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Another major source I forgot to add, which is pretty useful to fill families by finding members that weren't as prominent. It involves some work, especially since many family names were spelled in several ways until the name got more "standardized" you may have to try several different variations but if the person had a seal you'll generally get info on when they lived, what was their title etc.

 
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№3: Photius' family.

For several days I've been busy working on Photius' family, now let me present my interpretation of it. First member of the family, patrikios John, lived at the start of the eight century. His son Sisinnius bore the titles of patrikios, magistros and comes excubitorum. He married Enkrateia, daughter of Tarasius who was the son of emperor Leontius and descendant of emperor Phocas and general Priscus. Their son, patrikios and quaestor George, was the father of patriarch Tarasius and Zacharias, who was the grandfather of patriarch Photius.

Photius' immediate family is pretty much the same as in UMACI work. His maternal family is also the same, although in my version his grandfather Pankratios married to a daughter of usurper Arsaber. Per Settipani, Photius' brother Sergius is married to magistrissa Maria, while Eirene, sister of Theodora, was according to him married to Theophobos. Sergius and Maria were parents of patrikios Tarasius, whose son, magistros Kosmas, was an ancestor to two later patriarchs, Sergius II and Sisinnius II.
 

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This one I forgot to reply, there's an easy -and historical- solution to this. many "families" use the name of their ancestor even when the said ancestor actually belonged to a family. Since you've been working on them I'll give Mamikonians as an example, there are a host of Mamikonian descendants doing this I've just woke up so can't think of much but one such is Kourdik who is the son of the last holder of Bagrevand, Grigor Mamikonian. Mouseles are also thought to be the descendants of the Mamikonians so the families with no name could get the name of their earliest known members. Another possible example would be the Bryennios family, the earliest known Bryennios is Theoktistos Bryennios who would've been born just a generation or so after Bardanes Tourkos' son who is named Bryenes or Bryennios so he may very well have been his son.

Tthe origins of a person such as the place a person's family is from or even the place they are born in despite his family not being from there. The most prominent example I can think of right now is the Dalassenos family who is named after Dalassa or modern day Talas but there are many other examples with plenty of Antiochites, Kastamonites etc. The practice is so common sometimes there are several unrelated families all bearing the same name because of their origin.

Epithets, nicknames etc of a person can also become a family name, the name Kontostephanos comes from Stephen, a Domestic of the Schools serving during Basil II's time, he was nicknamed "Kontostephanos" (Short Stephen) due to his height.

Naming characters after their native cities is a good idea, I will make use of it.
I already use nicknames as dynasties, but few Byzantine people had them.

As for the Giustiniani family, I've only come across it very recently, a day or two before posting it here, I couldn't find anything on them besides the claim of their descent at the time and haven't had much time to do research after that.
This at best uncertain. In addition to them, Venetian Participazios also claimed descent from the Justinian's dynasty, as evidenced by their usage of names Giustiniano and Badoario (Justin II's son-in-law)
Konstantine Kontomytes
Interestingly, Constantine Kontomytes already exists in the vanilla game. Kontomytes hold the correct title, being ruler of Syracusae, but he should be much older.
I'm unsure if the son was also named Bardas or I've made a mistake here, can't find it on my notes.
Keep in mind that it wasn't customary for the Byzantine society to name children after their parents, unless they were born postumously. AFAIK Bardas' death date is unknown.
Leo Ptaolemes is an actual person who was Photios' relative and thought to be a nephew
I think we can name the whole family Ptaolemes after him.
 
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Photius' immediate family is pretty much the same as in UMACI work. His maternal family is also the same, although in my version his grandfather Pankratios married to a daughter of usurper Arsaber. Per Settipani, Photius' brother Sergius is married to magistrissa Maria, while Eirene, sister of Theodora, was according to him married to Theophobos. Sergius and Maria were parents of patrikios Tarasius, whose son, magistros Kosmas, was an ancestor to two later patriarchs, Sergius II and Sisinnius II.
Have you put in the work for the maternal family tying them to Bagrats and Kamasarakans? I've mentioned them but didn't do it in my version because I couldn't find connecting members. If you've found even the smallest bit, I'd like to learn that as well for my own use.

As for Theophobos is it Theophobos Nasr the Khurramite leader? Apart from the confusion whether it was him or his son that was the one married into the family(the latter seems more likely) There are two theories on his marriage, one is that he married a sister of Theophilos and one he married a sister of Theodora. Both are viable as there's the example of Telerig marrying a relative (most likely cousin but perhaps sister) of Empress Eirene Sarantapechina just some decades before this. I've chosen it as a sister so all of Theodora's sisters could be connected to other families and well, for playthrough reasons of having a related family with a claim and on a historical basis: We see several emperors ascend through their wives including the Amorian family. Theophilos most likely had Theophobos(should probably be the father) executed(IIRC Islamic sources say he died in his bed of an ilness or old age while Byzantine ones say he was executed) shortly before he died to secure Michael III's succesion. Theophobos was already declared emperor some years before by his Khurramite troops in Amastris or Sinope, he didn't pursue it and instead secretly made a deal with Theophilos, he and his troops were spared but they were dispersed to several different themes and kleisoura (15 places in groups of 2000), some new themes that were raised around this time are thought to be because of this.
Naming characters after their native cities is a good idea, I will make use of it.
I already use nicknames as dynasties, but few Byzantine people had them.
A small addition that came to mind, Ioannes Tziphiranites Chaldos(or Chaldus) one of Basil's co-conspirators in murder of Michael III, Chaldos is the place of his nativity with several other Chaldoses after him (possibly not connected to him). He was a strategos (unsure if it was before or after Michael's murder). If I can find it I'll add source on Basil's co-conspirators as it adds several people some from families already existing.
This at best uncertain. In addition to them, Venetian Participazios also claimed descent from the Justinian's dynasty, as evidenced by their usage of names Giustiniano and Badoario (Justin II's son-in-law)
Yes. I couldn't find anything on their early members.

Interestingly, Constantine Kontomytes already exists in the vanilla game. Kontomytes hold the correct title, being ruler of Syracusae, but he should be much older.
He exists but his family is all wrong (or does he not have a family and they are generated families?)

Keep in mind that it wasn't customary for the Byzantine society to name children after their parents, unless they were born postumously. AFAIK Bardas' death date is unknown.
From what I've read so far, the common practice is to name the firstborn after grandparents and to name those who were born posthumously could be named after the father but I've seen some people who were named after their father even though the father is very much alive. But it could very well be that their actual fathers are not mentioned and those who are assumed to be their fathers are actually their grandfathers.

