The Principality of Gjirokaster ( 1386 - 1418 ) is a medieval state on the territory of Albania. It was created in 1386 by Gyon Zenebisi and covered the area around the castle of Gjirokaster (modern South Albania ). The Principality was conquered by the Turks in 1414 , but Gyon Zenebisi was able to rally the local population and restore its power. In 1418, the Ottoman Turks finally conquered the principality.
| Historical State | |
| Principality of Gjirokaster | |
|---|---|
| Principata e Gjirokastrës | |
←   →1386 - 1418 | |
| Capital | Gyrocaster |
| Languages) | Albanian , Greek |
| Religion | Orthodoxy |
| Form of government | principality |
Content
Creation
In 1380, Gyon Zenebisi was appointed sevastocrat [by whom? ] and prefect in the area of Thesprotia , near Delvina . He was also the ruler in the castles of Pirgo and Sayad. After the first invasion of the Turks, John Zenevivisi recognized himself as a vassal of Sultan Murad I , and left him his son as a hostage . His son converted to Islam and became known as Hamza Bey, who became one of the Ottoman military leaders. Shortly after the victory of the Turks at the Battle of Savre in 1385, Gyon Zenebisi rebelled and captured the fortress of Gjirokaster. In 1386, he officially accepted the title of Prince Gjirokaster.
Rivalry with the Art Despotism
Gyon Zenebisi married the daughter of Gin Bois Spat , despot Arty (1374–1399).
In April 1399, Esau de Buondelmonti , king of Epirus ( 1385 - 1411 ), another son-in-law of Gin Bois Spati, with the support of some Albanian princes, opposed Gyon Zenebisi. Esau’s army was defeated, and he himself was captured. Gyon Zenebisi subjugated most of Esau's possession of Epirus to his power. In 1400, after the Florentines paid a large ransom, Gyon Zenebisi freed Esau from captivity.
In 1412, Gyon Zenebishi, together with the despot of Arty Murik Shpat, defeated the army of Tsar Epirus Carlo I Tokko , who, with the help of the Greeks, captured Ioannina several months ago. Despite the victory, the Allies could not take Ioannina.
Turkish invasion and conquest
In 1414, Gyon Zenebisi was defeated by the Ottomans, lost his principality and fled to the island of Corfu , which belonged to the Venetians. Two years later, he was called back by rebellious hill tribes. With the support of the Venetians, he regained Gjirokaster , but died on Corfu in 1418 . In the same year, the Ottoman Turks, after a long siege, took Gjirokaster. His son Depe Znebisi fled to Corfu . In 1434, he returned to the mainland and besieged Gjirokaster, but was killed in the battle with the Ottoman Turks in 1435 .
Sources
- Fine, John Van Antwerp (1994), The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, University of Michigan Press, ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5
- History of Albanian People. Albanian Academy of Science. ISBN 99927-1-623-1