When the End is Nigh Trivia Quiz

Answer: Palaiologos Dynasty

Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos was not only the last Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, but the last Emperor of his dynasty. The Palaiologos Dynasty, under Michael VIII, began rule of the Empire of Nicaea in 1259 and re-united the Byzantine Empire two years later, ruling until his death in 1282. Earlier in the thirteenth century, leaders of the Fourth Crusade, had conquered the Byzantine Empire and ruled it for several decades. Byzantine Greek aristocrats established successor states in other territories of which the Empire of Nicaea was one.

Although it sounds like Constantine XI would have a direct connection to the Constantinian Dynasty, it was actually begun by Roman Emperor Constantine I (306-337) who moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to a city he described as "New Rome", but soon became known as Constantinople. His dynasty lost power by the end of the fourth century. The Justinian Dynasty of the sixth century is best known for Justinian I (527-565), under whose leadership the Byzantine Empire reached its greatest territorial extent. The Komnenian Dynasty ruled in the eleventh and twelfth century and included two emperors: Alexios I and Andronikos I.

Answer: Manuel II

While all four emperors were members of the Palaiologos Dynasty, Manuel II (1391-1425) was the father of Constantine XI. His wife, Helena Dragas, was Constantine's mother. After the death of her husband, Helena became a nun and is today considered a saint (Saint Hypomone) by the Eastern Orthodox Church. John VIII (1425-1448) was the full brother of Constantine.

Although married three times, John did not have any children, leading to Constantine succeeding him. Andronikos II (1282-1328) was the second emperor of the Palaiologos dynasty. Michael IX was the eldest son of Andronikos and reigned as co-emperor (c. 1294-1320).

Answer: Peloponnese

Constantine's headquarters was in the town of Mistra which was close to the location of the ancient city of Sparta. Earlier Constantine had aided his brother John in re-consolidated Byzantine control over this area.

Answer: Ottoman Emperor Murad II

It seems ironic that an Ottoman emperor arbitrated in this dispute between the two brothers when in a few years Ottoman forces would be attacking Constantinople. In addition, a few years previously, the Byzantines under Constantine and Ottomans under Murad had fought over control of the Morea. Murad decided in Constantine's favor.

Answer: Mara Brankovic

Both of Constantine's brief marriages occurred before he became emperor. His first marriage (1428-1429) to Theodora, niece of Carlo I Tocco of Epirus ended when she died giving birth to a stillborn daughter. His second marriage (1441-1442) to Caterina, daughter of Dorino of Lesbos, ended when she died following a miscarriage.

His overture of marriage to Mara in 1449 (after he was crowned) was rejected. Mara was the widow of Ottoman Sultan Murad II. Constantine and his officials were working towards another marriage proposal when the events of 1453 occurred.

Answer: Mistra

While most of the Byzantine emperors had been crowned in the capital city of Constantinople, there had been exceptions. Most of the emperors who had been crowned in other cities had a second ceremony in Constantinople. Constantine avoided this because of religious and political discord in the capital. If he had been crowned by the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church he would be seen as favoring one side over the other.

Answer: Mehmed II

Mehmed II (1444-1446, 1451-1481) was only 21 when his armies captured Constantinople. His father was Sultan Murad II (1421-1444, 1446-1451). Bayezid I (1389-1402) was the grandfather of Murad II. Suleiman I was the great-grandson of Mehmed II. Mehmed's father had initially abdicated in favor of his son when Mehmed was only twelve, but after a time of trouble resumed the throne until his death. Mehmed is known as "the Conqueror" for adding several areas to the Ottoman Empire including the Morea, Serbia, Albania, and Bosnia.

Answer: The Byzantine forces were greatly outnumbered by the Ottoman forces

By 1453, the total population of Constantinople was only about 50,000. During the reign of Justinian I, the city had about 500,000 residents and even as late as the thirteenth century still had about 400,000 residents. There were about 7-10,000 soldiers to defend the walls and about 26 ships. By comparison, the Ottomans had about 50-80,000 soldiers and over 100 ships.

In addition, the Ottomans also had 70 cannons. In a siege such as this, the attacking force generally needs superior numbers to be successful.

Answer: The walls provided little protection

The Black Death (Bubonic Plague) of the 1340s had killed thousands in the underpopulated city of Constantinople. While the Byzantines had been able to stockpile food, the weakened economy made it difficult for the city to hire enough soldiers to adequately defend it. Constantine XI was often called upon to settle disputes between the regular army and various mercenary forces.

The walls of Constantinople had been repaired in recent decades and held up better than might have been expected. The primitive artillery used by the Ottoman forces was not particularly accurate and for several weeks, the Byzantine forces were able to repair much of the damage that the artillery did inflict.

Answer: He died in battle

We don't know completely for sure what happened to Constantine, but most historians believe that he was killed during the fighting when the Ottoman forces breached the walls on May 29, 1453. He is described as stripping the imperial symbols and regalia from his clothing and leading his troops in a final desperate battle. That lack of imperial marking made it difficult to identify his body after the battle, but very few were able to escape Constantinople. Constantine is also described as the "Marble Emperor" in Greek folklore. According to the story, an angel descended during the fall of Constantinople to turn Constantine into marble and hide him away to be reawakened in a period of future need.