I think we can name the whole family Ptaolemes after him.
With Photios' family having so many members I think if you prefer to have a cadet you may use it to name the cadet house as well and name the family after one of the earlier members or the name that seems to be the most common, Sergius.


I think I can post all my additions in the weekend but as said previously some of them are made on top of the TIP mod as I initially started it as a submod for myself. You'll have to use TIP to see them all but even without it you'll have an idea. As for the sources with the school going on I'm not sure if I can tidy them up in any near future but whatever new thing I come up with or previous source(minor ones, I've already added all the major ones) I recall having used, I'll add.
 
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Two Bulgarian Families, after all they become part of the Byzantine Empire and there's also several marriages between the ruling families of the two realms even before Bulgaria becomes part of Byzantine Empire.

Family of Sondoka the Kanbagatur

20230906110504_1.jpg


Kanbagatur is actually a title but since there's nothing to suggest of a dynasty name, I've added a dynasty and named it Kanbagatur due to his title. I've granted him a county at game start just to show he had two wives, though he should be landed, I don't have anything on where his lands were. His family is known through letters of Pope about the second Bulgarian diplomatic mission to Papacy. Other people are known from these letters as well and most of Boris Mihail's family is known only through their visit to a monastery.

I can't find the source right now but found the translation of the letter among my notes:

"From Bulgaria, who came first in that monastery, his name is Sondoka and his wife Anna, and his father John, and his mother Maria, and his son Michael, and his other son Velegnev, and his daughter Bogomila, and the other one Kalya, and the third Marta, and the fourth Elena, and the fifth Maria, and his other wife Sobeslava. And the other noble man Peter... and George. Peter and his wife Sofia."

Here is also mention of several notables:


Now for the family:
His father is named "John", and his mother "Maria" so at this point they were possibly converted. All the children here are named in the letter, two sons and five daughters and both of his wives, Anna and Sobeslava are named as well. I've distributed the children between two wives based on their names, ages are made up.

Here is the family, I've made it from scratch so no need for viewing them through the mod.

Code:
kanbagatur1 = {

    name = "Ioannes" # Sondoka's father

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = orthodox

    culture = bulgarian

    810.1.1 = {

        birth = "810.1.1"

    }

    826.1.1 = {

        add_spouse = kanbagatur2

    }   

    875.1.1 = {

        death = "875.1.1" # Was part of the second mission to papacy in 867

    }

}



kanbagatur2 = {

    name = "Maria" # Sondoka's mother

    female = yes

    religion = orthodox

    culture = bulgarian

    810.1.1 = {

        birth = "810.1.1"

    }

    826.1.1 = {

        add_spouse = kanbagatur1

    }   

    875.1.1 = {

        death = "875.1.1" # Was part of the second mission to papacy in 867

    }

}



kanbagatur3 = {

    name = "Sondoka" # Khan-bagatur

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = slavic_pagan # Because he had 2 wives

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur1

    mother = kanbagatur2

    830.1.1 = {

        birth = "830.1.1"

    }

    846.1.1 = {

        add_spouse = kanbagatur4

    }

    847.1.1 = {

        add_spouse = kanbagatur5

    }   

    905.1.1 = {

        death = "905.1.1" # date of death not known

    }

}



kanbagatur4 = {

    name = "Anna" # Sondoka's first wife

    female = yes

    religion = orthodox # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    830.1.1 = {

        birth = "830.1.1"

    }

    846.1.1 = {

        add_spouse = kanbagatur3

    }   

    905.1.1 = {

        death = "905.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur5 = {

    name = "Sobeslava" # Sondoka's second wife

    female = yes

    religion = slavic_pagan # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    830.1.1 = {

        birth = "830.1.1"

    }

    846.1.1 = {

        add_spouse = kanbagatur3

    }

    905.1.1 = {

        death = "905.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur6 = {

    name = "Bogomila" # Sondoka's first daughter

    female = yes

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = slavic_pagan # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur3

    mother = kanbagatur5 # because of their names

    855.1.1 = {

        birth = "855.1.1"

    }   

    925.1.1 = {

        death = "925.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur7 = {

    name = "Kalya" # Sondoka's second daughter

    female = yes

    dynasty =  125386 #

    religion = orthodox # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur3

    mother = kanbagatur5 # because of their names

    857.1.1 = {

        birth = "857.1.1"

    }   

    925.1.1 = {

        death = "925.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur8 = {

    name = "Marta" # Sondoka's third daughter

    female = yes

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = orthodox # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur3

    mother = kanbagatur4 # because of their names

    855.1.1 = {

        birth = "855.1.1"

    }   

    945.1.1 = {

        death = "945.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur9 = {

    name = "Elena" # Sondoka's fourth daughter

    female = yes

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = orthodox # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur3

    mother = kanbagatur4 # because of their names

    857.1.1 = {

        birth = "857.1.1"

    }   

    925.1.1 = {

        death = "925.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur10 = {

    name = "Maria" # Sondoka's fifth daughter

    female = yes

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = orthodox # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur3

    mother = kanbagatur4 # because of their names

    858.1.1 = {

        birth = "858.1.1"

    }   

    925.1.1 = {

        death = "925.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur11 = {

    name = "Michael" # Sondoka's first son

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = orthodox # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur3

    mother = kanbagatur4 # because of their names

    848.1.1 = {

        birth = "848.1.1"

    }   

    920.1.1 = {

        death = "920.1.1"

    }

}



kanbagatur12 = {

    name = "Velegnev" # Sondoka's second son

    dynasty = 125386 #

    religion = slavic_pagan # because of their names

    culture = bulgarian

    father = kanbagatur3

    mother = kanbagatur5 # because of their names

    852.1.1 = {

        birth = "852.1.1"

    }   

    925.1.1 = {

        death = "925.1.1"

    }

}





Kavkhan family. Kavkhan is a Bulgarian title, it is thought that the Kavkhan was the second important person after the Khan(Kanasubigi) and the title is thought to be hereditary with members coming repeteadly from the same family. I've included some known Ichirgu-Boila(another title) into the family as well because some Kavkhans are thought to have been Ichirgu-Boilas before being Kavkhan. The family and most of the relations are made up on what information I could find.

This is still WIP with the Kavkhans still existing in 1066. Georgi Voiteh rised up in rebellion against Byzantine Empire and tried to raise Konstantin Bodin as Tsar. He didn't become Tsar himself because the tradition held that only a member of royal family could become Tsar and Konstantin Bodin was descended from the Kometopuli(wh are themselves thought to be descendants of Krum's family most likely through Gavril or Vladimir Rasate) on his mother's side.


I may also extend it further back in history with some fictional members connecting to a historical person back to Kubrat's time and make them cadets of the Ashina because of the regency of a Kavkhan during Kubrat's childhood years and Külüg Sibir of the Ashina clan may have been Kubrat's maternal uncle and sometimes identified with this regent.


20230906110539_1.jpg



Dargamir is ambassador to Byzantine Empire in 811 with the title of either Ichirgu-Boila or Kavkhan, because of this uncertainty and some Ichirgu-Boila later being Kavkhans, I've added him to the family.

Iratais is the first person known for certain to be Kavkhan during Krum's reign. I've added him as a son for Dargamir because he is Kavkhan after 811 and there is no mention of Dargamir after 811 and he is thought to have died.

Isbul is Kavkhan after Iratais was murdered by Byzantines during a negotiation in april 814. I've added him as a brother.

Savintik is a fictional mother to Boris Mihail with a random name. I've made a Kavkhan mother for Boris based on several things: Kavkhan peter is mentioned to be the relative of Boris Mihail, Peter most likely isn't from the Krum family being a Kavkhan (like Georgi Voiteh not being from the family) and Simeon's second wife Maria was the sister of the Kavkhan George Sursuvul. With Kupetra who I'll explain below and the Ashina clan known to have a conjugal clan, Ashide, I've decided to make something similar and made a Kavkhan mother for Boris as the reason of relation to Peter.


Tuk (also Tsog) was Ichirgu-Boila shortly after Krum's death. I've added him to the Kavkhan family due to reason stated above.

Peter is Kavkhan and before that possibly also Ichirgu-Boila, more explanation was made above.

Kupetra is Boris Mihail's goddaughter and Vladimir Rasate's second wife (he was keeping two wives). I've added him as a daughter to Peter due to her name and Simeon's second wife also being from the Kavkhan family.


Maria and George Sursuvul I've added as children of Peter because of the children of Simeon. Simeon's first son was from his first wife was named Michael, named after Simeon's father(his name after conversion). His second son, who is his first son with Maria was named Peter.

Stazis is Ichirgu-Boila, added him to the family with the same reason as Tsog. I've added him as a son to Iratais only to give descendants to all the members and also the branch the family.

Theodore Sigritsa was Kavkhan during Simeon's rule, I've added him as a son to Stazis with the same reason as Stazis being added as a son to Iratais.

Mostich (he actually exists in game but is way older than he should be) is Ichirgu-Boila during Simeon's and Peter's reigns. I've added him to the family and as a son to Stazis with the same reasons stated above.



Code:
kavkhan1 = {
    name = "Dargamir" # Ambassador to Byzantine in 811, thought to be Kavkhan or Ichirgu-boila
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = tengri_pagan
    culture = bolghar
    760.1.1 = {
        birth = "760.1.1"
    }
    812.1.1 = {
        death = "812.1.1" # Because no further mention
    }
}

kavkhan2 = {
    name = "Iratais" # First known Kavkhan, Kavkhan during Krum's reign
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = tengri_pagan
    culture = bolghar
    father = kavkhan1
    780.1.1 = {
        birth = "780.1.1"
    }
    814.4.11 = {
        death = "814.4.11" # Murdered by the Byzantines during a negotiaton
    }
}

kavkhan3 = {
    name = "Isbul" # Kavkhan after Iratais
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = tengri_pagan
    culture = bolghar
    father = kavkhan1
    785.1.1 = {
        birth = "785.1.1"
    }
    845.1.1 = {
        death = "845.1.1" # died after 837
    }
}

kavkhan4 = {
    name = "Savintik" # Fictional mother to make Boris and Peter relatives
    female = yes
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = tengri_pagan
    culture = bolghar
    father = kavkhan1
    785.1.1 = {
        birth = "785.1.1"
    }
    845.1.1 = {
        death = "845.1.1" #
    }
}

kavkhan5 = {
    name = "Peter" # Boris Michael's relative and Kavkhan during his reign
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = orthodox
    culture = bolghar
    father = kavkhan3
    817.1.1 = {
        birth = "817.1.1"
    }
    880.1.1 = {
        death = "880.1.1"
    }
}


kavkhan6 = {
    name = "Kupetra" # Vladimir Rasate was keeping two wives, Kupetra was Boris Michael's goddaughter and the second of Vladimir-Rasate's two wives.
    female = yes
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = orthodox
    culture = bulgarian
    father = kavkhan5 # Because of her name
    852.1.1 = {
        birth = "852.1.1"
    }   
    920.1.1 = {
        death = "920.1.1"
    }
}

kavkhan7 = {
    name = "George Sursuvul" # Kavkhan during Simeon's and Peter's reign, brother of Simeon's second wife
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = orthodox
    culture = bulgarian
    father = kavkhan5
    862.1.1 = {
        birth = "862.1.1"
    }
    937.1.1 = {
        death = "937.1.1" # Date of death unknown, retired at 927/928
    }
}

kavkhan8 = {
    name = "Maria" # Second wife of Simeon
    female = yes
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = orthodox
    culture = bulgarian
    father = kavkhan5 # Because her son is named Peter
    867.1.1 = {
        birth = "867.1.1"
    }
    945.1.1 = {
        death = "945.1.1"
    }
}

kavkhan9 = {
    name = "Stazis" # Ichirgu-boila during Boris Michael's first mission to papacy
    dynasty = 125385 # Added to Kavkhan dynasty because because some people may have been Ichirgu-boila before being Kavkhan
    religion = orthodox
    culture = bulgarian
    father = kavkhan2 #
    827.1.1 = {
        birth = "827.1.1"
    }
    905.1.1 = {
        death = "905.1.1"
    }
}

kavkhan10 = {
    name = "Theodore Sigritsa" # Kavkhan during Simeon's rule
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = orthodox
    culture = bulgarian
    father = kavkhan9
    850.1.1 = {
        birth = "850.1.1" # Name suggests birth before conversion
    }
      
    924.1.1 = {
        death = "924.1.1" # died in battle in 924
    }
}

kavkhan11 = {
    name = "Mostich" # Ichirgu-boila during Simeon and Peter's reigns, became a monk at the age of 80
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = orthodox
    culture = bulgarian
    father = kavkhan9
    865.1.1 = {
        birth = "865.1.1" #
    }
      
    924.1.1 = {
        death = "924.1.1" # died in battle in 924
    }
}

kavkhan12 = {
    name = "Tuk" # Ichirgu-boila shortly after Krum's death
    dynasty = 125385 # Kavkhan title is thought to be hereditary
    religion = tengri_pagan
    culture = bolghar
    father = kavkhan1
    786.1.1 = {
        birth = "786.1.1"
    }
    815.1.1 = {
        death = "815.1.1" #
    }
}
 
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I'll also add the Krum family(867 start at first, and later members in another day) later on during the day but I think I'll just point out members instead of giving a family tree because right now I've added way too many fictional characters to the family for gameplay reasons so that the people who are known or thought to be family members but are not given exact relations would be from different branches and only distantly related.
 
