Successively Colonel Bashars of the Sardaukar, Dukes of Eluzai, Emperors of the known universe, Counts of Hirtius Lords Tupelo, Dukes Chamizai, Barons Saugus, Smdar-Counts of Touro, Barons Plymmon, and Sindar-Barons of Arrakis, distaff titles include Lords Rabban, Counts of Lankiveil, Barons Rautha, Lords Feyd, and Lords Monulla The Harkonnens claim descent from Count Palatgo Comno, grandfather of Sheuset I, founder and first ruler of the empire, according to their traditions, Sheuset's father, Count Costin, was a denubrotfaer of Hartconnen Qtoeshev, the first Harkonnen mea&oBed in historical records, this claim has not been proved, however Some historians claim that Obeshev was actually the son of a trashman who seduced one of Costin's daughters or sisters The Harkonnens further claim common an cestry with the Cotnnos in the Palaiologoi, the last ruling house of die Byzantine Empire, via Constantiae XI's youager brother, Thomas Palaiologos Finally, through Harkonnen Obeshev's wife, Lasia Pozzo di Borgo, this family claims descent from Kinl* Romanov, cousin to Nifcoiai II, Russia's last tsar, and heir to his empty throne As with many of the Great Houses, the Harkonaeos' fortunes rose and fell many tunes over the centuries Obeshev's son Abuhird Harkonnen, a Colonel Bashar in the Sardaukar, was given command over one of the five fleets thai constituted Sheuset I's mam force at the key Battle of Comn, in 88 B G When it appeared that the battle was going against Sheuset, Harkonnen withdrew his fleet to a rearguard position, awaiting the outcome, only the timely intervention of Demetrios Atreides provided the impetus that won the day for Sheuset, resulting m the establishment of the empire Because of Harkonnen s close relationship with the now royal family, he was spared execution, however, he and his family were banished from the Impenum indefinitely Abulurd Harkonnen blamed Demetnos Atreides for his disgrace, and vowed vengeance for himself and for his house Abuiurd's demibrother. Ivan Harkonnen, was spared the family's disgrace through his selfless act of courage in giving his life to save those he commanded, his son, Nikolai Harkonnen, was created Duke of Eluzai in 82 B G , and awarded several lucrative wine monopolies Nikolai s descendant, Saudir Harkonnen, usurped the throne from the Regent Henli al-Qair in 388, becoming Saudir in, he was himself overthrown and murdered in a palace revolt by the Sardaukar who rescued the blinded ex-emperor Wallach I, from his pnson cell, and restored him to his former position Saudir's family was butchered by the rampaging guards, who raped and then strangled his widow, battered three of his children against the walls of his bedroom, and even killed his pet birds One son, Duke Saudir E, escaped the carnage Saudir had made Abulurd's descendant Yevgeny Har konnen the Cuunt of Hirtius, returning him to civilized space, and giving him a small estate on th