Duke of Heracleopolis

Duke of Heracleopolis is a title in the Peerage of Mesogeian nobility, created in 979. The holder of the title is afforded the rank of a Wuzurgan (grandee of the empire, one of the senior most ranks in Mesogeian hierarchy. The ducal family Apion has held the title since its creation, before that holding the title of Count of Heracleopolis.

The official surname of the family is Apion, it is notable for being one of the few noble families in Mesogeia to not have any trace of latin ancestry, except through marriage.

History

The Apion family is arguably one of the oldest noble families in Mesogeia, having held noble status since time immemorial. The first recorded and well documented mention of the family was in the 4th century AD; by that time they were already prominent landowners in the province of Pharosia with estates spread across the fertile region. Very little information is known of the family prior to the 4th century, however historians believe the family was prominent before that period and were loyal to the House of Ptolemaides, the ruling kings of Pharosia. By the 4th century however, the kings of Pharosia were vessels of the Emperors of Troiana. The Apions being one of the most senior nobles of Pharosia are believed to have pledged loyalty to the Troianian Emperor Heraclius I in the 1st century and were allowed to maintain their estates and vast wealth.

In 715, Marios Apion was created Count of Heracleopolis by Emperor Michael V. Three hundred years later in 1015, the title was raised to that of a dukedom by Emperor Michael X, who awarded TBA Apion, then count of Heracleopolis for his loyalty to the crown.

Estates and properties

The Dukes of Heracleopolis are major landowners in Mesogeia, as such they possess various estates and properties, besides their seat at Heracleopolis Palace, this includes.... Presently the Apion family controls some 75,000 acres of land throughout Mesogeia.

Titleholders

Duke of Heracleopolis (1015)

1. Antonios Stratigios Apion, 1st Duke of Heracleopolis (996-1073) (1015 AD)
2. Marios Apion, 2nd Duke of Heracleopolis (1048-1086); grandson of predecessor
3. Stratigios Apion, 3rd Duke of Heracleopolis (1025-1099); uncle of predecessor
4. Antonios Apion, 4th Duke of Heracleopolis (1082-1128); grandson of predecessor, conspired against Emperor Manuel II and was imprisoned in the Tower of Sykai until his death.
5. Antonios Apion, 5th Duke of Heracleopolis (1108-1136); died young
6. Seleucus Apion, 6th Duke of Heracleopolis (1066-1146); cousin of predecessor
7. George Ptolemy Apion, 7th Duke of Heracleopolis (1110-1160), son of predecessor
8. Constantine Apion, 8th Duke of Heracleopolis (1116-1174); brother of predecessor
9. Stratigios Apion, 9th Duke of Heracleopolis (1121-1190); brother of predecessor
10. Theodore Antonios Stratigios Apion, 10th Duke of Heracleopolis (1151-1207); son of predecessor
11. Demetrius Apion, 11th Duke of Heracleopolis (1177-1222); son of predecessor
12. Leo Apion, 12th Duke of Heracleopolis (1155-1232); uncle of predecessor
13. Marios Apion, 13th Duke of Heracleopolis (1187-1252; son of predecessor
14. Ptolemy Apion, 14th Duke of Heracleopolis (1213-1277), son of predecessor
15. Stratigios Apion 15th Duke of Heracleopolis (1234-1309), son of predecessor
16. Stratigios Apion, 16th Duke of Heracleopolis (1269-1334), son of predecessor
17. Constantine Apion, 17th Duke of Heracleopolis (1318-1372); grandson of predecessor
18. Antonios Stratigios Apion, 18th Duke of Heracleopolis (1305-1374); uncle of predecessor
19. Philip Stratigios Apion, 19th Duke of Heracleopolis (1324-1384); son of predecessor
20. Constantine Apion, 20th Duke of Heracleopolis (1364-1429); cousin of predecessor, son of the 18th Duke
21. Constantine Apion, 21st Duke of Heracleopolis (1402-1448); son of predecessor
22. Constantine Apion, 22nd Duke of Heracleopolis (1433-1473); son of predecessor
23. John Apion, 23rd Duke of Heracleopolis (1451-1505); son of predecessor, supporter of Zoe II during the consolidation
24. John Apion, 24th Duke of Heracleopolis (1491-1551); son of predecessor; member of the Sacred Council of Manuel V and Andronikos III
25. John Apion, 25th Duke of Heracleopolis (1508-1586); son of predecessor; accused of treason, his titles and estates were forfeit and later restored shortly before his death
26. John Apion, 26th Duke of Heracleopolis (1564-1601); grandson of predecessor
27. John Apion, 27th Duke of Heracleopolis (1581-1625); son of predecessor; died during the Mesogeian Civil War
28. Anna Gregoria, 28th Duchess of Heracleopolis (1606-1691); daughter of predecessor; she resigned her right to the dukedom in favor of her son in 1669
29. John Apion, 29th Duke of Heracleopolis (1633-1686); son of predecessor; died in a dual
30. John Apion, 30th Duke of Heracleopolis (1678-1728); son of predecessor
31. John Apion, 31st Duke of Heracleopolis (1699-1739); son of predecessor
32. John Apion, 32nd Duke of Heracleopolis (1730-1750); son of predecessor
33. Seleucus Apion, 33rd Duke of Heracleopolis (1731-1776); brother of predecessor
34. Alexius Apion, 34th Duke of Heracleopolis (1717-1797); second son of 31st Duke
35. Alexander Apion, 35th Duke of Heracleopolis (1748-1832); son of predecessor; politician and art collector
36. Bardas Apion, 36th Duke of Heracleopolis (1793-1858); son of predecessor, he married a princess of the imperial house
37. Bardas Apion, 37th Duke of Heracleopolis (1827-1887); son of predecessor,
38. Anthimos Apion, 38th Duke of Heracleopolis (1854-1934); cousin of predecessor,
39. Phokas Apion 39th Duke of Heracleopolis (1895-1969); son of predecessor, his mother was a member of the illustrious Phokas family
40. Aristides Apion, 40th Duke of Heracleopolis (1930-2008), son of predecessor
41. Alexander-Constantine Apion, 41st Duke of Heracleopolis (1970-present); current holder