother forever. She became the Queen of Cities, the shield and aid of our homeland, the shelter of Christians, the hope and joy of all wishes to destroy this city, which was once proud and blooming like a rose of the field. Well, in History, feeling always intrudes and whether Constantine XI said it or not in the manner put forth, others much closer to the event, had their own reaction to that perilous night. In AD 330, the Roman emperor Constantine did the unthinkable: He moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Asia Minor, now modern-day Turkey. Further Reading on Constantine XI. And he died, fighting the Infidel, at the head of his Greek imperial army, faithful to God, the Church, the 1500-year Greco-Roman Christian Empire. 21 July] 1868 â 11 January 1923) was King of Greece from 18 March 1913 to 11 June 1917 and from 19 December 1920 to 27 September 1922. John Julius Norwich’s three volume history is my favorite and not a single page of it was boring. “Consider then, my brothers and comrades in arms, how the commemoration of our death, our memory, fame and freedom can be rendered eternal.”, He next turned and addressed the Venetians, who were standing at his right side: “Noble Venetians, my dearest brothers in Christ, courageous men, experienced and seasoned fighters! “Most noble leader, illustrious tribunes, generals, most courageous fellow soldiers and all loyal honest citizens! Although I agree with much of what Philippides has to say, I don't think that Constantine's speech to the gathered men was entirely concocted. Our enemies have no and use no such weapons. He spent most of his childhood in Constantinople under the supervision of his parents. You know well that the hour has come: the enemy of our faith wishes to oppress us even more closely by sea and land with all his engines and skill to attack us with the entire strength of this siege force, as a snake about to spew its venom; he is in a hurry to devour us, like a savage lion. From the six boys two of them ascended the Emperorâs throne, John VIII and Constantine XI; the last being the legendary Emperor. Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos was the last emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, today more commonly known as the Byzantine Empire. The Siege and the Fall of Constantinople in 1453: Historiography, Topography, and Military Studies, you don’t have a heart if you didn’t cry at this moment. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Suddenly, he appeared and built his castle in the straights of Asomatosso he might be able to inflict daily harm on us. Second, we will be deprived of such famous homeland and of our liberty. Margaret Carroll. I implore and beg you to exhibit, if you have any affection for me, the proper honor and obedience to your commanders, tribunes, and centurions, each according to his rank, regiment, and duty. Press J to jump to the feed. The Fall of the Byzantine Empire: A Chronicle by George Sphrantzes 1401-1477, Constantine XI Dragaš Palaeologus (1404–1453): The Last Emperor of Byzantium, The Siege and the Fall of Constantinople in 1453: Historiography, Topography, and Military Studies, The Eight Ecumenical Councils & Local Synods, The Dangers Of Great Teachers & Their Heresies – Saint Vincent of Lerins – The Commonitory – An Indictment Against the Reformation, Memento Mori – Morning Prayer – A Prayer to the Holy Trinity, Fatherland – Work – Family: My Political Compass Results, (Video) Memento Mori – Yukio Mishima – On an Honorable Death, Video: Seven Nation Army Can’t Stop Rhodesia. 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