Name: House Argyros
Founded by: Leo Argyros in the Mid-9th century AD
History: Founded in the Ninth Century Anno Domini, the House Argyros rose to prominence in Charsanion, ruling numerous estates throughout the Thema. Over time, the family rose to power, eventually ruling the Imperium through Romanos III in 1028. At home Romanos III faced several conspiracies, mostly centered around his sister-in-law Theodora, as in 1029 and 1030. Although he survived these attempts on the throne, his early death in 1034 was supposed to have been due to poison administered by his wife, though there is also speculation that he was drowned in a bath on his wife's orders. He was buried in the Church of St. Mary Peribleptos, which he built. Afterwards, the family fell out of favor, losing much of their power. Since then, they became purveyors of secrets, gaining power quietly under the Doukid Anarchies and the early Angeloi. They are, however, loyal followers of the Angelos Dynasty, and will act as spymasters if need be. Now, they stand higher than their lowest point, but not in command of the vast resources they once had. They will likely play any card in their hand to get their way.
Notable members: Leo Argyros, Romanos III Argyros, Konstantinos Argyros, Gregorios Argyros
Representative in the Senate: Ioustinianos Argyros
Representative in the Imperial Senate
Name: Ioustinianos Argyros
Date of birth: October 7, 1451
Culture/nationality: Roman
Received titles and honors: Imperial Senator, doux of Chaldia
Biography: Ioustinianos was born as the only son of his father, Gregorios Argyros in the city of Trapezus, his family's seat of power, far from his family's old lands. He was raised in that same city, in the house of his grandfather, the Doux of Chaldia. He was trained in the arts of politics, diplomacy, and administration. However, he took particularly well to the learning of secrets, and quickly began decoding missives from the enemies of the Imperium, but had a particular interest in the messages of the Xenoi. He began learning the language of the hated enemy of the Imperium. Before he was born, his grandfather died in Konstantinoupolis, when a mysterious fire broke out near the Komnenos Household. Thus, Ioustinianos' father ascended to the thema of Chaldia. There he reigned for 35 years, before dying of an unknown ailment, and passing the throne to the 28-year-old Ioustinianos. He has a slightly non-traditional view, believing that adaptation is the best hope for the Imperium. He has many connections with the darker corners of the Imperial administration and bureaucracy, and believes that destroying an enemy from within is the best method.