The princes of Theodoro were from Gavras or Gabras family. The origination of this dynasty was form Syria or Asia Minor. The first representatives of this family are known from the X-th century, and at that times the family was already considered as noble, and its members were representatives of Byzantine aristocracy.  Syria and Eastern part of Anatolia were the border regions of the Empire and the areas of endless battles with the Muslims. It was the place where in the atmosphere of passionary drive the formation of new aristocratic elite that played the leading role in the Byzantine Empire during the three centuries (from the X-th till the XIII-th century), began.

 

Первые Гаврасы. (X – XI века)

1. Константин (I) Гаврас – анатолийский повстанец, убит в 979 году. Участник восстания Варды Склира, которое охватило малоизатские провинции Византии, в частности Джаник и Мелитену. Погиб в битве с имперскими войсками. (Брайер, 174, Бартикян, 395).

Гаврасы на сельджукской и византийской службе 1140е-1305.

8. N Гаврас – Иоанн Киннам под 1146 годом упоминает некоего Гавраса, который «будучи ромеем по происхождению, воспитывался и вырос у персов (т.е. сельджуков) и в данное время стал правителей сатрапии». Бартикян предполагает, что он был вероотступником, поскольку византийцы, взяв его в плен, обезглавили. Его детьми по Брайеру могут быть №12 или №13. (Брайер 179-180, Бартикян, 401).

TRANSLATED FROM THE BYZANTINE AND TAKEN FROM THE GREAT SYNAXARIUM

BY DESCENDANT  CONSTANTINE J. GAVRAS

The glorious Great Martyr and brave athlete of the Lord, Theodore Gavras, was born in the XI-th century in a rural town of the theme* of Chaldia called Atra, from pious and illustrious parents, who bestowed upon him the same piety and glory. They had great wealth, glory and and many dignities, titles and privileges. They were the supreme rulers of the Eastern Lands*; of places like Chaldia and Coloneia and with lands bordering these areas.