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Birth:          ABT 1040 
Death:          ABT 1102 
Cause of Death: executed

Notes
first served the Eastern Emperor, then the Sultan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphia_of_Melitene
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_of_Melitene
Gabriel of Melitene (died 1102/3[1]) was the ruler of Melitene (modern Malatya). Along 
with Thoros of Edessa, Gabriel was a former officer of Philaretos Brachamios. 
Philaretos had installed Gabriel as the ruler of Melitene. Following the death of 
Philaretos in 1086 Melitene became completely independent of Byzantine control with 
the aid of the Danishmends. Eventually the Danishmends began harassing Melitene. 
Gabriel appealed to Bohemund I of Antioch for assistance.

In 1100 Bohemund came to Gabriel's aid along with his cousin Richard of Salerno and 
the Armenian Bishops of Marash and Antioch, but they were both captured and the 
Bishops slain by Malik Ghazi Gumushtekin, the Danishmend Emir of Sebastea, in the 
Battle of Melitene. Malik was now constantly raiding Gabriel's territories. Fearing an 
imminent attack on the city itself, Gabriel asked for help from Baldwin of Boulogne 
who had recently become King of Jerusalem, despite concerns that Baldwin might take 
over Melitene, as he did Edessa. Baldwin relieved the siege of Melitene and rescued 
Bohemund after which Gabriel recognized him as overlord of the city.

Some sources state that Gabriel's wife was a daughter of Constantine I, Prince of 
Armenia; however, the dates simply do not allow for it. The confusion appears to stem 
from identifying Thoros I, son of Constantine with Thoros of Edessa, the latter of whom 
Gabriel is attested as being the father-in-law.[citation needed] Gabriel must have had 
some connection to the Greek culture, either via his mother or wife and, if that 
connection was to the family of Constantine I, it was most likely further back. His wife 
may have been a daughter of Constantine's father Roupen, for example; or she may 
have been a daughter of Philaretos, the general under whom Gabriel served, but this 
is only speculation. In any case, he was presumably known by his contemporaries and 
subjects to be descended from a prominent family that was acceptable to both the 
Greeks and to the Armenians, which could suggest a mixed heritage. Gabriel was 
disliked by a number of his subjects for his Orthodox faith

In 1101 Baldwin of Bourcq married Gabriel's daughter Morphia of Melitene, who later 
became Queen of Jerusalem. Gabriel, who was reputedly very wealthy, gave 50,000 
gold bezants as a dowry. William of Tyre described Gabriel as Greek by religion, 
Armenian by race, language and custom. Byzantine seals bearing his name testify him 
as Gabriel, protonobelissimos and doux of Melitene.

Beginning in 1103, the Danishmends again attacked Melitene. Gabriel asked the 
Crusaders for support, but they did not send help because they were negotiating with 
the Danishmends Emir at this time about the release Bohemond. Melitene was 
conquered and Gabriel was captured. One of Gabriel's castles resisted the Turks. 
Gabriel was forced to give the crew of the castle the order to surrender. However, the 
garrison disobeyed his orders, and he was executed by soldiers of the sultan under the 
walls of the castle


Marriage To ----- ----- ()
    m.  

Notes


Children by ----- ----- 
OF MELITENE Morphia (Malfia) (ABT 1080 - ABT 1127)

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