Gjergj Arianit Komneni
Encyclopedia
Gjergj Arianiti was an important Albanian hero and the great uncle of Moisi Arianit Golemi
. He was also the father of Gjergj Kastrioti's wife Marina Donika (Donika). He shared a distant relation from his great grandmother with the famous Byzantine
Komnenos dynasty, originating in Paphlagonia
, Asia Minor. He was thus often referred to as Gjergj Arianit Komneni.
is written Gjorg Golem Arianiti. He is also known as Gjergj Golemi. There has also been found a document that refers to him as "Golemi Arenit Comninovich de Albania". Another rare form of the name (Harianites) is used in a document of the Kingdom of France of the Charles VII
era.
Writings of his figure are not very common. He is more commonly referred to as the father of Donika Kastrioti
, Skanderbeg's wife, rather than a leader of a rebellion that held back the Ottoman armies for years.
He was a member of the Arianiti family
that ruled large areas in Albania
and neighbouring areas from the 11th to the 16th century. In 1253, Byzantine chronicles mention a Gulem who ruled the lands of Albanon. Gulemi may be an ascendant of Gjergj Arianiti. Gulemi married a cousin of the Byzantine empress, Irene. From this marriage came the name Komneni.
Gjergj was the oldest of three sons. He married Maria Muzaka, and from this he acquired a territory from Mallakastra to Vlorë
. His territories eventually reached northwards to Dibër
. The center of his dominions were located between Librazhd
and Elbasan
.
With the death of his first wife, Gjergj married Pietrina Francone, an Italian aristocrat. His two wives bore him ten children, three of which were boys.
The first was called Lady Andronica (also known as Donika), the second Lady Voisava, the third Lady Chiranna, the fourth Lady Helena, the fifth Lady Despina, the sixth Lady Angelina, the seventh Lady Comita and the eighth Lady Catherine.
The first daughter, Lady Andronica, was married to Lord Scanderbeg Castriota, who was Lord of Dibra, Mat
and Kruja down to the sea, and of Deberina, also called Randesio (Renc?), and of the province of Guonimi (Gjonëm).
This Lady Andronica and Lord Scanderbeg gave birth to Lord John Castriot II
who was Duke of Saint Pietro in Galatina. Lord John Castriot II was married to the lady Donna Irina Palaeologus, who was the daughter of Lord Lazar, Despot of Serbia. They had many children who died. Only two of them survived: a boy and a girl, Don Prince Ferdinand Castriota who is Duke of Saint Peter, and a girl called Donna Maria Castriota.
The second daughter called Donna Voisava was married to Lord John Cernovichi (Cernojevic), Lord of Montenegro and Zeta, and they had two sons. The first one was called Lord George and the second one was Lord Scanderbeg.
Lord George married and had two sons. The first one was called Lord Solomon, the second Lord Constantine, as well as three daughters. Two of the latter married in Hungary and the third one in Venice. The said Solomon died and Constantine married in Venice.
The second son, the said Lord Scanderbeg, turned Turk and now rules the land of his brother, which was given to him by the sultan for his having turned Turk.
The third daughter, Lady Chiranna, was married to Lord Nicholas Dukagjini. She was the only daughter among brothers, and gave birth herself to two sons. One died and the other turned Turk and became a pasha and a great commander of the sultan.
The fourth daughter, Lady Helena, was married to Lord George Dukagjini, to whom many children were born and all turned Turk. One called Scanderbeg is still alive and is a sanjak bey.
The fifth daughter, Lady Despina, was married to Lord Tanush Dukagjini. They had two children: a boy and a girl. The boy died. The girl, Lady Theodora, was married to [...] and had two sons, Lord Blaise and Lord Jacob.
The sixth daughter, Lady Angelina, was married to Lord Stephen, son of the Despot of Serbia called Lord George. The said Lady Angelina and Lord Stephen had two sons and one daughter. The sons died. The daughter was called Lady Maria and married the lord Marquis of Monferrato. They had two sons. The first one was called Lord William who married the sister of Monsignor d'Alençon, who is now the dauphin of France. This nobleman had two children: a boy and a girl. The boy is now the Marquis of Monferrato and the girl married Lord Frederick, Duke of Mantua. The other brother, Lord George, died without children.
