This article is about the historical last ruler of the Byzantine Empire. For the similarly named American soldier and minor character in Southern Victory, see Constantine Palaiologos. Constantine XI Dragasēs Palaiologos (8 February 1405 – 29 May 1453) was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor (and, as such, the last Roman Emperor). He ruled from 1449 to his death in battle during the fall of Constantinople. As his body was never definitively identified or recovered, he became a legendary figure in Greek folklore as the "Marble Emperor" who would awaken and recover the Empire and Constantinople from the Turks.