Constantine XI's Last Speech

This video is about the last speech of Constantine XI Palaiologos before the fall of Constantinople from the 16th century Psuedo-Sphrantzes.

Eyewitness Version:

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Music Credit:
'Despair' by Motoi Sakuraba from Golden Sun by Camelot Software Planning.
'Ambient Themes' by Jason Graves from Rise and Fall: Civilisations at War by Stainless Steel Studios and Midway Games.
'Porky Parts' by Stephen Rippy from Age of Empires II: Age of the Conquerors by Ensemble Studios.
'Showdown' by Masaharu Iwata from Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together by Quest and Square Enix.
'The Calm' by Tracy W. Bush from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos by Blizzard Entertainment.

All images used are for educational purposes, if I have used a piece of art and you would like me to credit you, please contact me and I shall do so.

[youvebeengreeked]

_”The city is fallen, and I still live.”_
*charges into one last fight*
If you’re crying too, it’s ok.
🦅

[scottishjedi]

Rome was founded by Romulus, so it fell under Romulus

Constantinople was founded by Constantine, and so it fell under Constantine

[LordWyatt]

Post watching this: Could you imagine what Constantine XI was thinking in his throne room before the final attack? The last Roman Emperor, in the last remnants of the once glorious city of the Roman Empire for millennia. That would bring anyone to tears.

[marto]

Over 2 millennials
of glory
The last emperor die with sword in hand leading his last men in the final last stand
They died like a true romans
What a heroes

[supercell]

How tragically ironic that the last Emperor of Constantinople was Constantine, son of Helena; the same as the first. May both be remembered as among the greatest of the Romans. I only pray that someday more in the west will recognize his brave sacrifice.

[frauleinhohenzollern]

"As my city falls, I will fall with it. Whosoever wishes to escape, let him save himself if he can, and whoever is ready to face death, let him follow me." -Constantine XI Palailogos Last Roman Emperor.

[christospanagopoulos]

A true Greek hero. In my father's village in mountainous central arcadia peloponnese many children were baptized palaeologos first name. Not recently but many old people still living and bear this name in honor of Konstantinos. Just mentioning a fact...

[kultigin]

I am actually a Turk. Maybe you guys hate me. But i don't hate you at all. And i must say that this man is a symbol of dedication. He was a true emperor who was born into a wrong age. He fought bravely untill the last moment on the walls of the city. But sometimes my compatriots disrespect him in comment sections of related videos on youtube. I apologize on behalf of them.

[giannisgiannopoulos]

The Greek/Roman world has ended in the most tragic way The emperor has fallen.The city of cities has fallen. No words left to say... Thx for the video.

[costantinemf]

As a greek, i will say that he was propably one of the best emperors in the entire world, instead of fleeing the city he said: "as my city falls, i will fall with it" he puted out all the clothes that showed that he was a king, and with a sword and shield...he rushed with his last men to the battle.... You are not dead my emperor, you live in my heart....

[Khusrow.travels]

As a Persian, even the fall of our own capital (Ctesiphon) to arabic barbarians wasn't as painful for me as the fall of Constantinople. Romans were our worthy and noble advertisers. They deserved better..

[luizmenezes]

The West Roman Empire died with a whimper. The Eastern one died with a bang.

[Sprock]

This event is tragic. Saddens me that so few came to help the city. But it's near impossible to imagine the bravery of those that did defend her.

[Nikechagias]

The descendants of the greeks and the romans.Long live the Empire!

[malicant]

Should I have children, my first son will be called Constantine.

[ioannisii.komnenos]

Everybody gangsta until Constantine XI leaves his marble form

[emilioduarte]

Such a tragic fate for such a heroic Man . Some one else finds ironic that venitians of are standing side by side with byzantium last troops ? After ALL they where among The responsible for The tragedy on 1204

[Anonymous]

As a Serb I have to salute my Greek brothers on this. I look back on history and see despite being victim to violence, theft and trespass from my Slavic Pagan ancestors the Byzantines responded with benevolence and charity as is the Christian way. Like an adult teaching an unruly child they gave us writing (comparing Cyrillic to the Greek alphabet you can see the similarities), they gave us civilized culture, they gave us the Orthodox Christian faith (and by peaceful and voluntary means, nothing like the forced slaughter the Germans and Franks imposed on Eastern European Pagans) and they lifted us to not live like animals but with human decency and respect. We tell ourselves a story from the past that reminds us how the tables have turned in modern times. Frederick Barbarossa in the Third Crusade passed through Serbia on his way to the Holy lands. The Serbs were astonished at how primitive and barbaric these people were. While the Germans ate with their bare hands like savages the Serbs ate with forks and knives. The only reason why the Serbs seemed to have more civility and culture was because the Byzantine Greeks made us so.

If the Eastern Roman Empire was to fall, this was the only proper way for it to end. With God's light in it's eyes and His fury in it's voice. The Eastern Roman Empire may be gone but it's descendants still live today. Maybe one day we will bring back another golden age. But only together. :)

[Romellenios_Lanz_Daemos]

I pray that one day, Konstantinos XI is canonized as a saint.

[improbvspver]

Every time I look at a picture of mehmed the conquerer I get an anger induced stroke