Arias Menéndez (Arias MendesinPortuguese, Arias MenendizinGalician; died after June 924)[1] was the son of Hermenegildo Gutiérrez and Ermesenda Gatónez, daughter of count Gatón of Bierzo,[2][3] Count of Astorga and Egilona. He supported the cause of King Alfonso III of Asturias and, as compensation for his loyalty, in 911 he was elected Count of Coimbra, which was repopulated by his father. Years later, he was appointed, along with his brother Gutierre Menéndez, Count of Caldelas and also of Refojos de Leça.[4]
With his brother Guterre, he brought monks to restore the monastery of Samos in Galicia and, from that moment, a prosperous relationship began between the comital family and the monastery.[4]
He married Ermesenda Gundesíndez,[5] daughter of Gudensindo Ériz (son of Ero Fernández) and Enderquina Menéndez, daughter of Hermenegildo Gutiérrez, thus being his niece. From this marriage the following children were born:
