Emperor Constantine's Last Walk

Peterborough Examiner ^ | July 11, 2007 | Erik Blackthrone O'Barr

[Nikas777]

This is a work of historical (but accurate) fiction about the fall of Constantinople and the last day of the last Roman emperor written by a then 9th grader. What an amazing work for someone so young. I had this on my hard drive for a while and I thought I might share it.

[eleni121]

This is magnificent.

Thank you for sharing this.

[Nikas777]

Historical fiction ping.

[eleni121]

Every time I visit Athens i go to his statue which faces the national cathedral downtown nar Syntagma square. There are always a few people who want to talk about this amazing hero.

Constantine Paleologus Dragases emboides all Christian peoples fighting against Muslim Turks. His blood included Greek, Armenian, Anatolian Greek, Serbian, Italian, Bulgarian, Austrian.

[pgkdan]

A ninth grader wrote this? Amazing. That kid has a bright future.

[Ebenezer]

Thanks so much for sharing this. May 29, 1453 is another date which will live in infamy.

[Nikas777]

Most people can’t write this well post college! (myself sadly included).

[silverleaf]

excellent!

[Ebenezer]

Faith of Our Fathers ping

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked the end not only of the last remnant of the Roman/Byzantine Empire, but also of a union between the Catholic and Orthodox churches which had been negotiated 14 years earlier during the Council of Florence. This union was a tenuous one at best and was bitterly resented by the Orthodox faithful.

[silverleaf]

bttt
if there was a book by this kid, I’d buy it

[afraidfortherepublic]

This is an amazing essay. I notice that it was written by a British student. Too bad that our US schools don’t teach history so brilliantly. Thanks for posting.

[Nikas777]

The student is from a Canadian school - though Peterborough Collegiate is modeled after the British schools so I can see why you would think that.

[elcid1970]

The author mentions the nationalities of Byzantium’s western allies, but not those of the besiegers, nor their religion.

Interesting omission, JMHO.

[Ebenezer]

(sarcasm alert)

Now, now. You wouldn’t want this young up-and-coming historian to offend Muslims and Turks, would you?

[Kolokotronis]

"Every time I visit Athens i go to his statue which faces the national cathedral downtown nar Syntagma square."

I love that statue. I spend a part of each day in Athena sitting at the Zacharoplasteo on the square looking at the figure. And you are right, tourists are always asking who he is.

"Constantine Paleologus Dragases emboides all Christian peoples fighting against Muslim Turks. His blood included Greek, Armenian, Anatolian Greek, Serbian, Italian, Bulgarian, Austrian."

He was, as we know, the Despot of Morea at Mistras prior to being the Emperor. The first prayers said for him before he left for Constantinople were said in the main church of my maternal village. I've stood exactly where he stood when those prayers were said. My people were Kesaroi at Mistras and one died on the walls of The City with him.

[Bokababe]

"The author mentions the nationalities of Byzantium’s western allies, but not those of the besiegers, nor their religion. Interesting omission, JMHO.

Interesting point, but I don't think that it was written that way to be PC.

More that it assumes the reader already knows that Constantinople fell to the Muslims in 1453 -- but generally that's all they know.

[eleni121]

Someday we will run into each other and have that coffee at the square...

His spirit is alive and well...within the hearts of many Christians.

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“My people were Kesaroi at Mistras and one died on the walls of The City with him.”

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Remarkable.

Our heroic ancestors are brave and good. I can only hope that their courage continues ...

[Kolokotronis]

“Someday we will run into each other and have that coffee at the square...”

You know the spot...best store bought kataiffe (especially with ice cream) and frappe in town and in the morning the cafe is hot, thick and sweet with plenty of kaimaki!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thanks Nikas777. I caught the Canadian part after my comment had already posted. That’s even more shameful fo rUS schools — to have schools on this continent that seem to inspire a love of history more than any of ours do. Am I wrong to assume that this is a private school?

[Nikas777]

Per

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterborough_Collegiate_and_Vocational_School

Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School (PCVS) is a public high school located at 201 McDonnel Street in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. One of the oldest public schools in the country, PCVS was founded in 1827. As of 2006, it has 960 students and 73 teachers and support staff. It is a member of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.