Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis
Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis is a title in the Peerage of Mesogeian nobility. The present title was originally granted to the Parsakoutenos family in 1153 by Emperor Manuel II. The title later passed to the eldest son of the Melissenos family, who was married the only daughter of the last Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis. The title refers to the hyparchies of Aeolis and Karkisa. The holder of the title is a Wuzurgan (grandee of the empire), a position that affords them a hereditary seat in the Gerousia.
The current holder of the title is one of the most awarded peers in the empire, with 39 titles, consisting of 6 dukedoms, 8 Marquessates, 10 counties, 4 Viscounties, and 12 lordships
The family seat is Parsakoutenos Hall. Subsidiary titles of the Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis are
- Duke of Karkisa,
- Duke of Aeolis,
- Duke of Pergamon,
- Duke of Adramytteion,
- Duke of Issa,
- Duke of Hellespontia,
- Marquess of Mytilene
- Marquess of Mithymna
- Marquess of Teuthrania
- Marquess of Halisarna
- Marquess of Gambrion
- Marquess of Palaigambrion
- Marquess of Myrina
- Marquess of Gryneia
- Count of Perperene
- Count of Didymateiche
- Count of Cisthene
- Count of Thyateira
- Count of Attea
- Count of Astyron
- Count of Parthaneion
- Count of Pedasa
- Count of Pioniai
- Count of Kerateis
- Viscount of Agiasos
- Viscount of Chryse
- Viscount of Cilla
- Viscount of Antissa
- Lord of Polmari
- Lord of Eresos
- Lord of Anemotia
- Lord of Kalloni
- Lord of Panagiouda
- Lord of Palaiochorion
- Lord Evergetoulas
- Lord of Vrisa
- Lord of Mantamados
- Lord Vatera
- Lord of Chidira,
- Lord of Sigri
History
The title of Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis was originally granted to Theophilus Parsakoutenos by Emperor Manuel II in 1153. Sometime later on the Parsakoutenos line died out in the male line. The only heiress married into the wealthy Melissenos family and the title was passed on to that storied family.
Titleholders
Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1153)
- Theophilius Parsakoutenos, 1st Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1101-1161)
- Leo Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 2nd Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1141-1211) son of the above
- Nikephoros Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 3rd Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1201-1246) grandson of the above.
- Theophilus Parsakoutenos, 4th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1229-1290) son of the above
- Alexander Parsakoutenos, 5th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1264-1317) son of the above
- Demetrius Parsakoutenos, 6th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1299-1380) son of the above
- Manuel Parsakoutenos, 7th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1353-1408), grandson of the above
- Alexander Parsakoutenos, 8th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1381-1448), son of the above
- Alexius Parsakoutenos, 9th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1400-1459), son of the above
- Demetrius Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 10th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1430-1481) nephew of the above
- Manuel Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 11th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1457-1517) son of the above
- Alexius Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 12th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1511-1570) grandson of the above
- Constantine Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 13th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1551-1619) grandson of the above
- Demetrius Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 14th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1610-1665) grandson of the above
- Manuel Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 15th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1648-1698) son of the above
- Demetrius Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 16th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1681-1740) son of the above
- Constantine Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 17th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1723-1810) son of the above
- NikephorosGeorge Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 18th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1784-1854) grandson of the above
- Manuel Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 19th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1824-1880), nephew of the above.
- Alexander Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 20th Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1858-1901) son of the above
- Manuel Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 21st Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1883-1945) son of above
- Heraclius Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 22nd Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1933-2001) grandson of the above
- Michael Melissenos-Parsakoutenos, 23rd Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis (1964-present) son of the above