1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Boom—rumble—

Several loud cannon blasts shook the entire city and the crowd looked towards their source.

To the north, on Golden Horn Bay, a large fleet was sailing against the wind, firing cannons and spewing fire and lead.

Double-headed eagle flags and Palaiologos family banners fluttered on the fleet, announcing the return of the city's master.

Boom—boom—

Another volley of cannon fire erupted, even more intense and deafening than before.

Before the people could marvel at the grandeur of the fleet, their gaze was drawn to the city gates.

Outside, wisps of smoke emerged from several cannons.

Those with sharp eyes cried out.

"They're entering the city!"

They were entering the city.

A line of heavy infantry marched towards the city gates.

Clad in grey robes and iron armour, they carried long spears and curved swords at their waists, and wore iron helmets. They advanced slowly towards the city gates.

Their armour had clearly been specially treated; the exposed parts reflected a dazzling light.

The robes bore the emblem of the legion: a crowned lion.

The leader rode a warhorse whose blanket also bore the crowned lion emblem.

The leader's face was expressionless as he stared straight ahead.

"That's Count Mikhail and the First Legion of the Imperial Guard! My brother serves there!"

Many knowledgeable people in the crowd recognised this army.

"These are His Highness Isaac's most elite troops, who have fought in countless battles!"

The First Legion of the Imperial Guard filed in, stretching from the Golden Gate to the central street. They slowly divided into two columns and walked towards the crowd.

The crowd retreated in fear until there was enough space for eight horses to ride side by side.

The Imperial Guard soldiers stood still, their spears planted firmly in the ground.

Boom!

The cannons roared again, accompanied by the dull sound of hooves.

Thud!

The noisy crowd fell silent, all looking up and craning their necks to see the city gates.

The knights were approaching, closer and closer.

Dozens of armoured knights carrying banners crossed the city gate.

They carried the banners of the Palaiologos family, with golden red crosses fluttering conspicuously in the wind.

The people knew that the purple-robed nobles were coming.

Clop, clop.

The hooves of the horses struck the stone pavement slowly and steadily.

On 26 November 1448, Constantine Palaiologos, aged 44, emerged from the darkness of the tower and greeted the morning sun of Constantinople.

Dressed in purple robes and wearing the crown of a despotic prince, he rode a white horse, his head held high and a smile on his handsome face.

"Victory!"

The imperial guards shouted, striking the ground heavily with their spears.

"Victory!"

The crowd began to cheer too.

Constantine looked around and waved to the crowd.

Isaac followed closely behind his father, half a horse's length behind.

Like his father, he was dressed in purple robes, looking noble and dignified.

He held the captured Mamluk flag and waved it at the crowd before throwing it down at the foot of the tower.

Red-clad cavalrymen rode through the city gates one after another, tossing their banners before the tower.

The Ottoman naval flag, the banner of Fezzan, the banner of the Hafs and the tribal symbols of various African tribes were all cast down before the city gates.

People opened their mouths in astonishment.

They understood. This was the Golden Gate!

During the golden days of the Eastern Roman Empire, it was common knowledge that at the western end of the city, near the Sea of Marmara, there was a gate adorned with gold plates, marble and bronze statues that shone brightly in the sunlight.

This was the Golden Gate.

It was a huge, magnificent arch with two magnificent marble towers on either side.

During this period, victorious emperors would pass through it in a grand procession carrying symbols of victory.

Tattered banners of defeated enemies, foreign kings in chains, sacred relics, barbarian slaves in strange costumes and carts piled high with spoils of war followed them.

Following the catastrophe of 1204, the gold and decorations on the Golden Gate disappeared, and there were no more victories worthy of mention by the emperors.

The place had been abandoned for so long that almost everyone had forgotten its significance and the glory of their ancestors.

But today—

More and more red-robed knights ride through the city gates on horseback, followed by Muslim prisoners with their heads bowed, carrying gold and silver trinkets.

They were kicked to the ground, their hands and feet bound with shackles. They knelt on the ground, moaning in pain.

Gold and silver were thrown into the crowd, who cheered and shouted the name of Constantine.

The red-robed knights kept coming, seemingly without end.

Behind them, black people were locked in cages on carts and exposed to the crowd. They huddled together in fear.

Horses pulled carts loaded with gold and silver, shining brightly in the sunlight, behind them.

Constantine walked slowly forward and the crowd pushed and shoved to follow him.

They passed the Brechene Palace, where the guards outside bowed to the purple-robed nobles.

They passed the Church of St. Corbin, whose bells rang out to welcome Constantine's return.

They passed the churches of St. Theodora and the Holy Apostles, as well as the high Valens Aqueduct.

They walked along the central avenue and on to Theodosius Square and Constantine Square, where the flag of Saint Mark in the northern immigrant district was fading into obscurity.

They saw the hippodrome, the Great Palace, the statue of Justinian and the majestic Hagia Sophia Cathedral.

As the church bells rang out, Patriarch Gregory III of Constantinople emerged from the cathedral, accompanied by Cardinal Isidore and other high-ranking clergy, to greet Constantine.

The Patriarch smiled and extended his hand to Constantine.

He led Constantine slowly into the church, where Empress Helena and his supporters were waiting.

Isaac followed them in and took his place.

Constantine followed the Patriarch through the welcoming crowd to the second gate, where he lit a special candle.

The Patriarch continued to accompany Constantine to the porphyry slab in front of the altar screen. There, Constantine prayed facing the icon of Christ before entering the altar.

The choir began to sing hymns and incense was lit in the church.

The singing was melodious and the fragrance lingered, making it feel as if they had entered heaven.

Constantine sat on the throne and the Patriarch blessed the crown.

Afterwards, Gregory III held the crown, which symbolized the supreme authority of the Eastern Roman Empire, in both hands and placed it firmly on Constantine's head.

The Patriarch stepped aside to make room for Constantine.

"Long live!"

The ministers knelt down and cheered, "Long live!"

Constantine walked out of the church, giving the citizens who had followed him a view of his crown.

He drew his sword, pointed it towards the distance and accepted his new responsibilities.

"Long live!"

The imperial guards and the Slave Legion shouted loudly.

"Long live!"

The citizens who supported Constantine shouted back.

"Long live!"

Gradually, the cheers grew louder and louder, echoing throughout the city and into the sky, drowning out all other sounds.

On 26 November 1448, Constantine Dragases Palaiologos was crowned emperor in the presence of the entire city in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople.

He became Constantine XI.

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