Vlastos
Encyclopedia
Vlastos is the name of an ancient noble
family, probably of Greek
descent, with origins tracing back to 1st century Rome
. The family history has never been impartially studied and the first 1000 years are not well researched.
Today, there are about 400 Vlastos families around the world, half of them living in Crete
. Less than 20 families live in Chios
, less than 20 live in other parts of Greece
, and less than 30 live in the rest of Europe
. About 15 families live in Russia
, 15 in the United States
and Canada
, and 8 in Australia
.
before the 11th century. There, they were well established, powerful and respected. Due to "faulty" translations (Vlastos means "offspring"), intermarriages with other known families are not known. For example, a person mentioned as Komnenovlastos is recognized as a Komnenos and not as a Komnenos x Vlastos offspring.
The Vlastoses were "warlords" (Condottieri
), with a private army serving the needs of the Emperor of the day at a fee. They were also represented in the Senate.
In 1182, the Emperor Alexios II Komnenos
(1180–1183), ordered the resettlement of Crete
. Some authors have used the date 1082. The text below clears this error. Only Alexis II was "Porphyrogenitos
". Further more, if Alexios I was the emperor at the time, his daughter Anna would have mentioned it in her account of her father's life and achievements, in her book The Alexiad. Another year mentioned is 1092, it is a fictitious number.
Alexios II ordered the 12 Condottiero families (Phokas, Skordylis, Kavadas, Kafatos, Archoleos, Chortatzis, Moussouros, Varouchas, Melissinos, Litinos, Argyropoulos, and Vlastos) to migrate and resettle the island of Crete. Fokas and Skordyllis were in charge. The purpose of the expedition: To increase the Christian population, defend the island from Arabs and pirates, and collect taxes. Allegedly, it took 850 ships to transport the 12 families, their soldiers and supplies and horses to Crete.
In charge of the Vlastos family was the Archon
and Senator (Εντιμος και ευγενης αρχων) Manousos (born c. 1160), son of Demetrius (born c. 1135), with his brothers Stefanos, Symeon, Ioannis, Prokopios, Marinos and Georgios. In Crete, although it was planned to settle in Messara
, the family settled to the south of Rethymnon, in the area known as Amari. The village Rustica, was associated with the Vlastos family.
22 years after the arrival of the 12 families, Constantinople fell into Latin hands and the Venetians bought Crete from the Latin Emperor. Soon the first Venetian soldiers arrived. Genoa was also keen to control Crete and later the Byzantine Emperors wanted to have Crete back. There was a new revolt every few years and the Vlastoses were practically involved in every one of those.
The history of the Vlastos family in Venetian Crete can be easily followed due to the excellent record keeping of the Venetians. Selected wills and other documents included in the saved protocols of the notaries working in Venetian Crete, kept in Venice, are being published every year in Latin or translated. The books are a good example.
In 1272, the brothers Chortatzis started a revolt against Venetian rule that lasted 30 years. The Cretans were getting stronger and winning. When it became clear that a win was possible, Alexios Kallergis joined the revolt. The Venetians were keen to negotiate a truce and c. 1299 Alexios Kallergis travelled to Venice to negotiate a truce. He made numerous demands to advance his family. One demand was, in order to reduce the powers of the existing "Archons", to take over their properties (fiefs), horses, etc. The Venetians liked the idea and agreed to it. The properties owned by the Archons were reduced in half. Only the properties of the Vlastos family were off limits. Some claim the Vlastos family was too powerful to be provoked. At the time, Demitrios Vlastos was the head of the family, he was the son of Ioannis. About 200 years later records show that only the Vlastoses still owned fiefs in Crete.
Another significant event was the revolt of Josef, "Sifis" Vlastos (born c. 1410 Rethymnon - executed by the Venetians in August 1454). He was the Leader of the Revolt, which had substantial local support as well as the backing and probably was financed by the Imperial families. Information about the revolt was sold to the Venetians, and all leaders and their families, including Josef’s family, were killed.
In the early 17th century, the Turks
invaded Crete from the west and many families, including the Vlastoses, fled Crete. A couple of Vlastos families stayed in Chios (c. 1630), others moved further North to Constantinople, Wallachia
and Moldavia
. Another escape route was by Kithira, Corfu
and Venice
.
Two hundred years later, Vlastoses were migrating again. Many Cretans migrated to Italy
, the United States, Ukraine
and Russia; from Chios migration was to Moldavia, Wallachia, Italy, France, England and the United States. Moldavia and Wallachia were very popular destinations for many Vlastoses, the majority migrated from Chios.
There were also some Vlastoses living on and off in Constantinople since 1100. In the 17th century, allegedly, the Vlastoses were involved like most Phanariots, in the fur trade. Furs were in great demand and the fur trade did bring privileges. One prominent Vlastos at the time, was Chrysoskoleos, and his house address is given as "Στο Φαναρι, τελος, στο Σταυροδρομι" (In Phanari, at the end, on the cross road). In the same street were the houses of many well known families of princesses of Wallachia and Moldavia. Chrysoskoleos was neither a Cretan nor from Chios.
Over the years, the Vlastos family produced many highly educated persons and scholars, in the fields of medicine, science, architecture, iconography, philosophy and also authors, journalists, hoteliers, army officers, and businessmen.
" and Vlastos was one of them. The Vlastos blazon
is: Gules, three plates 2 and 1 (Red, Three White Disks (forming a triangle), two on top, one at the bottom). Many Vlastoses own privately designed "Coats of Arms". One, almost 150 cm in diameter, is on display in the Byzantine History Museum of Heraklion
, Crete.
Georgii Vlastos, son of Konstantin, 1827 Moscow, Russia – 1899 Stavropol. Governor General of the Stavropol
Province (1865–1875).
Meletios Vlastos, son of Georgilas, born 1576 Rethymnon - c.1643. Well known preacher, scholar and teacher. In 1625, he was a priest at the church of the "Panagia Trimartyri" in Candia, Crete. Later he taught at the school of the Sinaitic Metochion of the St. Catherine's Monastery. Cyril Lucaris
(born 1572 in Candia, Crete) was one of his many famous pupils who later did become a Patriarch. In many Greek websites, Meletios is mentioned as a Patriarch; however, he was never a Patriarch.
Nikolas Vlastos, (Born c 1430 Rethymno, Crete, Greece - Died c 1500 Venice). He was officially "Factor and Administrator of the Notara Estate in Venice". There are numerous comments about his profession and what he did and did not do. The following Statement, (direct translation) may clear up few things. Re: Etymologicum Magnum
(Great Etymological Dictionary): "The great etymological dictionary completed by the grace of God in Venice, commissioned by the noble and excellent Nicholas Vlastos the Cretan; at the urging of the most radiant and wise Lady Anne, daughter of the most venerable and glorious Lord Loukas Notaras
, once Grand Duke of Constantinople; printed with care and skill for the learned by Zacharias Kalliergis the Cretan, and dedicated to Hellenic letters. 22 August 1499". It is clear, Nicholas Vlastos was financing the project on behalf of Anne Notaras and was neither the "Printer" nor the "designer". Nikolas was a first Cousin to Josef, "Sifis" Vlastos, leader of the 1454 revolt. In 1454, Nikolas, being a close relative of "Sifis", was imprisoned for a few years, and he was saved by the full support of the Notaras family, especially Anna Notaras
. (How did Lucas Notaras know Nikolaos Vlastos, a young person from Crete? How could he, one of the richest men in Constantinople, trust a stranger with his estate? Was he a relative?)
Egor Ivanovich Vlastov; (George, son of Ioannis, Vlastos) born c. 1769 in Rethymnon, Crete, Greece - died Jan 29 1837, Russia. He was one of the first group to graduate in 1790 from the Greek Cadets Corp, founded in 1775, by order of "Catherine II, The Great", Empress of Russia, in St-Petersburg, as a branch of Russia's 2nd Cadets Corp, with Count Alexei Orloff-Chesmenskiy the initiator of the new order. The cadets were children of noble Greek families or orphans (parents killed by the Turks) originating from mainland Greece and the islands. The children were transported to St.Petersburg by the fleet of Count Orloff and vice-admiral A. V. Elmanov. G-L E. I. Vlastov's name, as one of the Heroes of the Patriotic War 1812, is engraved on the Christ Savior Cathedral's walls In Moscow. Vlastov was decorated with the Order of St.Georgi y 3 class; of St. Anna 1 class; of St. Vladimir 2 class.
Today in Kniagevo, in the house where Vlastov lived, there is a school and its pupils carefully protect the tomb of the hero.
Caterina Vlastos, Born After 1605, was the first wife of the Prince Georgii, Patriarch of the Ghyka family. Her origin was either from Crete or from Constantinople. Chios is not an option; there were No Vlastos in Chios at that time.
Sevasti Callimachi was the mother of Maria Soutzo the mother of Sevasti Argyropoulos the mother of Thrassyvoulos Manos father of Petros Manos the father of Aspasia Manos Queen of Greece.
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
family, probably of Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
descent, with origins tracing back to 1st century Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. The family history has never been impartially studied and the first 1000 years are not well researched.
Today, there are about 400 Vlastos families around the world, half of them living in Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
. Less than 20 families live in Chios
Chios
Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
, less than 20 live in other parts of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, and less than 30 live in the rest of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. About 15 families live in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, 15 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and 8 in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
History
The Vlastos family re-appears in ConstantinopleConstantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
before the 11th century. There, they were well established, powerful and respected. Due to "faulty" translations (Vlastos means "offspring"), intermarriages with other known families are not known. For example, a person mentioned as Komnenovlastos is recognized as a Komnenos and not as a Komnenos x Vlastos offspring.
The Vlastoses were "warlords" (Condottieri
Condottieri
thumb|Depiction of [[Farinata degli Uberti]] by [[Andrea del Castagno]], showing a 15th century condottiero's typical attire.Condottieri were the mercenary soldier leaders of the professional, military free companies contracted by the Italian city-states and the Papacy, from the late Middle Ages...
), with a private army serving the needs of the Emperor of the day at a fee. They were also represented in the Senate.
In 1182, the Emperor Alexios II Komnenos
Komnenos
Komnenós or Comnenus was the name of a ruling family of the Eastern Roman Empire , who halted the political decline of the Empire from c.1081 to c.1185.-Origins:...
(1180–1183), ordered the resettlement of Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
. Some authors have used the date 1082. The text below clears this error. Only Alexis II was "Porphyrogenitos
Porphyrogenitos
Porphyrogénnētos, Latinized as Porphyrogenitus was an honorific title given to a son, or daughter , of a reigning emperor in the Byzantine Empire. However, not every imperial prince or princess was accorded this distinction...
". Further more, if Alexios I was the emperor at the time, his daughter Anna would have mentioned it in her account of her father's life and achievements, in her book The Alexiad. Another year mentioned is 1092, it is a fictitious number.
"Αλεξιος ο εν Χριστω βασιλευς και αυτοκρατωρ Ρωμαιων ο Κομνινος. Δια το απειρον και πλουσιον ελεος του επουρανιου θεου και σωτηρος ημων Ιησου Χριστου της αειπαρθενου Μαριας Θεοτοκου της μητρος αυτου και του παναγιου και ζωοποιου Πνευματος εγω ο επι γης κρατεος βασιλευς και αυτοκρατωρ Ρωμαιων θεια προνοια βασιλευς ολης της ηκουμενης, της θεοφρουρητου και πριφημου και κυριας πασων των πολεων της Κωνσταντινουπολεως πρωτος και κορυφαιος των ορθοδοξων Χριστιανων, των τιμωντων και πιστευοντων την ομοουσιον και προσκυνητην αγιαν τριαδα των ομολογουντων ενα θεον τρισυποστατον, των σεβοντων τα δογματα της αγιας και ηκουμενικης πρωτης συνοδου, συνοιθρησμενης και πληρουμενης υπο ενεργιαις, των αγιωτατων και φιλοχριστων βασιλεων ημων και ισαποστολων Κωνσταντινου και Ελενης και των λοιπων αγιων συνοδων Αλεξιος ο Κομνινος ο «πορφυρογεννητος» βασιλευς Κωνσταντινουπολεως, νεας Ρωμης και καθολικος διαδοχος των μακαριων βασιλ εων, του Ιορδανου και πασης Αιγυπτου, Αραβιας, Φρυγιας, Μεσοποταμιας, και παντος του Ευξεινου Ποντου, και εως τας Βρετανιας νησους, Ευροπης και πασης Αρμενιας, Κιλικιας, Ελλαδος και πασης της οικουμενης απο την ανατολην εως την δυσι..... etc. etc".
Alexios II ordered the 12 Condottiero families (Phokas, Skordylis, Kavadas, Kafatos, Archoleos, Chortatzis, Moussouros, Varouchas, Melissinos, Litinos, Argyropoulos, and Vlastos) to migrate and resettle the island of Crete. Fokas and Skordyllis were in charge. The purpose of the expedition: To increase the Christian population, defend the island from Arabs and pirates, and collect taxes. Allegedly, it took 850 ships to transport the 12 families, their soldiers and supplies and horses to Crete.
"Oι δε αρχοντες και στρατιωται Βλαστοι να εχουν και αυτοι ταις πρωταις τους μεριδαις εις ταις Μεσσαραις ως και πρωτον. Εχοντες οι ανω ειρημενοι αρχοντες και στρατιωται και λαμβανοντας τους ουτους των τοπους και επαρχιας μετα των διαδοχων αυτων δια της Δουκικης εξουσιας ημων απο τωρα και εμπροσθεν με τα μερη των την εξ αυτων παντοιαν λαμβανοντας προσοδον, κρατωντας και ποιουντας τους ορισμους του κρατεου και αγιου βασιλεως ημων, και των αυτων διαδοχων και της δουκικης εξουσιας, και ουδεις της εξ ημων εξουσιας να μην εναντιωθη ποτε εις τας αυτας καβαλαριας και τοπαρχιας αυτων των ειρημενων αρχοντων της ενδοξου ημων βασιλιειας, δια γαρ τουτο εγενετο το παρον γραμμα και εδοθη εις τους αυτους αρχοντες δι'ασφαλειαν παντων τωμ ανω αμην.
Signed: Κομνινος ο Μεγαλος Δουκας της νησου Κρητης και εξαδελφος του ενδοξου βασιλεος ημων διε της δουκικης εξουσιας εγραψα".
In charge of the Vlastos family was the Archon
Archon
Archon is a Greek word that means "ruler" or "lord", frequently used as the title of a specific public office. It is the masculine present participle of the verb stem ἀρχ-, meaning "to rule", derived from the same root as monarch, hierarchy, and anarchy.- Ancient Greece :In ancient Greece the...
and Senator (Εντιμος και ευγενης αρχων) Manousos (born c. 1160), son of Demetrius (born c. 1135), with his brothers Stefanos, Symeon, Ioannis, Prokopios, Marinos and Georgios. In Crete, although it was planned to settle in Messara
Messara
The Messara is a light riding and draft horse found on the island of Crete off the coast of Greece.-History:...
, the family settled to the south of Rethymnon, in the area known as Amari. The village Rustica, was associated with the Vlastos family.
22 years after the arrival of the 12 families, Constantinople fell into Latin hands and the Venetians bought Crete from the Latin Emperor. Soon the first Venetian soldiers arrived. Genoa was also keen to control Crete and later the Byzantine Emperors wanted to have Crete back. There was a new revolt every few years and the Vlastoses were practically involved in every one of those.
The history of the Vlastos family in Venetian Crete can be easily followed due to the excellent record keeping of the Venetians. Selected wills and other documents included in the saved protocols of the notaries working in Venetian Crete, kept in Venice, are being published every year in Latin or translated. The books are a good example.
In 1272, the brothers Chortatzis started a revolt against Venetian rule that lasted 30 years. The Cretans were getting stronger and winning. When it became clear that a win was possible, Alexios Kallergis joined the revolt. The Venetians were keen to negotiate a truce and c. 1299 Alexios Kallergis travelled to Venice to negotiate a truce. He made numerous demands to advance his family. One demand was, in order to reduce the powers of the existing "Archons", to take over their properties (fiefs), horses, etc. The Venetians liked the idea and agreed to it. The properties owned by the Archons were reduced in half. Only the properties of the Vlastos family were off limits. Some claim the Vlastos family was too powerful to be provoked. At the time, Demitrios Vlastos was the head of the family, he was the son of Ioannis. About 200 years later records show that only the Vlastoses still owned fiefs in Crete.
Another significant event was the revolt of Josef, "Sifis" Vlastos (born c. 1410 Rethymnon - executed by the Venetians in August 1454). He was the Leader of the Revolt, which had substantial local support as well as the backing and probably was financed by the Imperial families. Information about the revolt was sold to the Venetians, and all leaders and their families, including Josef’s family, were killed.
