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

The first biography of the last Byzantine Emperor.

Donald M. Nicol (Author)

9780521894098, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 May 2002

176 pages, 17 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1 cm, 0.27 kg

'… lucid and compelling …' The Times

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]