The Immortal Emperor: The Life and Legend of Constantine Palaiologos, Last Emperor of the Romans

by Donald M. Nicol

• ISBN13: 9780521894098
• ISBN10: 0521894093
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-05-09
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Constantine XI Palaiologos was the last Christian Emperor of Constantinople and Byzantium. In 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks, he was last seen fighting at the city walls, but the actual circumstances of his death have remained surrounded in myth. In the years that followed it was said that he was not dead but sleeping - the 'immortal emperor' turned to marble, who would one day be awakened by an angel and drive the Turks out of his city and empire. Donald Nicol's book tells the gripping story of Constantine's life and death, and ends with an intriguing account of claims by reputed descendants of his family - some remarkably recent - to be heirs to the Byzantine throne.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations

Preface

List of abbreviations

Genealogical table

1. The dwindling empire

2. Constantine: despot at Mistra

3. Constantine: emperor at Constantinople

4. The fall of Constantinople

5. The death of Constantine

6. The immortal emperor

7. The dying embers

Bibliography

Index.