Krum had at least one brother. Dukum who ruled for a very short time after Krum's death is thought to be his brother. He died in 813 or 814.

Dicevg who also ruled for a short time after Dukum is thought to be either a second brother of Krum or the eldest son of Krum and therefore an older brother of Omurtag. Dicevg is claimed to have become blind, perhaps in old age, and Omurtag became Khan in his place (Dicevg may have been murdered by his own people). Identifying him with a brother of Krum is seen more likely, possibly due to him "becoming blind in old age"

Krum had a sister whose name wasn't mentioned. Krum married her to the Byzantine defector Konstantine Patzikos (Son of Pacik or Patzik). The couple had at least one child, a son who was old enough to join his uncle in war in 813.

Edit: I couldn't find the source for Konstantin Patzikos among my notes but found a new one which mentions other defectors.


Malamir and Enravota had an older brother, Enravota (Also called Voin and Boyan) who was deprived of the throne possibly due to him converting to Christianity. He was killed by his brother in 833 after refusing to renounce Christianity.


Boris Mihail had a sister, Anna, who converted to christianity during her captivity in Constantinople. His daughter Anna was named after this aunt.


Boris had two daughters with Maria, Eupraxia and Anna(also another daughter by a mistress). Currently only Anna exists and she is older than she should be.

Tudor Duxov (Theodore Doxov), Son of Dox, the brother of Boris Mihail.


Anna, the younger sister of Tsar Simeon is married to Tarkan Simeon.

Marmais, who exists in game but is way older than he should be, is thought to be either the descendant of the Severians in the Balkans (Slavun, a Severian prince in Balkans was raiding Thrace and was captured by Byzantines in 767) or a member of the Krum family.

Salan, who exists in game, is also a relative of the Bulgarian Khan according to Gesta Hungarorum.The source itself isn't that reliable but many elements from it already used in game.

Vladimir-Rasate had two wives. I've already mentioned Kupetra who is the second wife in my previous post and added a source but couldn't find anything on the first wife.

Olga of Kiev who is claimed to have been from Pskov which was called Pleskov may have been a member of the Krum family as well. There are two theories regarding her ancestry, one suggesting she was a descendant (daughter) of Helgi the Seer and the second is that she is a Bulgarian princess and she was not from Pskov, which was previously called Pleskov(Плѣсковъ), but rather from Pliska(Пльсковъ, romanized spelling: Plĭskovŭ ) the Bulgarian capital. The Bulgarian origin theory suggests she was the daughter of either Vladimir Rasate or Simeon. Since Simeon's children are known, the former is more likely.

There are more missing members of the ruling family of Bulgaria but I'll add them in a later post. One more thing while ending this one. Kometopuli are also thought to be members of the Krum family who are descended from either Vladimir Rasate or Gavril (brothrer of Vladimir and Simeon, not their uncle the brother of Dox and Boris Mihail). Anna Komnene, whose maternal grandmother Maria was a Kometopuli) herself says in Alexiad that she was a descendant of "Shishman Mokros" with Shisman being the father of Samuel. Mokros is found to be a copying error of Kromos and because Samuel's father is known to be Nicholas, Shishman is thought to be his monastic name.

This bit comes from things I've read on several sources I'll start with adding two.



The second one I've just found, this is not one of the sources I've previously read for Kometopuli-Krum connection but is also related.

Edit 2: Another source for Kometopuli-Krum connection https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Никола_(комит)

Using google translate for the relevant bit: "The origin of Nicholas and his sons is also disputed. Among the historians of the nineteenth century there is a widespread opinion that the family of comite Nikola originated from "Shishman Mokri" and in support of this thesis they point to an information of the Byzantine princess and writer Anna Komnena (a distant descendant of the Bulgarian royal family in the 992th century): "... the Bulgarian basileus Mokros and his descendants, especially Samuil, the last of the Bulgarian dynasty ...". But after the Samuil inscription from the village of German, Prespa (from 993/<>) and the Vienna manuscript of the chronicle of John Scylitzes with the additions of Bishop Michael Devolski (from the beginning of the <>th century) were discovered, it became clear that the name Mokros was the mistake of a Byzantine copyist of the <>th century, who distorted the original "Kromos" i.e. Krum, which should mean that Nicholas and his sons were direct descendants of the Bulgarian ruler."

I'll try to add sources to ones that lack it later on.
 
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Another source which I forgot to add, I've used it for Rurikids so forgot to add it here but it has families from several countries including Byzantine Empire. I've found that it misses some things and have mistakes when compared to some other stuff I've found but is generally rather extensive and also had information I couldn't find anywhere else.

 
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One more from my notes:

Melias. Melias family exists in game but only in name. Melias was possibly the grandson of Mleh Varazhnuni who died in 853 fighting against the Arabs.

 
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Another thing I recalled, which is Troian marrying a lady who is a descendant of the families of Kontostephanos, Abalates/Aballantes and Phokas.

First source for this is the one I've given above

https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/BULGARIA.htm#_ftn192

but I vaguely remember reading another thing on that this lady being also the descendant of a Bulgarian from the ruling family(Krum or Dulo, can't recall the person) who went to Byzantine Empire but can't find it.

Although I may be confusing her with another Byzantine woman who is thought to have been the descendant of a Bulgarian from the ruling family and married back into Bulgaria but I'm almost certain I'm not confusing it with Ivan Vladislav's wife Maria who is thought to be the daughter of Boris II.

Edit: I'm uncertain but perhaps the Byzantine lady of Bulgarian origin I was thinking of mau have been the mother of Maria( Boris II's daughter) because I vaguely recall the the marriage(or perhaps an affair without marriage) taking place in Constantinople during the man was captive/hostage and the ancestor could've been Telerig.
 
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I think I've found all the sources I've read that mention Basil's plotters. It also has info on many other people but I admit I haven't read them through.

Two things I remember I should emphasise here is Constantine Toxaras who was rewarded with the theme of Kibyrrhaiotai. Another Toxaras who was a diplomat, Michael, exists in game, perhaps they were brothers. Also Symbatios the Armenian who I've previously mentioned, having a brother, Bardas.