The seventh daughter, Lady Comita, married Lord Gojko Balsha who is Lord of Misia. They had two sons and one daughter. The sons died in Hungary. The daughter, Lady Maria, married the nobleman, Count of Muro, and had two daughters. The latter were called Donna Beatrice and Donna Isabel. The first lady, Donna Beatrice, married Prince Ferdinand Orsino, Duke of Gravina, and the other one, Princess Isabel, married Lord Louis of Gesualdo, Count of Conza.
The eighth daughter was Lady Catherine who was married to Nicholas Boccali. They had two sons, Lord Manoli and Lord Constantine Boccali, and two daughters. Now let us turn to the five brothers who are as follows: Lord Andrew Musachi, Lord Materango, Lord Blaise, Lord Bogdan and Lord Laldi.
In the spring of 1432, after the first phase of the reforms ended, an Albanian revolt erupted which spread to much of Albania. The first revolts began in central Albania. The Albanians called on Gjergj Arianit - who was thirty six years old- to lead the revolt.
Gjergj was at first apprehensive, but saw an opportunity to save the dominions left to him by his father. Upon hearing of the rebellions, many political enemies of Gjergj, who had become sipahis returned from Edirne
to Albania. Upon reaching Albania, Gjergj immediately banished them. He was to lead the soldiers rebellion, which came from the peasant masses. Durrës
, the area of Tirana controlled Andrea Topia, and Nikoll Dukagjin in the North joined the revolt.
Although Skanderbeg
was summoned home by his relatives when Gjergj Arianiti with other chiefs from region between Vlorë
and Shkodër
organized rebellion, he did nothing remaining loyal to the sultan. The Porte responded by sending an army of fresh troops in Albania under experienced commanders. Danja in northern Albania fell, while the Topias were returned to their former state. After a strong counterattack by Arianiti, the Ottomans were soon defeated.
This victory strengthened the revolt in southern Albania, especially in Kurvelesh. Murad II
headed for Albania and chose to camp at Serez in Macedonia. From here, he sent out a force of ten thousand into Albania under Ali Beg
. The army of Ali Beg, in the winter of 1432-1433, went through the tight valleys of the Shkumbin
; near Buzurshekut (Bërzeshtës), the Albanians ambushed the Ottoman army. Arianiti observed and maneuvered against the Turks while also encouraging his men, eventually leading to an Ottoman rout. This victory further strengthened the Albanian cause and gave hope to the Europeans who feared a major Ottoman invasion.
The Byzantine chronicler, Chalcondyles, wrote: "In this battle, Arianit Komneni won a glorious victory."
Arianit used the classic tactic of "Pulling the enemy in, preparing the trap and striking suddenly." Arianiti also destroyed a second army sent by Ali Beg, leaving hundreds dead in the valleys of Kuç all the way to Borsh. The failure of the second Ottoman expedition became known throughout Europe, which was used to hearing about Christian defeats in the East. The joyful states of Europe - Pope Eugene IV, Alfonso V
, Emperor Sigsimund
, Venice
and Ragusa
- promised aid. In his third battle (1434), in order to recapture Vlorë and Kanina, Arianiti used numbers, expediency and his tactics. Arianiti was known as the "protector of freedom" throughout the European kingdoms. During the Ottoman campaigns of 1435 and 1436 Ali Beg
, together with Turakhan Beg, effected a partial submission of the Albanians led by George Arianiti.
During the fall of 1443 and the winter of 1444 Arianiti led an army deep into Macedonia. During the same time, the Turks were routed at Nish
and Skanderbeg
deserted the Ottoman army and began another rebellion. Skanderbeg eventually allied with Gjergj Arianit through the League of Lezhë
.
When Krujë was besieged by the Turks, the sixty seven year old Gjergj Arianiti fought fiercely against the Turks. Arianiti, along with 3,000 warriors, joined the anti-Venetian force which eventually defeated the Venetian army at Drin. He was one of the main commanders during the short siege of Durrës and the siege of Dagno. Some of his troops went as far as the gates of Shkodër
. Thus, his interests were not harmed by Venice, who wished to incorporate the bay of Vlorë into its dominions.
Arianiti supported the recapture of Sfetigrad with 4,000 men. During the two main engagements of the siege, Arianiti showed great bravery. During the siege, his brother was killed. The experience of Arianiti convinced Skanderbeg to marry Donica, Arianiti's daughter. The strong connections between the Kastrioti and Arianiti families were of great benefit to the Albanian cause.
Arianiti was the only Albanian leader to have two capitals; one near the coast in Kanina, and another near the eastern mountains in Sopot. His dominions acted as the first defense against many of the Ottoman expeditions and served as one of the main centers of the Albanian League. The union between the Kastrioti and Arianiti did not have much effect due to the exposed territories of Arianiti. Through many localities, he brought together his last resistance force (1460–1462). In an open front, Mehmet II ordered movements into Albania to engaged a group of Arianiti's warriors. He then surrounded Gjergj Arianiti by moving through the valley of Furka all the way through Shushicë. Fierce engagements began, but Sopoti was not captured and the Ottoman encirclement failed. The people compared Gjergj Arianiti to Skanderbeg. To celebrate this victory, the army was taken to Galigat after the Ottomans had fully left Albania. However, when the Ottomans heard of this, they traveled back to Albania at night. The fortress of Sopot, left with a garrison chosen by Arianiti, still could not be taken. Only through bribery and treachery was it possible for the castle be taken. The Ottoman commander, took advantage of Arianiti's absence by launching a large attack with his main army. The Ottomans soon entered the castle, and in revenge for the defeats they had suffered, the entire population was massacred.
Moisi Arianit Golemi
Moisi Arianit Golemi, , the Albanian feudal lord of Dibra, and grandnephew of Gjergj Arianit Komneni....
. He was also the father of Gjergj Kastrioti's wife Marina Donika (Donika). He shared a distant relation from his great grandmother with the famous Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
Komnenos dynasty, originating in Paphlagonia
Paphlagonia
Paphlagonia was an ancient area on the Black Sea coast of north central Anatolia, situated between Bithynia to the west and Pontus to the east, and separated from Phrygia by a prolongation to the east of the Bithynian Olympus...
, Asia Minor. He was thus often referred to as Gjergj Arianit Komneni.
Life
Gjergj Arianiti has many names. His full name was Gjergj Arianit Komnen Golem Thopia, however he was most commonly known as Gjergj Arianiti. Among folk legends and Albanian folklore, he is also known as Gjorg Golemi, and on his bust found in LibrazhdLibrazhd
Librazhd is a town in eastern Albania, capital of the Librazhd District. It has a population of approximately 9,998. Librazhd is the nearest town to the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park...
is written Gjorg Golem Arianiti. He is also known as Gjergj Golemi. There has also been found a document that refers to him as "Golemi Arenit Comninovich de Albania". Another rare form of the name (Harianites) is used in a document of the Kingdom of France of the Charles VII
Charles VII of France
Charles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
era.
Writings of his figure are not very common. He is more commonly referred to as the father of Donika Kastrioti
Donika Kastrioti
Donika Kastrioti Arianiti Muzaka, Princess of the League of Lezhë was an Albanian noblewoman. A member of the Houses of Arianiti, Muzaka and Kastrioti she was the wife of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. She was the daughter of Gjergj Arianiti who stood as one of the greatest leaders' war against the...
, Skanderbeg's wife, rather than a leader of a rebellion that held back the Ottoman armies for years.
He was a member of the Arianiti family
Arianiti family
The Arianiti were an Albanian noble family that ruled large areas in Albania and neighbouring areas from the 11th to the 16th century. Their domain stretched across the Shkumbin valley and the old Via Egnatia road and reached to the east today's Bitola....
that ruled large areas in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and neighbouring areas from the 11th to the 16th century. In 1253, Byzantine chronicles mention a Gulem who ruled the lands of Albanon. Gulemi may be an ascendant of Gjergj Arianiti. Gulemi married a cousin of the Byzantine empress, Irene. From this marriage came the name Komneni.
Gjergj was the oldest of three sons. He married Maria Muzaka, and from this he acquired a territory from Mallakastra to Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
. His territories eventually reached northwards to Dibër
Dibër County
The County of Dibër is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Bulqizë, Dibër, and Mat and its capital is Peshkopi.Dibër is known for its resistance against the Turks. Historical Dibër included parts of Albania and Macedonia...
. The center of his dominions were located between Librazhd
Librazhd
Librazhd is a town in eastern Albania, capital of the Librazhd District. It has a population of approximately 9,998. Librazhd is the nearest town to the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park...
and Elbasan
Elbasan
Elbasan is a city in central Albania. It is located on the Shkumbin River in the District of Elbasan and the County of Elbasan, at...
.
With the death of his first wife, Gjergj married Pietrina Francone, an Italian aristocrat. His two wives bore him ten children, three of which were boys.
The first was called Lady Andronica (also known as Donika), the second Lady Voisava, the third Lady Chiranna, the fourth Lady Helena, the fifth Lady Despina, the sixth Lady Angelina, the seventh Lady Comita and the eighth Lady Catherine.
The first daughter, Lady Andronica, was married to Lord Scanderbeg Castriota, who was Lord of Dibra, Mat
Mat
A mat is a generic term for a piece of fabric or flat material, generally placed on a floor or other flat surface, and serving a range of purposes including:* providing a regular or flat surface, such as a mousepad....
and Kruja down to the sea, and of Deberina, also called Randesio (Renc?), and of the province of Guonimi (Gjonëm).
This Lady Andronica and Lord Scanderbeg gave birth to Lord John Castriot II
John Castriot II
Gjon Kastrioti II was the son of Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero, and of Donika Kastrioti, daughter of Gjergj Arianit Komneni. While in his teens he was forced to leave the country after the death of his father in 1468...
who was Duke of Saint Pietro in Galatina. Lord John Castriot II was married to the lady Donna Irina Palaeologus, who was the daughter of Lord Lazar, Despot of Serbia. They had many children who died. Only two of them survived: a boy and a girl, Don Prince Ferdinand Castriota who is Duke of Saint Peter, and a girl called Donna Maria Castriota.
The second daughter called Donna Voisava was married to Lord John Cernovichi (Cernojevic), Lord of Montenegro and Zeta, and they had two sons. The first one was called Lord George and the second one was Lord Scanderbeg.
Lord George married and had two sons. The first one was called Lord Solomon, the second Lord Constantine, as well as three daughters. Two of the latter married in Hungary and the third one in Venice. The said Solomon died and Constantine married in Venice.
The second son, the said Lord Scanderbeg, turned Turk and now rules the land of his brother, which was given to him by the sultan for his having turned Turk.
The third daughter, Lady Chiranna, was married to Lord Nicholas Dukagjini. She was the only daughter among brothers, and gave birth herself to two sons. One died and the other turned Turk and became a pasha and a great commander of the sultan.
The fourth daughter, Lady Helena, was married to Lord George Dukagjini, to whom many children were born and all turned Turk. One called Scanderbeg is still alive and is a sanjak bey.
The fifth daughter, Lady Despina, was married to Lord Tanush Dukagjini. They had two children: a boy and a girl. The boy died. The girl, Lady Theodora, was married to [...] and had two sons, Lord Blaise and Lord Jacob.
The sixth daughter, Lady Angelina, was married to Lord Stephen, son of the Despot of Serbia called Lord George. The said Lady Angelina and Lord Stephen had two sons and one daughter. The sons died. The daughter was called Lady Maria and married the lord Marquis of Monferrato. They had two sons. The first one was called Lord William who married the sister of Monsignor d'Alençon, who is now the dauphin of France. This nobleman had two children: a boy and a girl. The boy is now the Marquis of Monferrato and the girl married Lord Frederick, Duke of Mantua. The other brother, Lord George, died without children.
The seventh daughter, Lady Comita, married Lord Gojko Balsha who is Lord of Misia. They had two sons and one daughter. The sons died in Hungary. The daughter, Lady Maria, married the nobleman, Count of Muro, and had two daughters. The latter were called Donna Beatrice and Donna Isabel. The first lady, Donna Beatrice, married Prince Ferdinand Orsino, Duke of Gravina, and the other one, Princess Isabel, married Lord Louis of Gesualdo, Count of Conza.
