The Only Known Portrait of Constantine XI Palaiologos Discovered in Greece!

A significant piece of Byzantine history has recently come to light in Greece. The only known contemporary portrait of Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire, has been uncovered during restoration work on frescoes in the Old Monastery of the Archangels in Aigialeia, Western Greece.

This mid-15th-century fresco offers an extraordinary insight into the appearance of Constantine XI, who reigned from 1449 until his tragic death during the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

A Hidden Treasure Beneath Layers of Time

The portrait, revealed beneath another layer of frescoes, depicts Constantine XI adorned in full imperial regalia. His attire includes a sakkos (a traditional Byzantine robe) overlaid with a sumptuous loros and a diadem crown. His gold-embroidered purple mantle, embellished with the double-headed eagle—a hallmark of the Palaiologos dynasty—clearly signifies his royal status. He is also shown holding a cross-topped sceptre, further affirming his identity as emperor.

This remarkable discovery was led by Dr Anastasia Koumousi, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia. Dr Koumousi highlighted the fresco's unique nature, stating that it was likely painted from life rather than being based on the idealised imperial portraits of the era. “The painter must have rendered the portrait features from his own perception, meaning that his model was not an official imperial portrait, but the emperor himself,” she explained.

Photo Credit: Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού

The Fresco’s Historical Context

The fresco was found in the Katholikon, or main church, of the Old Monastery of the Archangels. The monastery had been restored with the support of Constantine XI’s brothers, Demetrios and Thomas Palaiologos, after a civil war between the two siblings—a conflict resolved through Constantine’s mediation.

This portrait not only honours the emperor but also provides a poignant glimpse into the final days of the Byzantine Empire. Constantine XI’s reign was a period of profound decline, culminating in the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. His death in the city’s defence marked the end of a civilisation that had endured for over a thousand years.

This discovery is a treasure for historians and enthusiasts alike, offering a rare and deeply personal connection to the Byzantine Empire’s last emperor. The fresco not only sheds light on Constantine XI’s appearance but also evokes the spirit of an era marked by resilience in the face of inevitable change.