 
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Here, another portion of my work

Code:
amorion1= {
    name = "Michael" # Fictional father to George to connect him to Nikephoros
    dynasty = 8642 #
    religion = iconoclast
    culture = greek
    712.1.1 = {
        birth = "712.1.1"
    }
    775.1.1 = {
        death = "775.1.1"
    }
}


amorion2= {
    name = "George" # Father of Leon. Father or Grandfather of Michael II was cousin or uncle of Nikephoros I
    dynasty = 8642 #
    religion = iconoclast
    culture = greek
    father = amorion1
    730.1.1 = {
        birth = "730.1.1"
    }
    780.1.1 = {
        death = "780.1.1"
    }
}


amorion3= {
    name = "Leon" #  Michael II's father
    dynasty = 8642 #
    religion = iconoclast
    culture = greek
    father = amorion2
    752.1.1 = {
        birth = "752.1.1"
    }
    802.1.1 = {
        death = "802.1.1"
    }
}


amorion4= {
    name = "Leontia" # Theophilus was related to "Elder Martinakes", it is thought it was through an unnamed aunt
    female = yes
    dynasty = 8642 #
    religion = iconoclast
    culture = greek
    father = amorion3
    795.1.1 = {
        birth = "795.1.1"
    }
    815.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = martinakoi_new8 #
    }
    850.1.1 = {
        death = "850.1.1"
    }
}


amorion5= {
    name = "Staurakios" # Fictional father to Nikephoros to connect him to George
    dynasty = 8645 #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion1
    732.1.1 = {
        birth = "732.1.1"
    }
    775.1.1 = {
        death = "775.1.1"
    }
}


amorion6= {
    name = "Leon" # Close relative and friend of Michael II, whose name is unknown
    dynasty = 8642 #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion2 # connection to Michael II unknown
    760.1.1 = {
        birth = "760.1.1"
    }
    820.1.1 = {
        death = "820.1.1"
    }
}


amorion7= {
    name = "Papias" # Keykeeper who is related to Michael II
    dynasty = 8642 #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion6
    780.1.1 = {
        birth = "780.1.1"
    }
    837.1.1 = {
        death = "837.1.1"
    }
}


amorion8= {
    name = "George" # Fictional brother to Michael II to add his nephew Katakylas
    dynasty = 8642 #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion3
    780.1.1 = {
        birth = "780.1.1"
    }
    837.1.1 = {
        death = "837.1.1"
    }
}


amorion9= {
    name = "Katakylas" # Nephew or cousin of Michael II
    dynasty_house = house_katakalon #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion8
    810.1.1 = {
        birth = "810.1.1"
    }
    857.1.1 = {
        death = "857.1.1"
    }
}




amorion10= {
    name = "Katakalon" # Either Katakylas or a son with a similar name had a son, Gabalas
    dynasty_house = house_katakalon #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion9
    830.1.1 = {
        birth = "830.1.1"
    }
    887.1.1 = {
        death = "887.1.1"
    }
}


amorion11= {
    name = "Leon" # Domestic of School around 900, married to a relative of Photios
    dynasty_house = house_katakalon #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion10
    851.1.1 = {
        birth = "851.1.1"
    }
    867.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = photios7
    }
    920.1.1 = {
        death = "920.1.1"
    }
}


amorion12= {
    name = "Gabalas" # Father of Anna Gabala
    dynasty_house = house_katakalon #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion10
    867.1.1 = {
        birth = "867.1.1"
    }
    930.1.1 = {
        death = "930.1.1"
    }
}


amorion13= {
    name = "Anna Gabala" # wife of Stephanos Lekapanos
    dynasty_house = house_katakalon #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = greek
    father = amorion12
    900.1.1 = {
        birth = "900.1.1"
    }
    970.1.1 = {
        death = "970.1.1"
    }
}


## Basil's co-conspirators ##


Chaldos1 = {
    name = "Ioannes Tziphinarites" # Basil's co-conspirator, Strategos of Chaldia
    dynasty = 125380 #
    religion = "orthodox"
    culture = "greek"
    830.1.1 = {
        birth = "830.1.1"
    }
    898.1.1 = {
        death = "898.1.1"
    }
}


Bulgarus1 = {
    name = "Peter" # Basil's co-conspirator,
    dynasty = 125381 #
    religion = "orthodox"
    culture = "bulgarian"
    835.1.1 = {
        birth = "835.1.1"
    }
    918.1.1 = {
        death = "918.1.1"
    }
}


Gabras1 = {
    name = "Gabriel" # Fictional member of Gabras family
    dynasty = 125382 #
    religion = "orthodox"
    culture = "greek"
    840.1.1 = {
        birth = "840.1.1"
    }
    918.1.1 = {
        death = "918.1.1"
    }
}

Amorius Dynasty additions I've previously shown but I don't think I've added the history files.

Ioannes Tziphiranites Chaldus I've mentioned, Peter is "Peter Bulgarus" notice how his name includes his nativity. Gabriel is a "fictional" member of Gabras family, a Gabras was one of Basil's co-conspirators.

Edit: Some more before I sleep, mostly families of emperors, not all of them are complete

Code:
## CONSTANTINUS DYNASTY ##


constantinus_new1= {
    name = "Dalmatius" # Dalmatius the Censor, Censor of 333
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70524 # Constantius I Chlorus
    mother = maximianus_new2#    Maximiana Theodora
    290.1.1 = {
        birth = "1.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    337.5.1 = {
        death = "337.5.1" # Died in the purges of 337
    }
}

constantinus_new2= {
    name = "Delmatius" # Dalmatius the Censor, Censor of 333
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new1 # Dalmatius Censor
    315.1.1 = {
        birth = "315.1.1" # Probably born before mid 320s
    }
    337.8.1 = {
        death = "337.8.1" # Was killed by his own soldiers in late summer 337
    }
}

constantinus_new3= {
    name = "Hanniballianus" # Son of Dalmatius the Censor of 333, possibly named after his uncle
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new1 # Dalmatius Censor
    317.1.1 = {
        birth = "317.1.1" # Probably born before mid 320s
    }
    335.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = constantinus_new9 # Constantina, eldest daughter of Constantine
    }
    337.5.1 = {
        death = "337.5.1" # Died along with his two sons in the purges of 337
    }
}

