Loukas Notaras facts for kids

Loukas Notaras (born April 5, 1402 – died June 3, 1453) was a very important leader in the Byzantine Empire. He was the last megas doux, which was like being the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine navy. He was also the last mesazon, meaning he was the chief minister, or top advisor, to the emperors John VIII Palaiologos and Constantine XI Palaiologos.

A Look at His Life

Loukas Notaras came from a Greek family that started in a place called Monemvasia. His family became well-known in Constantinople (the capital city) by supporting different emperors.

Loukas's father, Nicholas Notaras, was a rich merchant. He traveled to places like Italy, France, and England as an envoy (a special messenger) for Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos. Loukas also had a brother named John, who sadly died during a battle in 1411.

In 1424, Loukas Notaras was one of three people who helped make a peace treaty between Emperor John VII Palaiologos and Sultan Murad II of the Ottoman Turks. This shows how important he was in the empire. He was also present at the wedding of the future Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos in 1441, showing his continued importance.

You might have heard a famous saying attributed to him: "I would rather see a Turkish turban in the middle of the City than the Latin mitre" (meaning a hat worn by a Catholic bishop). This quote suggests he preferred Turkish rule over help from the Catholic Church. However, historians believe he probably didn't say this. Loukas actually worked with Emperor Constantine XI to get help from Catholic countries, while also trying to keep peace among the Orthodox people in Constantinople.

Constantinople's Last Stand

During the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Loukas Notaras was in charge of defending the city's north-western Sea Wall. Some stories say he left his post, but this might have been untrue rumors spread by his political rivals. He successfully defended the Sea Wall, which was a very important part of the city's defenses. He held it against the Turks until other parts of the city's walls were broken through.

His Final Days

After Constantinople fell, Notaras, his wife, and his oldest son were captured by the Turks. At first, they were promised safety in exchange for much of Notaras's wealth, which he had wisely sent to Venice for his children. However, he was executed shortly after, along with his son and son-in-law. This might have been because the Sultan decided it was too risky to let such an important noble, who had connections to Venice and the Vatican, live.

His Family's Future

Loukas Notaras's wife, who was sick during the final attack, died as a slave on the way to Adrianople.

Two of Notaras's family members managed to escape the city on a ship. His daughter, Anna Notaras, became a central figure for the Byzantine people who had to leave their home and settled in Venice. Two other daughters, Helena and Theodora, also survived and joined their sister in exile. Helena Notaras later became a nun.

His Writings

Loukas Notaras wrote several letters in Latin. These letters have been published in a collection called Epistulae. He also appears as a character in the book Johannes Angelos by Finnish author Mika Waltari. In the novel, he is shown as a leader of Byzantine nobles who try to work with the enemy after Constantinople falls.