Misplaced Pages

Skanderbeg: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 04:08, 2 January 2004 view source61.44.95.14 (talk) +et:, ja:← Previous edit Revision as of 13:54, 22 March 2004 view source 141.85.0.66 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
<div style="float: right">]</div> <div style="float: right">]</div>


'''Gjergj''' (Albanian: '''George''') '''Kastrioti''' (]-]) was born in ], ] from Gjon Kastrioti, lord of Middle Albania, who was obliged by the ] to pay tribute to the Empire. To assure the fidelity of local rulers the Sultan used to take their sons as hostage and bring them up in his court. In ], Gjergj Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken by the Turks. He attended military school in the Ottoman Empire and was named given the title ''Iskander Bey'' (] ]: ''Skënderbeu''). In Turkish this title means Lord or Prince Alexander (in honor of ]) and was given to him after repeated military victories for the Empire. '''Gjergj''' (Albanian for '''George''') '''Kastrioti''' (]-]) was born in ], ] from Gjon Kastrioti, lord of Middle Albania, who was obliged by the ] to pay tribute to the Empire. To assure the fidelity of local rulers the Sultan used to take their sons as hostages and bring them up in his court. In ], Gjergj Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken by the Turks. He attended military school in the Ottoman Empire and was named given the title ''Iskander Bey'' (] ]: ''Skënderbeu''). In Turkish this title means Lord or Prince Alexander (in honor of ]) and was given to him after repeated military victories for the Empire.


==Success in the Ottoman army== ==Success in the Ottoman army==


He was distinguished as one of the best officers in several Ottoman campaigns both in Asia Minor and in Europe, and the Sultan appointed him General. He even fought against ], ] and ], and some sources says that he used to maintain secret links with ], ], ] of ] and ] of ]. Sultan ] gave him the title Vali that made him the General Governor of some provinces in central Albania. He was respected everywhere but he missed his country. After his father died and his brothers were poisoned, Skanderbeg was looking for a way to return to Albania and lead his countrymen against the Ottoman armies. He was distinguished as one of the best officers in several Ottoman campaigns both in Asia Minor and in Europe, and the Sultan appointed him General. He even fought against ], ] and ], and some sources claim that he used to maintain secret links with ], ], ] of ] and ] of ]. Sultan ] gave him the title Vali that made him the General Governor of some provinces in central Albania. He was respected everywhere but he missed his country. After his father died and his brothers were poisoned, Skanderbeg was looking for a way to return to Albania and lead his countrymen against the Ottoman armies.


==Fighting for the freedom of Albania== ==Fighting for the freedom of Albania==


In ], Skanderbeg saw his opportunity during the battle against the Hungarians led by ] in ] (in present day Serbia). Along with other Albanians serving in the Ottoman army, he switched sides and captured Kruje, his father's seat in middle Albania. Above the castle he rose the ], a red flag with the black double-headed eagle, the present-day Albanian flag, and pronounced to his countrymen the famous words: "I have not brought you liberty, I found it here, among you". He managed to unite all Albanian princes at the town of ] (see ], ]) and united them under his command to fight against the Ottoman. He maintained a guerilla war against the opposing armies by using the mountainous terrain to his advantage. In ], Skanderbeg saw his opportunity during the battle against the Hungarians led by ] in ] (in present day Serbia). He switched sides along with other Albanians serving in the Ottoman army. He eventually captured Kruje, his father's seat in Middle Albania. Above the castle he rose the ], a red flag with a black double-headed eagle, and pronounced the words: "I have not brought you liberty, I found it here, among you." He managed to unite all Albanian princes at the town of ] (see ], ]) and united them under his command to fight against the Ottomans. He fought a guerilla war against the opposing armies by using the mountainous terrain to his advantage.


During the next 25 years he fought, with forces rarely exceeding 20,000 against the most powerful army of that time and defeated it for 25 years. In ] the Ottoman army was led by the Sultan Murad II in person, who died after his defeat on the way back. Two other times, in ] and ], ], the conqueror of ], led the Ottoman army himself against Skanderbeg and failed too. The Ottoman Empire attempted to conquer Kruje 24 times and failed all 24 of them. In ], Mehmed II acknowledged him by a temporary truce as lord of Albania. During the next 25 years, with forces rarely exceeding 20,000, he fought against the most powerful army of the time. In ] the Ottoman army was led by the Sultan Murad II in person, who died after his defeat on the way back. On two other occasions, in ] and ], ], the conqueror of ], led the Ottoman army himself against Skanderbeg and failed to defeat him. The Ottoman Empire attempted to conquer Kruje 24 times and failed each time. In ], Mehmed II acknowledged him by a temporary truce as lord of Albania.


