The Amytzantarioi were probably an aristocratic “family” of Trebizond or a social group of possibly common descent. They activated in the 14th century and were closely connected with the civil conflicts that broke out in the Empire of Trebizond in that period.

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The Byzantine aristocratic family of Argyros emerged in the mid-9th century. It had strong ties with the themes of Charsianon and Anatolikon. The family reached its heyday during the reign of Romanos III Argyros. After the late 11th century, Argyros lineage gradually becomes less and less influential.

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Aristocratic family from Asia Minor that appeared in the 9th century. The most distinguished members of the family held key military positions in the 11th century, while the most famous member of the family was Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1078-1081). The family managed to maintain a high position in the Byzantine society in the 12th century by establishing matrimonial alliances with the Doukas and the Komnenos families.

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The Bourtzes lineage from Asia Minor, which was of Armenian or Arab origin, emerged in the 10th century, when members of the family appear as high-ranking military officials. Marital alliance with the Melissenos lineage was also important to the ascent of the Bourtzes family. The lineage gradually declines towards the late 11th century, and by the 13th century they had lost their power and significance.

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A family of the military aristocracy, emerging at the end of the 10th century. Its members occupied a prominent place in the byzantine military hierarchy. The second generation of the Dalassenoi was also given the chance to occupy the throne. Information regarding the family is available up until the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century. After 1204, the family loses its place in the upper layers of the byzantine society.

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Aristocratic family from the Pontos. The activity of the family of Doranites had been closely connected to the internal strife in the Empire of Trebizond, which broke out during the reign of Irene Palaiologina (1340-1341) and continued to torment and divide the Empire until the first years of the reign of Alexios III Grand Komnenos (1349-1390). Their relations with the imperial throne were restored during the third quarter of the 14th century.

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The Doukai were one of the most illustrious aristocratic families of Asia Minor and hailed from Paphlagonia. From the middle of the ninth century until 1204 we can distinguish three separate groups bearing that surname; the representatives of the first and third of these groups glorified the Doukas family name. In the eleventh century two members of the Doukas family rose to the imperial throne and, after intermarrying with the Komnenoi, the Doukai became one of the most important families in...

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