Brief biographical notes on the most distinguished members of the Argyros family:

Leo Argyros: The first known prominent member of the Argyros family appeared in the years of Michael III (842‑867) as a tourmarches. He participated in the battles against the Arabs and the Paulicians and founded the monastery of St Elisabeth in the theme of Charsianon.

Eustathios Argyros: Son of Leo Argyros. He held several military-administrative offices in the years of Leo VI (886‑912). He served as strategos of Anatolikon, strategos Charsianon, magistros and droungarios of the vigla. He was largely responsible for the ascent of the Argyros family and had at least three children.

Leo Argyros: Son of Eustathios Argyros. In 917 he participated in the battle of Anchialos, where the Bulgarians defeated the Byzantines. He served as strategos of Sebasteia, magistros and domestikos ton scholon succeeded by his brother Pothos.

Pothos Argyros: Son of Eustathios Argyros. He held military positions and in 921 became domestikos ton scholon.

Romanos Argyros: The third son of Eustathios Argyros. He held military positions, while along with his brother Leo he participated in the battle of Anchialos in 917.

Romanos Argyros: Son of Leo Argyros and grandson of Eustathios. He lived in the first half of the 10^th century and married Agathe, the daughter of Romanos I Lekapenos (920‑944). Through that marriage the Argyros family were indirectly allied to the Macedonian dynasty, as Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (913‑959) was married to Helen, the eldest daughter of Romanos I.

Marianos Argyros: Son of Leo Argyros and grandson of Eustathios. In 944 he participated in the conspiracy staged by the sons of Romanos I Lekapenos against their father. When Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus ascended the throne, he was rewarded with the title of comes tou stavlou and other kindred positions. In 955 he was sent to southern Italy and in 959 became domestikos ton scholon of the West. He opposed the usurper Nikephoros Phokas, the subsequent Nikephoros II (963‑969). He was among the architects of the capital’s defence, but was wounded during the conflicts and died on August 16, 963.

(anonymous) Argyropoulos: He lived in the 10^th century and was the father of Romanos III (1028‑1034), Basil Argyros and Pulcheria Argyropoulina.

Romanos III Argyros (1028‑1034): Son of the above Argyropoulos: he served as political official and in 1028, while he was prefect of Constantinople, Constantine VII appointed him his successor. Romanos married Zoe Porphrogennete and ascended the throne. He died childless on April 11, 1034.

Pulcheria Argyropoulina: Sister of Romanos III. She was married to Basil Skleros, the grandson of the usurper Bards Skleros in the years of Basil II (976‑1025). Pulcheria exercised considerable influence over the palace in the early years of the reign of Romanos III.

Basil Argyros: Brother of Romanos III. In the years of Basil II he served as strategos of Samos, katepano of Italy/Lombardy and katepano of the theme of Basprakania. Two of his sons, whose names remain unknown, participated in the rebellion of Isaac Komnenos in 1057, while John Skylitzes places them among the “ruling class” of the theme of Anatolikon.

(anonymous) Argyropoulina, daughter of Basil Argyros: According to John Skylitzes, the daughter of Basil Argyros was married to Constantine Diogenes, the father of the subsequent Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes.