Constantine XI Dragas Palaeologus (1404-1453) The Last Emperor of Byzantium

Preface;Abbreviations;1 Introduction: Res Dubiae;1 A romantic vision;2 The scholars;3 A playwright;2 Ex oriente lux: Imperial impotence;1 The emperor's father and mother;2 The beggar emperor;3 The last imperial princes;3 Fortuna imperatrix mundi: The young Turks;1 Hope and survival;2 The green years;3 Education for a prince;4 The training fields;5 The changing of the guard;6 Return to reality;4 Nil sub sole novi: The Turkish offensive;1 Porte and court;2 The era of gunpowder;3 The troublemaker;5 Morea redivivus?: The prince's offensive;;1 The boiling pot;2 The prince's bride;3 Victory at Patras;4 Assertion of authority;5 The new map;6 Ecce homines: Emperor and regent;1 Southern intrigues;2 Northern intrigues;3 The emperor's regent;4 A guest from the east;5 Second thoughts;7 Dux bellorum: Delusions of grandeur;1 Disgrace and inactivity;2 A state of siege;3 The warlord;4 The impregnable isle;5 Panic and horror;8 Animi cadunt: The end of an era;1 A scholar from the west;2 The revenge of the priests;3 The emperor makers;4 Emperor without crown;9 Dies irae: The crown of martyrdom;1 The emperor's diplomatic activities;2 Imperial finances;3 A bride for the emperor;4 The fortress of doom;10 De mortuis nihil nisi bonum: Judgments;1 The emperor and the cardinal;2 The emperor and his allies;3 Heavenly wrath;4 Verdicts: The emperor under siege;11 Rex quondam rexque futurus: May 29, 1453;1 History and pseudo-history;2 Emperor and legend;3 The emperor's grave;4 Resurrection and triumph;Bibliography;Index