Abessalon 2 was a tzangotoubos (τόν τε τζαγγότουβον τὸν Ἀβεσαλὼμ) (sic); when the Roman army under the emperor Michael III (Michael 11) was routed during the siege of Samosata, Abessalon 2 was one of the senior officers taken captive; he was held by Karbeas 1 who allowed him to go after the payment of a ransom; he allegedly admitted under questioning that he was troubled by erotic desires, which Karbeas 1 interpreted as a sign that God wanted him to be released (see also Seon 1): Theoph. Cont. IV 23 (pp. 176-177). The nature of his office is not certain, but was perhaps a ceremonial post connected with the emperor's purple boots (cf. ODB III, p. 2135, s.v. Tzangion).

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