==Papal Relations== ==Papal Relations==
Line 18: Line 18:
<center><small>Portrait of Skanderbeg</small></center></div> <center><small>Portrait of Skanderbeg</small></center></div>


Skanderbeg's military successes evoked a good deal of interest and admiration of the ], Venice and Naples, themselves threatened by the growing Ottoman power across the ]. The Albanian warrior played his hand with a good deal of political and diplomatic skill in his dealings with the three Italian states. Hoping to strengthen and expand the last Christian bridgehead in the Balkans, they provided Skenderbeg with money, supplies and occasionally with troops. One of his most powerful and consistent supporters was ], the Aragone king of Naples, who decided to take Skanderbeg under his protection as vassal in ], shortly after the latter had scored his second victory against Murad II. In addition to financial assistance, the King of Naples undertook to supply the Albanian leader with troops, military equipment as well as with sanctuary for himself and his family if such a need should arise. As an active defender of the Christian cause in the Balkans, Skanderbeg was also closely involved with the politics of four Popes, one of them being ], the Renaissance humanist, writer and diplomat. Skanderbeg's military successes evoked a good deal of interest and admiration from the ], Venice and Naples, themselves threatened by the growing Ottoman power across the ]. Skanderbeg played his hand with a good deal of political and diplomatic skill in his dealings with the three Italian states. Hoping to strengthen and expand Skanderbeg's state, they provided him with money, supplies and occasionally troops. One of his most powerful and consistent supporters was ], the Aragone king of Naples, who decided to take Skanderbeg under his protection as vassal in ], shortly after the latter had scored his second victory against Murad II. In addition to financial assistance, the King of Naples undertook to supply the Albanian leader with troops, military equipment as well as with sanctuary for himself and his family if such a need should arise. As an active defender of the Christian cause in the Balkans, Skanderbeg was also closely involved with the politics of four Popes, one of them being ], the Renaissance humanist, writer and diplomat.




Profoundly shaken by the fall of Constantinople in ], Pius II tried to organize a new crusade against the Turks; consequently he did his best to come to Skanderbeg's aid, as two of his predecessors ] and ], had done before him. This policy was continued by his successor, ]. They gave him the title ]. Profoundly shaken by the fall of Constantinople in ], Pius II tried to organize a new crusade against the Turks; consequently he did his best to come to Skanderbeg's aid, as his predecessors ] and ] had done before him. This policy was continued by his successor, ]. They gave him the title '']''.


For a quarter of a century he and his country prevented Turks from invading Catholic Western Europe. For a quarter of a century he and his country prevented the Turks from invading the Italian Peninsula.


==Gjergj Kastriot's Legacy== ==Gjergj Kastriot's Legacy==


After his death from natural causes in ] in Lezhe, his soldiers resisted the Turks for the next 12 years. In ] Albania was finally conquered by the Ottoman Empire. When the Turks found the grave of Skanderbeg in Saint Nicholas church of Lezhe, they opened it and held his bones like talismans for luck. In 1480 the Turks invaded Italy and conquered the City of ]. After his death from natural causes in ] in Lezhe, his soldiers resisted the Turks for the next 12 years. In ] Albania was finally conquered by the Ottoman Empire. When the Turks found the grave of Skanderbeg in Saint Nicholas church of Lezhe, they opened it and held his bones like talismans for luck. The same year, they invaded Italy and conquered the city of ].


<div style="float: right">]</div> <div style="float: right">]</div>


Skanderbeg's posthumous renown was by no means confined to his own country. Voltaire thought the Byzantine Empire would have survived had it possessed a leader of his quality. A number of poets and composers have also drawn inspiration from his military career. The French sixteenth-century poet ] wrote a poem about him and so did the nineteenth-century American poet ]. ], too, composed an opera entitled ''Scanderbeg''. Skanderbeg's posthumous game was not confined to his own country. Voltaire thought the Byzantine Empire would have survived had it possessed a leader of his quality. A number of poets and composers have also drawn inspiration from his military career. The French sixteenth-century poet ] wrote a poem about him, as did the nineteenth-century American poet ]. ] composed an opera entitled ''Scanderbeg''.


Skanderbeg today is the National Hero of Albania. Many museums and monuments are raised in his honor around Albania, and among them the ] in his famous castle in Kruje. Skanderbeg today is the National Hero of Albania. Many museums and monuments are raised in his honor around Albania, among them the Museum of Skanderbeg in his castle in Kruje.


==Sources== ==Sources==

Revision as of 13:54, 22 March 2004

File:Skanderbeg sculpture.jpg

Gjergj (Albanian for George) Kastrioti (1405-1468) was born in Krujë, Albania from Gjon Kastrioti, lord of Middle Albania, who was obliged by the Ottomans to pay tribute to the Empire. To assure the fidelity of local rulers the Sultan used to take their sons as hostages and bring them up in his court. In 1423, Gjergj Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken by the Turks. He attended military school in the Ottoman Empire and was named given the title Iskander Bey (Albanian transliteration: Skënderbeu). In Turkish this title means Lord or Prince Alexander (in honor of Alexander the Great) and was given to him after repeated military victories for the Empire.

Success in the Ottoman army

He was distinguished as one of the best officers in several Ottoman campaigns both in Asia Minor and in Europe, and the Sultan appointed him General. He even fought against Greeks, Serbs and Hungarians, and some sources claim that he used to maintain secret links with Ragusa, Venice, Ladislaus I of Hungary and Alfonso I of Naples. Sultan Murad II gave him the title Vali that made him the General Governor of some provinces in central Albania. He was respected everywhere but he missed his country. After his father died and his brothers were poisoned, Skanderbeg was looking for a way to return to Albania and lead his countrymen against the Ottoman armies.

Fighting for the freedom of Albania

In 1443, Skanderbeg saw his opportunity during the battle against the Hungarians led by John Hunyadi in Nis (in present day Serbia). He switched sides along with other Albanians serving in the Ottoman army. He eventually captured Kruje, his father's seat in Middle Albania. Above the castle he rose the Albanian flag, a red flag with a black double-headed eagle, and pronounced the words: "I have not brought you liberty, I found it here, among you." He managed to unite all Albanian princes at the town of Lezhë (see League of Lezha, 1444) and united them under his command to fight against the Ottomans. He fought a guerilla war against the opposing armies by using the mountainous terrain to his advantage.

During the next 25 years, with forces rarely exceeding 20,000, he fought against the most powerful army of the time. In 1450 the Ottoman army was led by the Sultan Murad II in person, who died after his defeat on the way back. On two other occasions, in 1466 and 1467, Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, led the Ottoman army himself against Skanderbeg and failed to defeat him. The Ottoman Empire attempted to conquer Kruje 24 times and failed each time. In 1461, Mehmed II acknowledged him by a temporary truce as lord of Albania.

Papal Relations

File:Scanderbeg portrait painting.jpg
Portrait of Skanderbeg

Skanderbeg's military successes evoked a good deal of interest and admiration from the Papal States, Venice and Naples, themselves threatened by the growing Ottoman power across the Adriatic Sea. Skanderbeg played his hand with a good deal of political and diplomatic skill in his dealings with the three Italian states. Hoping to strengthen and expand Skanderbeg's state, they provided him with money, supplies and occasionally troops. One of his most powerful and consistent supporters was Alfonso the Magnanimous, the Aragone king of Naples, who decided to take Skanderbeg under his protection as vassal in 1451, shortly after the latter had scored his second victory against Murad II. In addition to financial assistance, the King of Naples undertook to supply the Albanian leader with troops, military equipment as well as with sanctuary for himself and his family if such a need should arise. As an active defender of the Christian cause in the Balkans, Skanderbeg was also closely involved with the politics of four Popes, one of them being Pope Pius II, the Renaissance humanist, writer and diplomat.


Profoundly shaken by the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Pius II tried to organize a new crusade against the Turks; consequently he did his best to come to Skanderbeg's aid, as his predecessors Pope Nicholas V and Pope Calixtus III had done before him. This policy was continued by his successor, Pope Paul II. They gave him the title Athleta Christi.

For a quarter of a century he and his country prevented the Turks from invading the Italian Peninsula.

Gjergj Kastriot's Legacy

After his death from natural causes in 1468 in Lezhe, his soldiers resisted the Turks for the next 12 years. In 1480 Albania was finally conquered by the Ottoman Empire. When the Turks found the grave of Skanderbeg in Saint Nicholas church of Lezhe, they opened it and held his bones like talismans for luck. The same year, they invaded Italy and conquered the city of Otranto.

Skanderbeg's posthumous game was not confined to his own country. Voltaire thought the Byzantine Empire would have survived had it possessed a leader of his quality. A number of poets and composers have also drawn inspiration from his military career. The French sixteenth-century poet Ronsard wrote a poem about him, as did the nineteenth-century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Antonio Vivaldi composed an opera entitled Scanderbeg.

Skanderbeg today is the National Hero of Albania. Many museums and monuments are raised in his honor around Albania, among them the Museum of Skanderbeg in his castle in Kruje.

Sources

Adapted from Fan S. Noli's biography George Castrioti Scanderbeg and the 1911 Encyclopedia.

See Also