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John III Doukas Vatatzes (r. 1221–1254) settled many Cumans in the Empire to strengthen the borders in Anatolia. They became Christian together with their leader Sytzigan, whose name was Hellenized to Syrgiannes ("master John") when he was baptized. 
His son or grandson Syrgiannes Palaiologos Philanthropenos (c. 1290 – 1334), whose mother was Eugenia Palaiologina, niece of Emperor Michael VIII became a Byzantine aristocrat and general. His sister, Theodora, also married Guy de Lusignan, later King of Armenian Cilicia.
This Syrgiannes was involved in the civil war between Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos & his grandson Andronikos III. Became governor of Macedonia and Megas Dux. Switched sides several times & ended up conquering much of Macedonia for the Serbian ruler Stefan Dušan.
Syrgiannes's ambition, inveterate plotting & multiple betrayals made him one of the darkest figures of the era. On 23 August 1334, Syrgiannes was lured away from camp & murdered by Sphrantzes Palaiologos, a Byz general defected on purpose to the Serbian camp a few days earlier.
