Skleros family
The Skeleros Family (Greek: Σκληρός; plural: Σκληροί, Skleroi) is a noble family of Diadochia that rose to prominence in the 9th-12th centuries. The current head of the family is George Skleros head of the senior branch, who holds the hereditary title Duke of Thessalonica. Cadet branches of the family hold the titles of Earl of Skleros
Contents
History
The Skleros family is descended in the male line from John Skleros a noblemen of the 8th century who lived in Thessalonica. Leo Skleros an ancestor of John Skleros was made the 1st Duke of Thessalonica in 903 A.D. by Emperor Nicholas I of Diadochia. John Skleros was later appointed Megas Magistros. John Skleros' sons Niketas Skleros, 2nd Duke of Thessalonica and Stylianos Skleros served respectivly as Grand Admiral of the Imperial Fleet and Governor of Messenia. The third Duke Theodore Skleros headed an embassy to Europe.
Family Seats
The Family seat of the Dukes of Thessalonica and the senior branch of the Skleros family is Chrysómílo Palace located on the outskerts Thessalonica. The family seat of the junior branch of the family, the Earls of Skleros is Makrinós House.
Heads of the Family
Earls of Thessalonica
- John Skleros: 1st Earl of Thessalonica
- Theodore Skleros: 2nd Earl of Thessalonica
Dukes of Thessalonica
- John Skleros: 1st Duke of Thessalonica in 903
- Niketas Skleros: 2nd Duke of Thessalonica
- Theodore Skleros: 3rd Duke of Thessalonica
- Leo Skleros: 4th Duke , qurreled with Emperor Basil I
- Eric Skleros: 5th Duke,
- Alexander Skleros: 6th Duke
- John Skleros: 7th Duke
- Stylianos Skleros: 8th Duke
- Eric Skleros: 9th Duke
- Cassander Skleros: 10th Duke, Rebelled against Emperor Nicholas II, married the neice of Emperor Basil III in 1008
- Basil Skleros: 11th Duke,
- Romanos Skleros: 12th Duke, partially blinded under Emperor Cassander X but was restored to his titles by his predecssor Empress Zoe I, active in the military
- Constantine Skleros: 13th Duke, Held the title of Proedros of the Privy Council, created Domestikos of the Scholae by Emperor Nicholas III in 1147
- Eric Skleros: 14th Duke, Served as Megas Droungarios of the Viglas
- George Skleros: 15th Duke
- Theodore Skleros, 16th Duke
- Adam Skleros: 17th Duke, supporter of Irene II and Demetrius VI during the Family Wars (1584-1589)
- Nicholas Skleros: 18th Duke, Kanikleios, Megas Kouropalatēs
- Eric Skleros, 19th Duke, Ambassador, Megas Parakoimomenos, Kanikleios
- Theodore Skleros, 20 Duke, Book collector
- Alexander Skleros: 21st Duke
- Stylianos Skleros 22nd Duke, Proedros of the Privy Council, Conservative politician, Megas Kouropalatēs
- Romanos: 19th Duke,
- Cassander Skleros: 23rd Duke, Conservative politician, Megas Praipositos
- Eric Skleros: 24th Duke,
- George Skleros: 25th Duke, worth 1.9 billion, holds large landholdings all over Diadochia.
Earl of Skleros
- Adam Skleros: 1st Earl of Skleros: Prásinoi Politician
- Eric Skleros: 2nd Earl, Prásinoi Politician, Home Secretary, Book Collector, Kanikleios
- George Skleros: 3rd Earl Prásinoi Leader of the House of Koiná, Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Adam Skleros: 4th Earl, Megas Parakoimomenos, Megas Kouropalatēs
- Basil Skleros: 5th Earl, Proedros of the Privy Council
- Cassander Skleros: 6th Earl, Megas Parakoimomenos
- Romanos Skleros: 7th Earl
- Basil Skleros: 8th Earl
- Cassander Skleros: 9th Earl
Other Family Members
- Eric Skleros: Son of 25th Duke, heir to the Dukedom, socialite, playboy
- Adam Skleros: son of 25th Duke, playboy, socialite