In the early 17th century, the Turks
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
invaded Crete from the west and many families, including the Vlastoses, fled Crete. A couple of Vlastos families stayed in Chios (c. 1630), others moved further North to Constantinople, Wallachia
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
and Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
. Another escape route was by Kithira, Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
and Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
.
Two hundred years later, Vlastoses were migrating again. Many Cretans migrated to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the United States, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
and Russia; from Chios migration was to Moldavia, Wallachia, Italy, France, England and the United States. Moldavia and Wallachia were very popular destinations for many Vlastoses, the majority migrated from Chios.
There were also some Vlastoses living on and off in Constantinople since 1100. In the 17th century, allegedly, the Vlastoses were involved like most Phanariots, in the fur trade. Furs were in great demand and the fur trade did bring privileges. One prominent Vlastos at the time, was Chrysoskoleos, and his house address is given as "Στο Φαναρι, τελος, στο Σταυροδρομι" (In Phanari, at the end, on the cross road). In the same street were the houses of many well known families of princesses of Wallachia and Moldavia. Chrysoskoleos was neither a Cretan nor from Chios.
Over the years, the Vlastos family produced many highly educated persons and scholars, in the fields of medicine, science, architecture, iconography, philosophy and also authors, journalists, hoteliers, army officers, and businessmen.
Heraldry
Only a handful of families outside the imperial families were permitted to have "Coat of ArmsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
" and Vlastos was one of them. The Vlastos blazon
Blazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image...
is: Gules, three plates 2 and 1 (Red, Three White Disks (forming a triangle), two on top, one at the bottom). Many Vlastoses own privately designed "Coats of Arms". One, almost 150 cm in diameter, is on display in the Byzantine History Museum of Heraklion
Heraklion
Heraklion, or Heraclion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is the 4th largest city in Greece....
, Crete.
Notable members
Some Vlastoses worth mentioning are:Georgii Vlastos, son of Konstantin, 1827 Moscow, Russia – 1899 Stavropol. Governor General of the Stavropol
Stavropol
-International relations:-Twin towns/sister cities:Stavropol is twinned with: Des Moines, United States Béziers, France Pazardzhik, Bulgaria-External links:* **...
Province (1865–1875).
Meletios Vlastos, son of Georgilas, born 1576 Rethymnon - c.1643. Well known preacher, scholar and teacher. In 1625, he was a priest at the church of the "Panagia Trimartyri" in Candia, Crete. Later he taught at the school of the Sinaitic Metochion of the St. Catherine's Monastery. Cyril Lucaris
Cyril Lucaris
Cyril Lucaris born Constantine Lukaris or Loucaris was a Greek prelate and theologian, and a native of Candia, Crete . He later became the Greek Patriarch of Alexandria as Cyril III and Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople as Cyril I...
(born 1572 in Candia, Crete) was one of his many famous pupils who later did become a Patriarch. In many Greek websites, Meletios is mentioned as a Patriarch; however, he was never a Patriarch.
Nikolas Vlastos, (Born c 1430 Rethymno, Crete, Greece - Died c 1500 Venice). He was officially "Factor and Administrator of the Notara Estate in Venice". There are numerous comments about his profession and what he did and did not do. The following Statement, (direct translation) may clear up few things. Re: Etymologicum Magnum
Etymologicum Magnum
Etymologicum Magnum is the traditional title of a Greek lexical encyclopedia compiled at Constantinople by an unknown lexicographer around 1150 AD. It is the largest Byzantine lexicon and draws on many earlier grammatical, lexical and rhetorical works...
(Great Etymological Dictionary): "The great etymological dictionary completed by the grace of God in Venice, commissioned by the noble and excellent Nicholas Vlastos the Cretan; at the urging of the most radiant and wise Lady Anne, daughter of the most venerable and glorious Lord Loukas Notaras
Loukas Notaras
Loukas Notaras was the last Megas Doux of the Byzantine Empire. This position had been expanded under the late Palaiologid emperors and functioned as an unofficial Prime Minister, overseeing the Imperial Bureaucracy in place of the Megas Logothetes who had previously...
