Constantine Palaiologos (son of Michael VIII) facts for kids
Constantine Palaiologos (born 1261, died 1306) was a Byzantine prince. He belonged to the powerful Palaiologos family. Constantine was also a brave general. He fought in important wars against the Serbs and the Turks.
Who Was Constantine Palaiologos?
Constantine was the third son of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. His mother was Empress Theodora Palaiologina. He was born in 1261 in Constantinople. This city had just been taken back by the Byzantines in August of that year.
Because he was born while his father was emperor, Constantine was called a porphyrogennetos. This Greek word means "purple-born." It was a special title for princes born in the imperial palace's purple room. This showed he was a true prince by birth. His father gave him very high honors, even more than other important nobles.
Constantine's Military Career
In 1280, Constantine became a military leader. He fought against the Serbs in a region called Macedonia. After that, he was sent to Asia Minor to fight against Turkish raiders. These raiders were causing trouble in the Maeander River valley. Constantine was successful in clearing them out of the area.
Later Life and Legacy
Constantine later helped rebuild a famous place called the Monastery of Stoudios in Constantinople. In 1293, something went wrong. His brother, Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos, heard bad things about him. Because of this, Constantine was put under arrest.
Later, he decided to become a monk. He took the new name Athanasios as a monk. Constantine Palaiologos died in Constantinople on May 5, 1306. He was buried at the Lips Monastery.
Constantine was married to Irene Palaiologina Raoulaina. They had one son named John Palaiologos.
The famous Palace of the Porphyrogenitus in Constantinople is named after him. This palace is a large, old building from the late 1200s. It is located in the northern part of the old city.
