CONSTANTINE, Dracoss, the son of Emmanuel Paleologus, was placed on the throne by Sultan Amurath in 1448. But Mahomet II. his successor, resolving to dethrone him, laid siege to Constantinople by sea and land, and took it by assault in 1453, after it had held out 58 days. The unfortunate emperor seeing the Turks enter the breaches, threw himself into the midst of the enemy, and was cut to pieces; the children of the imperial house were massacred by the soldiers; and the women reserved to gratify the lust of the conqueror; and thus terminated the dynasty of the Constantines, 1123 years after its establishment at Constantinople.