, once Grand Duke of Constantinople; printed with care and skill for the learned by Zacharias Kalliergis the Cretan, and dedicated to Hellenic letters. 22 August 1499". It is clear, Nicholas Vlastos was financing the project on behalf of Anne Notaras and was neither the "Printer" nor the "designer". Nikolas was a first Cousin to Josef, "Sifis" Vlastos, leader of the 1454 revolt. In 1454, Nikolas, being a close relative of "Sifis", was imprisoned for a few years, and he was saved by the full support of the Notaras family, especially Anna Notaras
Anna Notaras
Anna Notaras was the daughter of Loukas Notaras, the last Megas Doux of the Byzantine Empire. She left Constantinople between 1440 and 1449 and went to Rome with her two sisters, so she avoided the fall of Constantinople and the massacre of her family...
. (How did Lucas Notaras know Nikolaos Vlastos, a young person from Crete? How could he, one of the richest men in Constantinople, trust a stranger with his estate? Was he a relative?)
Egor Ivanovich Vlastov; (George, son of Ioannis, Vlastos) born c. 1769 in Rethymnon, Crete, Greece - died Jan 29 1837, Russia. He was one of the first group to graduate in 1790 from the Greek Cadets Corp, founded in 1775, by order of "Catherine II, The Great", Empress of Russia, in St-Petersburg, as a branch of Russia's 2nd Cadets Corp, with Count Alexei Orloff-Chesmenskiy the initiator of the new order. The cadets were children of noble Greek families or orphans (parents killed by the Turks) originating from mainland Greece and the islands. The children were transported to St.Petersburg by the fleet of Count Orloff and vice-admiral A. V. Elmanov. G-L E. I. Vlastov's name, as one of the Heroes of the Patriotic War 1812, is engraved on the Christ Savior Cathedral's walls In Moscow. Vlastov was decorated with the Order of St.Georgi y 3 class; of St. Anna 1 class; of St. Vladimir 2 class.
Today in Kniagevo, in the house where Vlastov lived, there is a school and its pupils carefully protect the tomb of the hero.
Caterina Vlastos, Born After 1605, was the first wife of the Prince Georgii, Patriarch of the Ghyka family. Her origin was either from Crete or from Constantinople. Chios is not an option; there were No Vlastos in Chios at that time.
List of some Vlastos marriages
- Andronikos Vlastos married Mariora Ghyka, sister of Prince Grigori II Ghyka
- Statarul, "Arapaki" Vlastos married Smaragda Ghika, daughter of Grigori II Ghyka.
- Sigura Vlastos married Count Chrystoforo Kapnisis
- Maria Vlastos married the Great Logothete Constantino KantakouzenosKantakouzenosThe House of Kantakouzenos , latinized as Cantacuzenus and anglicized as Cantacuzene, was one of the most prominent noble families of the Byzantine Empire in the last centuries of its existence. The family was one of the Empire's wealthiest and provided several prominent governors and generals, as...
- Baron Gregory Vlastos married Princess Balasa Kantakouzenos
- Gregory Vlastos, married (first husband) Sevasti Callimachi daughter of Prince Ioan CallimachiIoan Teodor CallimachiIoan Teodor Callimachi was Prince of Moldavia from 1758 to 1761.-Early years:Ioan was the second son of Teodor Calmăşul. Teodor, born Calmăşul, changed the family name to Callimachi. Ioan's older brother, Gavriil Callimachi was a monk at Putna Monastery. Ioan pursued his studies at Lvov...
, Ancestress of Aspasia ManosAspasia ManosAspasia Manos , was a Greek commoner who became the wife of Alexander I, King of the Hellenes. Due to the controversy over her marriage, she was styled Princess of Greece and Denmark rather than Queen Aspasia of Greece.-Princess of Greece and Denmark:On 4 November 1919, at Tatoi, Aspasia Manos...
, Queen of Greece.
Sevasti Callimachi was the mother of Maria Soutzo the mother of Sevasti Argyropoulos the mother of Thrassyvoulos Manos father of Petros Manos the father of Aspasia Manos Queen of Greece.
- Cassandra Vlastos married Nikola CaradjaCaradjaCaradja, Karadja or Caragea is an aristocratic family of Byzantine and Phanariote Greek origins, present as dignitaries in the Ottoman Empire, and established as hospodars and boyars in the Danubian Principalities from the late 16th century...