Gabras
Encyclopedia
Gabras feminine form Gabraina (Γάβραινα), is the surname of an important Byzantine
aristocratic family, which became especially prominent in the late 11th and early 12th centuries as the semi-independent and quasi-hereditary rulers of Chaldia
.
The Gabrades are attested for the first time in the late 10th century, when Constantine Gabras participated in the revolt of Bardas Skleros
. The general Theodore Gabras
captured Trebizond and ruled it and the theme of Chaldia as a virtual autonomous state (ca. 1075–1098). He was succeeded by his son Gregory Gabras
(ca. 1103–1106) and his nephew Constantine Gabras
(ca. 1118–1143). Several members of the family entered service with the Seljuk Turks in the 12th and 13th centuries, and in the 14th century, several Gabrades are attested in administrative positions in Byzantium, most notably the official and scholar Michael Gabras, known for his extensive surviving correspondence, and his brother John.
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
aristocratic family, which became especially prominent in the late 11th and early 12th centuries as the semi-independent and quasi-hereditary rulers of Chaldia
Chaldia
Chaldia was a historical region located in the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor . Its name was derived from a people called the Chaldoi that inhabited the region in Antiquity. Chaldia was used throughout the Byzantine period and was established as a formal theme, known as the Theme of Chaldia , in...
.
The Gabrades are attested for the first time in the late 10th century, when Constantine Gabras participated in the revolt of Bardas Skleros
Bardas Skleros
Bardas Skleros or Sclerus was a Byzantine general who led a wide-scale Asian rebellion against Emperor Basil II in 976–979.-Background:...
. The general Theodore Gabras
Theodore Gabras
Theodore Gabras was a Byzantine governor in the Pontus who was involved in a minor unsuccessful rebellion against the Emperor Alexios I Komnenos around the year 1091.-Early life:...
captured Trebizond and ruled it and the theme of Chaldia as a virtual autonomous state (ca. 1075–1098). He was succeeded by his son Gregory Gabras
Gregory Gabras
Gregory Gabras was the son of the Byzantine governor of Trebizond, Theodore Gabras who was involved in a minor unsuccessful rebellion against the Emperor Alexios I Komnenos around the year 1091.- Life at Constantinople :...
(ca. 1103–1106) and his nephew Constantine Gabras
Constantine Gabras
Constantine Gabras was the governor or doux of the Byzantine province of Chaldia, around Trebizond on the Black Sea coast of Anatolia, in what is today north-eastern Turkey...
(ca. 1118–1143). Several members of the family entered service with the Seljuk Turks in the 12th and 13th centuries, and in the 14th century, several Gabrades are attested in administrative positions in Byzantium, most notably the official and scholar Michael Gabras, known for his extensive surviving correspondence, and his brother John.