Constantine XI Palaiologos was the last ruler of which empire?
Constantine XI Palaiologos Constantine XI Palaiologos Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos, Latinized as Palaeologus (, "Kōnstantinos XI Dragasēs Palaiologos"; 8 February 1405 – 29 May 1453) was the last reigning Roman and Byzantine Emperor, ruling as a member of the Palaiologos dynasty from 1449 to his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Previously serving as regent for his brother John VIII 1437–1439, Constantine succeeded his brother, who died in Constantinople of natural causes in 1448, as Emperor following a short dispute with his younger brother Demetrios. Despite the mounting difficulties of his reign, contemporary sources generally speak respectfully of Constantine.
Constantine XI Palaiologos Constantine was particularly common among emperors, showing their connection to the founder of Constantinople and the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. Whilst modern historiography generally recognizes eleven emperors by the name Constantine, numbering Constantine Palaiologos as "Constantine XI", older works have occasionally numbered him differently, with Gibbon numbering him "Constantine XII", after counting Constantine Laskaris (1204–05) as well. Particular confusion in the correct number of Constantines arises in that there are two different Roman Emperors numbered as "Constantine III", the Western Constantine III of the early fifth century and Constantine III of the seventh century. Additionally, the emperor