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 Tou Apiones Apo Heracleopolis, however Apion is commonly used in correspondance, 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, Marius Apion was created Count of Heracleopolis by Emperor Michael VIII Anatolinos. Two hundred years later in 979, the title was raised to that of a dukedom by Emperor Romanos IV Chalkidinos, who awarded Marcus Apion, then count of Heracleopolis for his loyalty to the crown. This was in stark contrast to Romanos IV's distrust and disdain for the nobility. Presently the family is distantly related to the royal house of Pharosia.

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 (979)

1. Marius Apion, 1st Duke of Heracleopolis (939-994)
2. Marius Apion, 2nd Duke of Heracleopolis (975-1050)
3. Strategius Apion, 3rd Duke of Heracleopolis (996-1073)
4. Marius Apion, 4th Duke of Heracleopolis (1048-1086); grandson of predecessor
5. Strategeius Apion, 5th Duke of Heracleopolis (1025-1099); uncle of predecessor
6. Flavius Apion, 6th Duke of Heracleopolis (1082-1128); grandson of predecessor, conspired against Emperor Manuel II and was imprisoned in the Tower of Sykai until his death.
7. Flavius Apion, 7th Duke of Heracleopolis (1108-1136); died young
8. Seleucus Apion, 8th Duke of Heracleopolis (1066-1146); cousin of predecessor
9. Ptolemy Apion, 9th Duke of Heracleopolis (1110-1160), son of predecessor
10. Felix Apion, 10th Duke of Heracleopolis (1116-1174); brother of predecessor
11. Strategius Apion, 11th Duke of Heracleopolis (1121-1190); brother of predecessor
12. Stategeius Apion, 12th Duke of Heracleopolis (1151-1207); son of predecessor
13. Demetrius Apion, 13th Duke of Heracleopolis (1177-1222); son of predecessor
14. Strategeius Apion, 14th Duke of Heracleopolis (1155-1232); uncle of predecessor
15. Marius Apion, 15th Duke of Heracleopolis (1187-1252; son of predecessor
16. Ptolemy Apion, 16th Duke of Heracleopolis (1213-1277), son of predecessor
17. Strategeius Apion 17th Duke of Heracleopolis (1234-1309), son of predecessor
18. Strategeius Apion, 18th Duke of Heracleopolis (1269-1334), son of predecessor
19. Constantine Apion, 19th Duke of Heracleopolis (1318-1372); grandson of predecessor
20. Strategeius Apion, 20th Duke of Heracleopolis (1305-1374); uncle of predecessor
21. Strategeius Apion, 21st Duke of Heracleopolis (1324-1384); son of predecessor
22. Constantine Apion, 22nd Duke of Heracleopolis (1364-1429); cousin of predecessor, son of the 19th Duke
23. Constantine Apion, 23rd Duke of Heracleopolis (1402-1448); son of predecessor
24. Constantine Apion, 24th Duke of Heracleopolis (1433-1473); son of predecessor
25. John Apion, 25th Duke of Heracleopolis (1451-1505); son of predecessor, supporter of Zoe II during the Reconquest
26. John Apion, 26th Duke of Heracleopolis (1491-1551); son of predecessor; member of the Sacred Council of Manuel V
27. John Apion, 27th Duke of Heracleopolis (1508-1586); son of predecessor; accused of treason, his titles and estates were forfeit and later restored shortly before his death
28. John Apion, 28th Duke of Heracleopolis (1564-1601); grandson of predecessor
29. Streategius John Apion, 29th Duke of Heracleopolis (1581-1625); son of predecessor; died during the Mesogeian Civil War
30. Anna Octavia, 30th Duchess of Heracleopolis (1606-1691); daughter of predecessor; she resigned her right to the dukedom in favor of her son in 1669
31. John Apion, 31st Duke of Heracleopolis (1633-1686); son of predecessor; died in a dual
32. John Apion, 32nd Duke of Heracleopolis (1678-1728); son of predecessor
33. John Apion, Duke of Heracleopolis (1699-1739); son of predecessor
34. John Apion, 34th Duke of Heracleopolis (1730-1750); son of predecessor
35. Seleucus Apion, 35th Duke of Heracleopolis (1731-1776); brother of predecessor
36. Alexius Apion, 36th Duke of Heracleopolis (1717-1797); second son of 32nd Duke
37. Alexander Apion, 37th Duke of Heracleopolis (1748-1832); son of predecessor; politician and art collector
38. Bardas Apion, 38th Duke of Heracleopolis (1793-1858); son of predecessor, he married a princess of the imperial house
39. Bardas Apion, 39th Duke of Heracleopolis (1827-1887); son of predecessor,
40. Anthimus Apion, 40th Duke of Heracleopolis (1854-1934); cousin of predecessor,
41. Phokas Apion 41st Duke of Heracleopolis (1895-1969); son of predecessor, his mother was a member of the illustrious Phokas family
42. Aristides Apion, 42nd Duke of Heracleopolis (1930-2008), son of predecessor
43. Alexander-Louis Apion, 43rd Duke of Heracleopolis (1970-present); current holder