The eighth daughter was Lady Catherine who was married to Nicholas Boccali. They had two sons, Lord Manoli and Lord Constantine Boccali, and two daughters. Now let us turn to the five brothers who are as follows: Lord Andrew Musachi, Lord Materango, Lord Blaise, Lord Bogdan and Lord Laldi.
Campaigns against the Ottoman Empire
The eventual Ottoman rule over Albania caused much distress and negative reactions among the population. The Ottoman domination of Albania brought their legal, political, and economic systems into Albania, threatening to destroy the feudal system and autonomy of the Albanians. These reforms took away much of Gjergj's power, but still remained a vassal of the sultan. These drastic changes encouraged the rebellions of the Albanians against the Ottoman empire. Gjergj Arianiti was one of the main leaders of these rebellions.In the spring of 1432, after the first phase of the reforms ended, an Albanian revolt erupted which spread to much of Albania. The first revolts began in central Albania. The Albanians called on Gjergj Arianit - who was thirty six years old- to lead the revolt.
Gjergj was at first apprehensive, but saw an opportunity to save the dominions left to him by his father. Upon hearing of the rebellions, many political enemies of Gjergj, who had become sipahis returned from Edirne
Edirne
Edirne is a city in Eastern Thrace, the northwestern part of Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne served as the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1365 to 1453, before Constantinople became the empire's new capital. At present, Edirne is the capital of the Edirne...
to Albania. Upon reaching Albania, Gjergj immediately banished them. He was to lead the soldiers rebellion, which came from the peasant masses. Durrës
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
, the area of Tirana controlled Andrea Topia, and Nikoll Dukagjin in the North joined the revolt.
Although Skanderbeg
Skanderbeg
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg or Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu , widely known as Skanderbeg , was a 15th-century Albanian lord. He was appointed as the governor of the Sanjak of Dibra by the Ottomans in 1440...
was summoned home by his relatives when Gjergj Arianiti with other chiefs from region between Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
and Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
organized rebellion, he did nothing remaining loyal to the sultan. The Porte responded by sending an army of fresh troops in Albania under experienced commanders. Danja in northern Albania fell, while the Topias were returned to their former state. After a strong counterattack by Arianiti, the Ottomans were soon defeated.
This victory strengthened the revolt in southern Albania, especially in Kurvelesh. Murad II
Murad II
Murad II Kodja was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1421 to 1451 ....
headed for Albania and chose to camp at Serez in Macedonia. From here, he sent out a force of ten thousand into Albania under Ali Beg
Ali Beg
Ali Beg or Ali Bey Evrenos-ogly was Ottoman military commander in 15th century. He was one of the sons of Evrenos, an Ottoman general....
. The army of Ali Beg, in the winter of 1432-1433, went through the tight valleys of the Shkumbin
Shkumbin
Shkumbin is a river in central Albania, flowing into the Adriatic Sea. It is considered the dividing line for the two dialects of the Albanian language: Tosk and Gheg ....
; near Buzurshekut (Bërzeshtës), the Albanians ambushed the Ottoman army. Arianiti observed and maneuvered against the Turks while also encouraging his men, eventually leading to an Ottoman rout. This victory further strengthened the Albanian cause and gave hope to the Europeans who feared a major Ottoman invasion.
The Byzantine chronicler, Chalcondyles, wrote: "In this battle, Arianit Komneni won a glorious victory."
Arianit used the classic tactic of "Pulling the enemy in, preparing the trap and striking suddenly." Arianiti also destroyed a second army sent by Ali Beg, leaving hundreds dead in the valleys of Kuç all the way to Borsh. The failure of the second Ottoman expedition became known throughout Europe, which was used to hearing about Christian defeats in the East. The joyful states of Europe - Pope Eugene IV, Alfonso V
Alfonso V of Aragon
Alfonso the Magnanimous KG was the King of Aragon , Valencia , Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica , and Sicily and Count of Barcelona from 1416 and King of Naples from 1442 until his death...
