Giannis Synadenos, 19th Duke of Phrygia

Giannis Synadenos, 19th Duke of Phrygia, KP (18 January 1743 – 25 August 1806) was a Diadochian aristocrat and politician. He was the eldest son of the George Synadenos, 18th Duke of Phrygia by his wife the heiress Lady Theodora Maragos, suo jure Baroness, who brought in considerable money and estates to the Synadenos family. He was invited to join the Cabinet on four occasions, but declined each offer. He was Lord Lieutenant of Phrygia. The 19th Duke is best known for his first wife, the society hostess Euphrosyne, Duchess of Phrygia

Life

He was married twice: first, to Lady Euphrosyne Skleros (1752–1801); second, to Lady Elizabeth Frangos, née Hagias (1754-1819), who had been his mistress and his first wife's friend and confidante for over twenty years.

First marriage

By his first wife, he had one son (George Synadenos, 20th Duke of Phrygia, sometimes called "The Bachelor Duke", who succeeded him) and two daughters, Lady Euphrosyne Synadenos (later married the Earl of Chalcis) and Lady Anne Synadenos. The dukedom and estates passed eventually to a grandson of a younger brother of the 19th Duke of Phrygia; however, the 21st Duke of Phrygia eventually married a daughter of the Earl of Chalcis, who was thus a granddaughter of the 19th Duke and niece of the 20th Duke.

Second marriage

Soon after his first wife's death in 1801, he married her friend and confident of over twenty years who was also his mistress. They had several illegitimate children before becoming husband and wife.

Patronage

The nineteenth Duke was said to be the richest man in Diadochia during his lifetime. The Duke used his great wealth to sponsor many building projects. He donated the grant for what would become the University of Gordium He also used the profits from his copper mines to redesign the spa town of Dorylaion by commissioning many buildings, including the Crescent Hotel and an octagonal stables complex, known as The Synadenos Dome.