February 22, 2012
Constantine XI Palaiologos Constantine was the last Byzantine emperor, and in 1453 the city of Constantinople came under siege from a Turkish army lead by Mehmed II. Before the beginning of the siege, Mehmed II made an offer to Constantine XI. If the city surrendered, the emperor’s life would be spared and he would continue to rule in Mistra, to which, as preserved by G. Sphrantzes, Constantine replied:“To surrender the city to you is beyond my authority or anyone else’s who lives in it, for all of us, after taking the mutual decision, shall die out of free will without sparing our lives.”He commanded his soldiers in the defence of the city and personally joined the fierce hand to hand fighting on the walls. At the same time, he used his diplomatic skills to maintain the necessary unity between the Genovese, Venetian and the Greek troops.He died on 29 May 1453, as Turkish troops finally breached the city walls. His last recorded words were: “The city is fallen and I am still alive”,  He then tore off his imperial ornaments so as to let nothing to distinguish him from any other soldier and led his remaining soldiers into a last charge where he was killed.

Constantine XI Palaiologos

Constantine was the last Byzantine emperor, and in 1453 the city of Constantinople came under siege from a Turkish army lead by Mehmed II.

Before the beginning of the siege, Mehmed II made an offer to Constantine XI. If the city surrendered, the emperor’s life would be spared and he would continue to rule in Mistra, to which, as preserved by G. Sphrantzes, Constantine replied:

“To surrender the city to you is beyond my authority or anyone else’s who lives in it, for all of us, after taking the mutual decision, shall die out of free will without sparing our lives.”

He commanded his soldiers in the defence of the city and personally joined the fierce hand to hand fighting on the walls. At the same time, he used his diplomatic skills to maintain the necessary unity between the Genovese, Venetian and the Greek troops.

He died on 29 May 1453, as Turkish troops finally breached the city walls. His last recorded words were: “The city is fallen and I am still alive”,  He then tore off his imperial ornaments so as to let nothing to distinguish him from any other soldier and led his remaining soldiers into a last charge where he was killed.

4:25pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Z6P00yGs7xDg
(Notes: 17)
  
Filed under: History Byzantine 
  1. deoxyribonucleic-acid-trip reblogged this from pro-patria-mori
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  3. thequitecool reblogged this from pro-patria-mori and added:
    real OG guys, RIP Palaiobrogos.
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  7. skwg reblogged this from amicusursorum and added:
    was he one of the dwarves in moria?
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