, Emperor Sigsimund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
, Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
and Ragusa
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
- promised aid. In his third battle (1434), in order to recapture Vlorë and Kanina, Arianiti used numbers, expediency and his tactics. Arianiti was known as the "protector of freedom" throughout the European kingdoms. During the Ottoman campaigns of 1435 and 1436 Ali Beg
Ali Beg
Ali Beg or Ali Bey Evrenos-ogly was Ottoman military commander in 15th century. He was one of the sons of Evrenos, an Ottoman general....
, together with Turakhan Beg, effected a partial submission of the Albanians led by George Arianiti.
During the fall of 1443 and the winter of 1444 Arianiti led an army deep into Macedonia. During the same time, the Turks were routed at Nish
Battle of Nish
At the Battle of Niš , crusaders led by John Hunyadi, captured Ottoman stronghold Niš and defeated three armies of the Ottoman Empire. The Battle of Niš was part of Hunyadi's expedition known as the long campaign...
and Skanderbeg
Skanderbeg
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg or Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu , widely known as Skanderbeg , was a 15th-century Albanian lord. He was appointed as the governor of the Sanjak of Dibra by the Ottomans in 1440...
deserted the Ottoman army and began another rebellion. Skanderbeg eventually allied with Gjergj Arianit through the League of Lezhë
League of Lezhë
The League of Lezhë was an alliance of Albanian Principalities forged in Lezhë on the 2nd of March 1444. It was initiated and organised by Skanderbeg with the aim of uniting the Albanian principalities that had been founded in the 12th - 14th centuries, to fight the Ottoman Armies...
.
When Krujë was besieged by the Turks, the sixty seven year old Gjergj Arianiti fought fiercely against the Turks. Arianiti, along with 3,000 warriors, joined the anti-Venetian force which eventually defeated the Venetian army at Drin. He was one of the main commanders during the short siege of Durrës and the siege of Dagno. Some of his troops went as far as the gates of Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
. Thus, his interests were not harmed by Venice, who wished to incorporate the bay of Vlorë into its dominions.
Arianiti supported the recapture of Sfetigrad with 4,000 men. During the two main engagements of the siege, Arianiti showed great bravery. During the siege, his brother was killed. The experience of Arianiti convinced Skanderbeg to marry Donica, Arianiti's daughter. The strong connections between the Kastrioti and Arianiti families were of great benefit to the Albanian cause.
Arianiti was the only Albanian leader to have two capitals; one near the coast in Kanina, and another near the eastern mountains in Sopot. His dominions acted as the first defense against many of the Ottoman expeditions and served as one of the main centers of the Albanian League. The union between the Kastrioti and Arianiti did not have much effect due to the exposed territories of Arianiti. Through many localities, he brought together his last resistance force (1460–1462). In an open front, Mehmet II ordered movements into Albania to engaged a group of Arianiti's warriors. He then surrounded Gjergj Arianiti by moving through the valley of Furka all the way through Shushicë. Fierce engagements began, but Sopoti was not captured and the Ottoman encirclement failed. The people compared Gjergj Arianiti to Skanderbeg. To celebrate this victory, the army was taken to Galigat after the Ottomans had fully left Albania. However, when the Ottomans heard of this, they traveled back to Albania at night. The fortress of Sopot, left with a garrison chosen by Arianiti, still could not be taken. Only through bribery and treachery was it possible for the castle be taken. The Ottoman commander, took advantage of Arianiti's absence by launching a large attack with his main army. The Ottomans soon entered the castle, and in revenge for the defeats they had suffered, the entire population was massacred.
Descendants
- Golemi, ruled Albanon, married Irene KomnenosKomnenosKomnenós or Comnenus was the name of a ruling family of the Eastern Roman Empire , who halted the political decline of the Empire from c.1081 to c.1185.-Origins:...
- Gjergj, married Maria Muzaka
- Donika Arianit, married Gjergj KastriotiKastriotiThe Kastrioti family were a noble Albanian family in the middle Ages. The Kastrioti dynasty originally hailed from the Dibër region in Albania...
(Scanderbeg) - Angelina of Serbia, Serbian Orthodox saintSaintA saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
, married Stefan Branković
- Donika Arianit, married Gjergj Kastrioti
- Gjergj, married Maria Muzaka