constantinus_new4= {
    name = "Constantia" # Hanniballianus and Constantina possibly had a daughter named Constantia
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new3 # Hanniballianus
    mother = constantinus_new9 # Constantina
    336.1.1 = {
        birth = "336.1.1" #
    }
    352.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # Memmius Vitrasius Orfitius
    }
    390.1.1 = {
        death = "390.1.1" # unknown
    }
}

constantinus_new5= {
    name = "Anastasia" #
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70524 # Constantius I Chlorus
    mother = maximianus_new2#  Maximiana Theodora
    300.1.1 = {
        birth = "300.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    454.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # Married to Bassianus
    }
    330.1.1 = {
        death = "330.1.1" # Unknown
    }
}

constantinus_new6= {
    name = "Eutropia" # Daughter of Contantius I Chlorus and Maximiana Theodora. Mother of the pretender Nepotianus
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70524 # Constantius I Chlorus
    mother = maximianus_new2#  Maximiana Theodora
    305.1.1 = {
        birth = "305.1.1" # Unknown, her father died 306.7.25
    }
    454.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # Married to Virius Nepotianus, consul of 336
    }
    350.1.1 = {
        death = "350.1.1" # Died 350
    }
}

constantinus_new7= {
    name = "Crispus" # Eldest son of Constantine the Great from his first wife or concubine Minervina
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70523 #
    300.1.1 = {
        birth = "300.1.1" # Born c. 303 when he died.
    }
    322.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # Helena
    }
    326.1.1 = {
        death = "326.1.1" # Executed in 326
    }
}

constantinus_new8= {
    name = "Constans" # Unnamed son of Crispus, Grandson of Constantantine the Great
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new7#
    324.1.1 = {
        birth = "324.1.1" # Crispus probably married in 322 and was executed in 326
    }
    338.1.1 = {
        death = "338.1.1" #
    }
}

constantinus_new9= {
    name = "Constantina" # Daughter of Constantine the Great
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70523# Constantantine I the Great
    mother = maximianus_new1 # Fausta, daughter of Maximian the Western Emperor
    321.1.1 = {
        birth = "321.1.1" # Born before mid 320s
    }
    335.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = constantinus_new3#
    }
    349.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = constantinus_new18 # Married to Constantius Gallus possibly around 349/350
    }
    354.1.1 = {
        death = "354.1.1" # Died 354
    }
}

constantinus_new10= {
    name = "Helena" # Daughter of Constantine the Great
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70523# Constantantine I the Great
    mother = maximianus_new1 # Fausta, daughter of Maximian the Western Emperor
    333.1.1 = {
        birth = "333.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    355.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = 145237 # Married to Emperor Julian the Apostate in 355
    }
    360.1.1 = {
        death = "360.1.1" # Died 360
    }
}

constantinus_new11= {
    name = "Fausta" # Unnamed daughter of Constantine the Great
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70523# Constantantine I the Great
    mother = maximianus_new1 # Fausta, daughter of Maximian the Western Emperor
    324.1.1 = {
        birth = "324.1.1" # Unknown, her daughter was born around 340
    }
    339.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # Married to Justus Consularis of Picenum
    }
    370.1.1 = {
        death = "370.1.1" # Unknown
    }
}

constantinus_new12= {
    name = "Julia Constantia" # Daughter of Constantius Chlorus and Maximiana Theodora
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70524 # Constantius I Chlorus
    mother = maximianus_new2#  Maximiana Theodora
    297.1.1 = {
        birth = "297.1.1" # Born after 293
    }
    313.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = 145238 # Married to Emperor Licinius in 313
    }
    330.1.1 = {
        death = "330.1.1" # Died 330
    }
}

constantinus_new13= {
    name = "Hanniballianus" # Son of Constantius Chlorus and Maximiana Theodora, brother to Dalmatius and Julius Constantius
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70524 # Constantius I Chlorus
    mother = maximianus_new2#    Maximiana Theodora
    295.1.1 = {
        birth = "295.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    337.1.1 = {
        death = "337.1.1" # Unknown
    }
}


constantinus_new14= {
    name = "Julius Constantius" # Consul of 335, son of Contantius Chlorus and Maximiana Theodora
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 70524 # Constantius I Chlorus
    mother = maximianus_new2#    Maximiana Theodora
    291.1.1 = {
        birth = "291.1.1" # Born after 289
    }
    1.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # Galla, sister to consuls Vulcacius Rufinus and Neratius Cerealis
    }
    1.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # Basilina the daughter of the governor of Egypt Julius Julianus,
    }

    337.5.1 = {
        death = "337.5.1" # Died in the purges of 337
    }
}

constantinus_new15= {
    name = "Theodora" # Unnamed first daughter of Julius Constantius and his first wife Galla
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new14 #
    322.1.1 = {
        birth = "322.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    380.1.1 = {
        death = "380.1.1" # unknown
    }
}

constantinus_new16= {
    name = "Julia" # Galla and Julius possibly had a second daughter
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new14 #
    328.1.1 = {
        birth = "328.1.1" # Born between 324 and 331
    }
    390.1.1 = {
        death = "390.1.1" # unknown
    }
}

constantinus_new17= {
    name = "Maximian" # Unnamed first son of Julius Constantius and Galla
    dynasty = 1022195 # 
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new14 #
    323.1.1 = {
        birth = "323.1.1" #
    }
    337.5.1 = {
        death = "337.5.1" # Died along with his father in the purges of 337
    }
}

constantinus_new18= {
    name = "Constantinus Gallus" # Second son of Julius Constantius and Galla
    dynasty = 1022195 # 
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new14 #
    325.6.1 = {
        birth = "325.6.1" # Born 325/326
    }
    349.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = constantinus_new9 # Married to Constantina possibly 349/350
    }
    354.1.1 = {
        death = "354.1.1" # Died 354 aged 28
    }
}

constantinus_new19= {
    name = "Anastasia" # Only daughter of Constantinus Gallus and Constantina
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022195 # Constantinus
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = constantinus_new18# Constantinus Gallus
    mother = constantinus_new9 # Constantina
    351.1.1 = {
        birth = "351.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    401.1.1 = {
        death = "401.1.1" # Unknown
    }
}


