1444, Byzantium Resurrects

"Father, it's been a long time!"

"It's been a long time, Isaac."

In Mistras Castle, Isaac was finally reunited with his long-lost father, Constantine Palaiologos.

Although Constantine's expression remained stern and resolute, Isaac could discern a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

In just one year, he had lost two older brothers, and the sudden burden of the empire had fallen immediately on Constantine's shoulders, making him feel uneasy.

Constantine did not say much. He ordered his attendants to arrange for the army to settle in, then took Isaac to his study and closed the door.

"Tell me honestly, what are you doing with so many troops?"

Constantine asked, somewhat sternly.

"This is to ensure your safety on your journey to Constantinople."

Isaac replied bluntly.

Constantine's historical ascension to the throne was fraught with difficulties.

Following John VIII's death, Constantinople descended into chaos. Constantine's younger brother, Demetrius Palaiologos, arrived first and gained the support of many ignorant people by opposing religious unification.

Meanwhile, Constantine, who was far away in Morea, did not even have a ship with which to travel to Constantinople, and so he was forced to request passage on a Latin merchant ship to the capital.

In order to avoid provoking the volatile religious atmosphere in Constantinople, Constantine — who did not oppose church unity — was crowned emperor in Mystras instead. After gaining the support of Ottoman Sultan Murad II, Constantine returned to the capital in silence.

He was the only Roman emperor to be crowned in Mystras.

Not being crowned in the capital meant that his legitimacy was questioned from the outset.

This time, Isaac was determined to take Constantine to Constantinople and have him crowned in the cathedral by the patriarch.

"The political situation in Constantinople is unstable. Demetrius has rebelled and the common people are ignorant. You need a strong army to silence them."

Constantine fell silent for a moment.

He knew that Isaac was right.

"I have a few suggestions. Will you listen?"

"Go ahead."

"First, meet with Uncle Thomas in Achaea and try to gain his support."

"If he has other ideas, then capture Achaea."

Constantine glared fiercely at Isaac.

"Thomas will support me."

"Secondly, go to Osman and find Murad II and Khalil Grand Vizier to obtain their consent."

"You have always been in contact with Khalil Grand Vizier, so you can make good use of that."

"I have already gone."

Constantine nodded.

"Thirdly, I have brought a fleet and many transport ships. We will gather our troops and head straight for Constantinople."

...

Outside the city of Patras, 300 soldiers lined up facing south.

At the front was a man riding a tall horse. He wore a light purple robe over iron armor and carried a sword at his waist.

He had the typical features of an Eastern Roman nobleman: piercing black eyes and thick eyebrows spanning his forehead.

This was Thomas Palaiologos, the son of Manuel II and the brother of John VIII, the ruler of Achaea.

Holding the reins of his restless warhorse, he fixed his gaze on the road to the south.

"They're coming."

They were coming.

The earth began to shake and the sound of hooves grew louder. Through the dust, a cavalry unit dressed in blood-red robes appeared.

They were equipped with an assortment of sophisticated weaponry, including Arab-style half-face helmets, Italian-style pointed helmets and Balkan-style hooded helmets.

Their weapons were even more diverse and included short spears, sabers, maces and flails.

They seemed to have no discipline and their formation resembled that of a group of wild, unruly youths.

However, when they charged towards Thomas's army, the bloodlust emanating from them was palpable.

Their eyes were light and fierce, showing contempt for life.

Their slightly raised corners of their mouths seemed to mock the ignorance of the world.

These bloodthirsty beasts surrounded a young man dressed in purple robes, much like stars surrounding the moon. The young man smiled, but his eyes were sharp.

With a wave of his right hand, the cavalry suddenly stopped, standing steadily in front of Thomas and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Only then did Thomas notice the insignia on the cavalry's uniforms:

an eagle clutching a bloodstained blade.

"Greetings, honored ruler of Achaea, dear Uncle Thomas."

Isaac jumped off his horse, casually tossing the reins aside as he did so; a nearby soldier caught them.

"Isaac, you've grown up."

Thomas hesitated, but could only manage to say a few words.

"Uncle Thomas, Demetrius has raised an army in Constantinople and wants to seize the throne that rightfully belongs to Grand Duke Constantine of Morea. What do you think?"

Isaac asked bluntly.

In fact, the Eastern Roman Empire had never established a system of primogeniture, let alone hereditary succession.

John VIII had not appointed Constantine as co-emperor, nor had he designated an heir before his death.

Of his brothers, Constantine had only a slight age advantage.

"You came here just for this?"

"Yes."

"If I wanted to fight for the throne too, what would you do?"

Thomas smiled.

Isaac did not smile.

"Then we would have to fight with swords."

Swish, swish—

The Slave Legion behind him drew their weapons.

To be honest, Isaac did not want to see this happen.

Thomas was not Demetrius. He had a good relationship with Constantine, and he was an ally who could be won over — a relative who could be trusted.

Thomas looked at the elite warriors behind Isaac and sighed.

It was impossible to say that he had no ambition.

But, given the current situation, it was clear that his nephew was not joking. If he insisted on fighting for the throne of Constantinople, Isaac would probably go to war.

He would most likely be completely defeated, escape with his life by the skin of his teeth, and spend the rest of his days in a monastery.

Enough, enough!

"The throne belongs to Constantine, and it will be yours in the future."

"Demitrios rebelled against the country and acted against the will of the people, so he must be punished."

"I will be your eternal and most loyal vassal."

Thomas bowed slowly.

...

On 20 November 1448, Constantine gathered Isaac and Thomas and took the 3,000 troops assembled by the three factions. They set sail for Constantinople.

On 24 November, the fleet arrived at Messenia.

In the drizzling rain, Isaac jumped off the deck and set foot on the land he had been away from for so long.

