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[[Image:Constantine XI Palaiologos.jpg|right|thumb| Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos.]]'''Constantine XI Palaeiologos''', or '''PalaeologosPalaiologos''' (Gr: ''Κωνσταντίνος ΙΑ' Δραγάσης Παλαιολόγος'', also '' '''Dragases''' ''), was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor emperor of the [[Palaiologos Dynasty]], born as well as the last of the Roman Emperors. Born in 1404 AD in [[Mystras]], and he ruled from 1449 until his death in on [[May 29]], 1453, at the [[Fall of Constantinople]].  == Brief history ==Constantine was the son of Emperor Manuel II. He is also referred to was trained as a soldier and in 1441 conquered the Morea Peninsula of Greece. It had long been under the Frankish principality of 'Achaia'<ref> 'Dragases''Achaia': A state established by the Crusaders. </ref> Constantine was crowned Emperor [[January 6]], 1449 AD succeeding his brother. A little less than five years later in 1453 AD he was killed during the final assaults by the Turkish Sultan, Mehmed II on Constantinople. Constantine, with some 8,000 Greeks, Venetians, and Genoese, had faced 150,000 Turkish besiegers under the Sultan, and after almost two months of heroic defense, directed by the emperor, the city and the empire fell. Constantine died fighting with the last of his men.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/constantine-xi Columbia Encyclopedia: Constantine XI].</ref>. Going back to Augustus and the ancient Roman Empire, he was the 138th and last Roman Emperor.

Image:Constantinos XI Palaiologos.jpg|<small>Constantine XI Palaiologos</small>Image:CPalaeologos.JPG|<small>Statue of Constantine XI Palaeiologos, Mystra, Greece</small>Image:CPalaeologos2.JPG|<small>Close up of Statue</small>

== Brief History Saintly Status ==Orthodox do not consider Constantine was XI a [[saint]], though there are some who incorrectly, personally consider him so because of their love of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire. However, the son of last Emperor Manuel II. He was trained has never been recognized as a soldier Saint due to his heretical beliefs and his compromising of the Faith in order to gain material aid from Latin lands. When the Empire was in 1441 conquered need, he sought Latin military aid by reaffirming the Morea Peninsula heretical statements of Greecethe Council of Florence.<ref>[https://en. It had long been under wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_XI_Palaiologos].</ref>. And it is said that he defiled the Frankish principality Church of '''Achaia''' Agia Sophia the day/night before the Fall with a blended Divine Liturgy and Latin mass. <ref> '''Achaia'''https: A state established by the Crusaders//grbs.library.duke.edu/article/viewFile/14639/3803]. </ref> Constantine was crowned Emperor In attempting to preserve an earthly Empire, he lost a Heavenly Kingdom. In contrast, there is Tzar [[january 6Lazar of Serbia]], 1449 AD succeeding his brother and a little less who gave up an earthly Kingdom for the Heavenly. The Faith is always more important than five years in 1453 AD was killed during the final assaults by the Turkish Sultan, Mehmed II, advances on Constantinopleearthly possessions.

* UNESCO World Heritage site of '''[[Mystras]]'''* St. '''[[Ipomoni]]''', ''Born as'' '''Helen DragasesHelena Dragaš''' ''before <ref>Before becoming a [[nun ]] and assuming the name Ipomoni. She , Helena was the mother of Constantine XI Palaiologos''. She lived a [[monasticism|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.</ref>

<gallery>== Further Reading ==Image* [[w:IpomoniKaraDonald Nicol|Donald M. Nicol]]. ''[http://books.google.jpg|Relics ca/books?id=lnSmnmL984YC&pg=PP1&dq=The+Immortal+Emperor#PPP1,M1 The Immortal Emperor: The Life and Legend of Constantine Palaiologos, Last Emperor of Stthe Romans]''. Ipomoni</gallery>Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN 0521894093, 9780521894098 (174 pp)