## CONSTANTIUS DYNASTY ##

constantius_new1= {
    name = "Justa Grata Honoria" # Daughter of Constantius III and Galla Placidia
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022192 # Constantius
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 145228#
    419.1.1 = {
        birth = "419.1.1" # Born c. 418
    }
    454.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = # May have married to Herculanus after the intrigue with Attila
    }
    484.1.1 = {
        death = "484.1.1" # Died around 484
    }
}

constantius_new2= {
    name = "Placidia" # Daughter of Valentinian III
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022192 # Constantius
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 145229
    mother = theodosius_new1 # Licinia Eudoxia
    440.1.1 = {
        birth = "440.1.1" # Born between 439-443
    }
    454.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = anicii1 # married to Olybrius in 454/455
    }
    484.1.1 = {
        death = "484.1.1" # Died around 484
    }

konstantinos_new1= {
    name = "Konstantina" # Tiberius Konstantin's daughter, married to Maurice
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022185 #
    religion = "orthodox"
    culture = greek
    father = 145073
    563.1.1 = {
        birth = "563.1.1"
    }
    582.8.5 = {
        add_spouse = 70510 # Married along with her sister in a dual ceremony, Charito to Germanus and Konstantina to Maurice
    }
    610.1.1 = {
        death = "610.1.1" #
    }
}

konstantinos_new2= {
    name = "Charito" # Tiberius Konstantin's daughter, married to Caesar Germanus 
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022185 #
    religion = "orthodox"
    culture = greek
    father = 145073
    565.1.1 = {
        birth = "565.1.1"
    }
    582.8.5 = {
        add_spouse =  justinian_new8 # Married along with her sister in a dual ceremony, Charito to Germanus and Konstantina to Maurice
    }
    610.1.1 = {
        death = "610.1.1" # She outlived her father
    }
}

## LICINIANUS DYNASTY  ##


licinianus_new1= {
    name = "Licinianus" # Licinianus Caesar, son of Emperor Licinius and Julia Constantia
    dynasty = 1022196 # Licinianus 
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 145238 # Emperor Licinius
    mother = constantinus_new12#  Julia Constantia
    315.7.15 = {
        birth = "315.7.15" # Born july or august 315
    }
    326.1.1 = {
        death = "326.1.1" # Executed by Constantine in 326
    }
}

## MAXIMIAN DYNASTY ##


maximianus_new1= {
    name = "Fausta" # Daughter of Maximian and Eutropia, a woman of Syrian Greek origin
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022233 # Constantinus 
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 145293# Constantantine I the Great
    289.1.1 = {
        birth = "289.1.1" #
    }
    307.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = 70523 # 
    }
    326.1.1 = {
        death = "326.1.1" # Executed in 337, possibly for adultery with her stepson Crispus
    }
}

maximianus_new2= {
    name = "Maximiana Theodora" # Daughter of Maximian, perhaps adoptive
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1022233 # Constantinus 
    religion = orthodox
    culture = roman #
    father = 145293# Constantantine I the Great
    275.1.1 = {
        birth = "275.1.1" #
    }
    288.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = 70524 # Married before 289.4.21
    }
    335.1.1 = {
        death = "335.1.1" # Died before 337
    }
}
}


Some Persians related to people from Byzantine Empire, I'll also add Khurramites later on
Code:
#### PERSIANS ####

sassanid_new1= {
    name = "Mirhran" # Sister of Khosrau II, wife of Shahrvaraz
    dynasty = 1029100 #
    religion = mazdayasna
    culture = persian
    father = 180631
    590.1.1 = {
        birth = "590.1.1"
    }
    610.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = mihran_new2
    }
    650.1.1 = {
        death = "650.1.1"
    }
}

mihran_new1= {
    name = "Ardashir" # father of Shahrvaraz
    dynasty = 1042070 # He was of Mihran dynasty
    religion = mazdayasna
    culture = persian
    father = 180645 # No mention of his father
    573.1.1 = {
        birth = "573.1.1"
    }
    615.1.1 = {
        death = "615.1.1" #
    }
}

mihran_new2= {
    name = "Farrukhan Shahrvaraz" #
    dynasty = 1042070 #
    religion = mazdayasna
    culture = persian
    father = mihran_new1
    590.1.1 = {
        birth = "590.1.1"
    }
    610.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = sassanid_new1
    }
    630.6.9 = {
        death = "630.6.9" #
    }
}

mihran_new3= {
    name = "Shapur-i Shahrwaraz" #
    dynasty = 1042070 #
    religion = mazdayasna
    culture = persian
    father = mihran_new2
    mother = sassanid_new1
    610.1.1 = {
        birth = "610.1.1"
    }
    631.1.1 = {
        death = "631.1.1" # Last mention is in 630
    }
}

mihran_new4= {
    name = "Niketas" # Niketas the Persian
    dynasty = 1042070 #
    religion = orthodox # he is thought to have converted during his stay as a hostage in Byzantine Empire
    culture = persian
    father = mihran_new2
    mother = sassanid_new1 # It isn't certain that he is Mirhran's son
    620.1.1 = {
        birth = "620.1.1"
    }
    637.1.1 = {
        death = "637.1.1" # executed sometime after 636
    }
}

mihran_new5= {
    name = "Nike" # Wife of Theodosius
    female = yes
    dynasty = 1042070 #
    religion = orthodox
    culture = persian
    father = mihran_new2
    mother = sassanid_new1 # It isn't certain that she is Mirhran's daughter
    623.1.1 = {
        birth = "623.1.1"
    }
    640.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = herakleidon_new28
    }
    680.1.1 = {
        death = "680.1.1" #
    }
}

arsacid_new1= {
    name = "Valentinus" # Father of Fausta, wife of Constans II
    dynasty = 100685 # He is of Arsacid dynasty
    religion = armenian_apostolic
    culture =  armenian
    600.1.1 = {
        birth = "600.1.1"
    }
    645.1.1 = {
        death = "645.1.1" # died 644/645
    }
}

arsacid_new2= {
    name = "Fausta" # wife of Constans II Herakleidon
    female = yes
    dynasty = 100685 #
    religion = armenian_apostolic
    culture = armenian
    father = arsacid_new1
    630.1.1 = {
        birth = "630.1.1"
    }
    647.1.1 = {
        add_spouse = 70508
    }
    670.1.1 = {
        death = "670.1.1" # died after 668
    }
}

. I've added several hundred fictional slavs to represent more than a dozen slavic tribes and their branches that aren't existing in the game, especially ones that are in Byzantine territory. I'm just sending a historical one, Family of two for Michael of Zahumlje

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_of_Zahumlje

I've made them Polish because they weren't Serbs but belonged to a Lecithic tribe.

