Cantacuzino family

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The sarcophagus of Princess Bălaşa Cantacuzino, kept in the National Museum of Romanian History

The Cantacuzino (Cantacuzène) family has its origins in the Byzantine Empire. Its most illustrious member was emperor John VI Kantakouzenos. The family's roots in the Byzantine Empire are well documented.^[1]^{[verification needed]}

1 Byzantine family
2 Branches after the Byzantine Period
3 Notable members
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Byzantine family

The origin of the Byzantine family Kantakouzenos can be traced back to Smyrna. The name allegedly originates in a corruption of the Greek language phrase identifying their estates on a mountain just outside of Smyrna.

Anna Komnena recorded that a General Na. Cantacuzino led Byzantine troops at the siege of Antioch during the First Crusade.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Branches after the Byzantine Period

Cantacuzino Palace in Bucharest

The family is currently divided into several branches: the Greek branch, which was downgraded to the level of peasantry during the Ottoman period, the Romanian (Wallachian and Moldavian) branches and the Russian branch (which is an offshoot of the Moldavian branch). As a consequence of the Russian Revolution and the Soviet occupation of Romania after World War II, the last two branches now mostly live in Western Europe and North America.^[1]^{[verification needed]}