Phrantzes
First appears in Book 3: Death's End, chapter 2 (May 1453, C.E. The Death of the Magician)
Appearances
B1
B2
B3
What you know
Book 3: Death's End
- Ch 2Phrantzes is one of the emperor's most trusted ministers, who recruited much of the city's defenders and brought Helena to the emperor.
- Ch 2Phrantzes had a spy disguised as a friar secretly follow Helena; the spy saw her enter a ruined minaret in the Blachernae quarter.
- Ch 2Phrantzes feared Helena was either a fraud or had real magic and had gone over to Mehmed II, who gave her a new mission.
- Ch 2Phrantzes concluded his plan had failed and had the spy kill Helena, then left with his men.
Connections
- member ofConstantine XItrusted minister serving the emperor
- ally ofConstantine XI
- has memberthe spyserves Phrantzes' party
Key moments
- Book 3 · Ch 2Helena's test
Phrantzes locks a prisoner in the palace cellar; Helena leaves, the prisoner dies convulsing with no wound, and she returns with his intact brain, convincing the emperor.
- Book 3 · Ch 2Helena sent to kill Mehmed II
The emperor blesses Helena, and Phrantzes gives her portraits and a knife. She heads for the Blachernae quarter and does not return; the minaret is later found whole.
- Book 3 · Ch 2Execution of Helena
Phrantzes, suspecting Helena's loyalty, has his spy stab her in the minaret. She dies pinned to the wall on the eve of the final assault.