Code:
busebutze1= {
    name = "Busebutze" # Father of Michael
    dynasty = 125367 # Višević
    religion = slavic_pagan
    culture = polish
    835.1.1 = {
        birth = "835.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    895.1.1 = {
        death = "895.1.1" # Unknown
    }
}

busebutze2 = {
    name = "Michael" # Ruler of Zahumlje
    dynasty = 125367 # Višević
    religion = slavic_pagan
    culture = polish
    father = busebutze1
    864.1.1 = {
        birth = "864.1.1" # Unknown
    }
    945.1.1 = {
        death = "945.1.1" #Thought to have died sometime after 940
    }
}
 
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He exists but his family is all wrong (or does he not have a family and they are generated families?)
The family you saw was generated, by default he doesn't have any
Another thing I recalled, which is Troian marrying a lady who is a descendant of the families of Kontostephanos, Abalates/Aballantes and Phokas.
I just planned to take care of it and later post the results. In short, the connection possibly goes through the sister of John Tzimiskes, who married to Romanos Abalantes (they already exist in the vanilla). Romanos' dynasty is named Balatios in the game, which I think is just the form of Balantes/Abalantes. Their son was Leo Balantes, one of Tzimiskes henchmen who assisted him in the murder of Nikephoros II.

Romanos' daughter married to Stephen Kontostephanos, and Troian's wife descended from this union.
Also a fun fact - in the game he have a daughter named Theophano, who is pretty obviously a doublet of Theophanu.

Have you put in the work for the maternal family tying them to Bagrats and Kamasarakans? I've mentioned them but didn't do it in my version because I couldn't find connecting members. If you've found even the smallest bit, I'd like to learn that as well for my own use.
Yeah, I've handled this as well. In my tree, Pankratios Morocharzanios, Photius' maternal grandfather, is a son of Smbat VII Bagratuni. Arsaber, his father-in-law (and thus Photius' great-grandfather) is a son of Nerseh Kamsarakan (159574).
With Photios' family having so many members I think if you prefer to have a cadet you may use it to name the cadet house as well and name the family after one of the earlier members or the name that seems to be the most common, Sergius.
For me personally, having just one member with anything eligible for a dynasty is enough to apply it to entire family. That way I also called Philaretos of Amnia's dynasty Phlorinos after Theoktiste Phlorina.

I think that PDX just wanted to create some vassals for Bulgaria without putting much research into the matter, so they made Marmais and Mostich adults in 867 bookmark.
 
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A note on Nicholas Mystikos.

He is described as an oikogenes of Photius (literally born in the same house with him). If we accept that Nicholas' was in fact Photius' nephew, I would suggest the following. Given that Photius' family was from Constantinople, and Nicholas is said to have Italian origins, I think it might be better to make him the son of a fictional couple, an Italian Greek man and Photius's sister.

Nicholas also had a brother named John, who should be added.
 
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A note about Nicholas Mystikos.

He is described as a oikogenes of Photius (literally born in the same house with him). If we accept that Nicholas' was in fact Photius' nephew, I would suggest the following. Given that Photius' family was from Constantinople, and Nicholas is said to have Italian origins, I think it might be better to make him the son of a fictional couple, an Italian Greek man and Photius's sister.

Nicholas also had a brother named John, who also should be added.
Him being "Italian" could simply be that he was born there, Emperor Tzimiskes is a good example on that he even carries the place of his birth in his name despite his family not being from there but I've also seen it mentioned that instead of being a nephew, he may have been the son of a servant of the household or something like that, can't exactly recall. Most likely this theory is based on what you say. I've not noticed the mention of his brother before so good catch.


I just planned to take care of it and later post the results. In short, the connection possibly goes through the sister of John Tzimiskes, who married to Romanos Abalantes (they already exist in the vanilla). Romanos' dynasty is named Balatios in the game, which I think is just the form of Balantes/Abalantes. Their son was Leo Balantes, one of Tzimiskes henchmen who assisted him in the murder of Nikephoros II.

Romanos' daughter married to Stephen Kontostephanos, and Troian's wife descended from this union.
Also a fun fact - in the game he have a daughter named Theophano, who is pretty obviously a doublet of Theophanu.
Can you send the sources on this one? It's really bugging me that I couldn't remember that Byzantine lady, her ancestry and who she married. I remember that I've found her about the same time I've found the Kontostephanie wife so they must've been connected somehow(not by blood I think) but how?


With my above posts I think I've posted most of my non-fictional and Byzantine work so far the rest is small bits, individuals, some small families etc. I may have missed somethings that I've shown here previously but not posted.

I'm also working on an Attilid family tree with a connection to Dulos and several historical characters that are thought to be related to him and served for a time in Byzantine Empire so I can send that as well if you are interested.
 
I think it might be better to make him the son of a fictional couple, an Italian Greek man and Photius's sister.
Sorry I somehow skipped this part. I think this is a good idea. Given that he was born in 852, I think he could also be made a son of one of Tarasisos’ several sons and daughters and an Italian spouse as his older children would be about the right age to have him. I can’t recall if the date she died was given, if it’s suitable I suggest the daughter who died in childbirth.
 
Can you send the sources on this one? It's really bugging me that I couldn't remember that Byzantine lady, her ancestry and who she married. I remember that I've found her about the same time I've found the Kontostephanie wife so they must've been connected somehow(not by blood I think) but how?
Untitled.png

Here it is. The claim about Maria's descent from the Phokades, Ababalantoi and Kontostephanoi, was first made by her grandson-in-law, Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger.
Sorry I somehow skipped this part. I think this is a good idea. Given that he was born in 852, I think he could also be made a son of one of Tarasisos’ several sons and daughters and an Italian spouse as his older children would be about the right age to have him. I can’t recall if the date she died was given, if it’s suitable I suggest the daughter who died in childbirth.
She died in 871, the time when Photius wrote one of his letters to Tarasius, so I think she is not eligible to be Nicholas' mother.
 
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View attachment 1020860
Here it is. The claim about Maria's descent from the Phokades, Ababalantoi and Kontostephanoi, was first made by her grandson-in-law, Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger.

She died in 871, the time when Photius wrote one of his letters to Tarasius, so I think she is not eligible to be Nicholas' mother.
Thanks, unfortunately it didn’t spark anything. As for Tarasios’ daughter, I thought it would be earlier considering Photios himself was born around 810 and Tarasios being the eldest of his brothers.

I’m not at home atm and don’t have my source at hand but his parents both died around 820 I think so if John is the older brother and Nicholas is the younger brother, or the age difference isn’t much a sister as you suggested would work as well.
 
One small thing I’d like to emphasise is Leo the wise was most likely the son of Michael and not Basil. From their actions both Basil and Leo apparently thought this way and in Basil’s case it may be knowledge rather than thought since the marriage was a sham to cover Michael’s affair. Stephen’s paternity is also uncertain considering Michael was alive during his conception.
 
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