Messenia was located west of Constantinople and was the only remaining territory of the Eastern Roman Empire in the area.

The residents of Messenia were indifferent to the arrival of the fleet. In fact, having lived under the watchful eye of the Ottomans for many years, these residents had completely lost their loyalty to the imperial court. Theophilus Palaiologos was waiting at the pier with a group of nobles.

"Prince Constantine, Prince Thomas, Prince Isaac, welcome back."

Theophilus was a member of a branch of the Palaiologos family and was well versed in Greek literature and geometry.

"It's good to see you, dear Theophilus!"

Constantine was clearly on very good terms with him, smiling as he patted Theophilus on the shoulder.

The three exchanged pleasantries for a moment, then the army camped outside the city.

"Theophilus, what is the situation in Constantinople?"

Constantine got down to business.

Theophilus's expression immediately turned serious.

"That restless little Demitrios has failed. Your wise mother, Empress Helena, has a firm grip on the regency and has not given in to Demitrios's antics."

"The boy has now been confined by the empress, but his followers are still active outside."

"This bad boy has caused quite a lot of trouble. The religious faction that had calmed down has been stirred up by him and has started rioting again."

Theophilus looked at Constantine.

"They even want to abolish your right to succession because you once issued a statement in support of Emperor John's decision at the Council of Florence."

Constantine rubbed his chin.

"What about the nobles and clergy? Are they involved?"

"Some of the nobles are strongly opposed to church union, as you know."

"Many clergy members also want to take advantage of Emperor John's death to renegotiate the agreement with the Roman Church."

"What do the prime minister and the patriarch say?"

"It's common knowledge that the prime minister, Grand Duke Lucas, has always hated the Latins."

"He has repeatedly declared that he would rather see the Turks' turbans in Constantinople than the triple crown of the Latin Pope."

Isaac sneered.

"However, Grand Duke Lucas refused to join forces with Demetrius and expelled him from his home."

Lucas Notaras, a hot-headed old man, was the last prime minister of the Eastern Roman Empire and a naval admiral. He opposed church union, yet remained loyal until the end.

Isaac recalled that, after Constantinople fell, Lucas had refused Mehmed II's offer and been executed alongside his entire family.

"Patriarch Gregory III is a pragmatic man. He understands the current situation and will not cause you any trouble."

"However, there are still some clergymen participating in opposition activities under the leadership of George Skolarikos."

George Skolarikos was the notorious traitor who became the first Orthodox Patriarch under Mehmed II.

Isaac listened and understood.

The overall situation was not optimistic.

It was no wonder that Constantine had not crowned himself in Constantinople; he was afraid of causing a popular uprising.

"Uncle Theophilus is in charge of the defense of Constantinople now, isn't he?"

"It is I."

Theophilus stood up and bowed.

"Empress Helena has instructed me to guard the Theodosian and Sea Walls temporarily to welcome your arrival."

He pulled out the empress's orders and handed them to Constantine.

"When shall we enter the city?"

Thomas couldn't help but ask.

"The Empress originally intended for His Highness Constantine to be crowned in Mystras, and then to enter the Grand Palace directly upon arrival in Constantinople, in order to avoid stirring up civil unrest."

"Now that you have arrived, you might as well enter through the Eugene Gate and not disturb the city's residents."

The Eugene Gate was located on the eastern end of the Golden Horn, close to the Great Palace and Hagia Sophia, and did not pass through the central avenue.

The Empress must have wanted to make it a fait accompli that Constantine had become emperor, allowing time for the people to accept it.

"All right, I..."

Constantine was about to agree when Isaac interrupted him.

"No!"

"Throughout history, emperors have always entered the city through the gates at the foot of the Theodosius Wall — the St Romanus Gate or the Golden Gate. I have never heard of any Eugenius Gate."

"That is a small path used by merchants and slaves, not a proper road for an emperor to enter the city!"

Isaac stood up, his face turning red with anger.

Theophilus was startled by Isaac's sudden outburst.

"Your Highness, you can't say that..."

Isaac ignored his hesitation.

"Father, you are the emperor of Rome and the Romans, a nobleman in purple robes. How can you enter the city through a small gate like a stray dog?"

"Isaac..."

Constantine looked at his son's determined gaze and hesitated.

...

"Have you heard? His Highness Constantine is entering the city. Apparently, he has obtained permission from the Turks."

"He is the eldest surviving son of Manuel II and should be the heir to the throne."

"Hmph!"

"A man who consorts with heretics is not my emperor!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

...

On 26 November 1448, the entire population gathered at the city gates and on the main street. They stood on tiptoe, looking up at the gates.

Constantine Palaiologos, Manuel II's son, John VIII's brother and the despotic ruler of Morea, was entering the city.

"Don't push! Make way for the procession!"

The commander of the city guard, Theophilus, shouted at his guards, ordering them to maintain basic order.

The crowd was noisy and chaotic, with cheers and curses ringing out.

"How many years has it been since the Golden Gate saw such a grand event?"

Prime Minister Lucas looked out at the noisy crowd in the distance from a tall building.

"No matter how many years have passed, the citizens still love excitement."

Lucas smiled, his eyes full of memories.

"Uncle, I thought you didn't like Prince Constantine."

His nephew Avilon poured wine into Lucas's cup.

"In fact, of all Emperor Manuel's children, he is my favorite."

"Passionate, determined, combative, indomitable — that is Constantine."

"The empire needs an emperor like him; only an emperor like him can save the land beneath your feet."

"Then you..."

Avilon was puzzled.

"Child, let's stick to the matter at hand. National affairs come first."

"I don't like the Roman Catholic Church, but I love my homeland, and I love Constantinople."

Lucas said no more and watched the entrance ceremony intently.

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