Gjergj Arianiti

Gjergj Arianiti
Prince of Arianiti
Modern bust of Gjergj Arianit located in Krujë
Born1383
Principality of Arianiti
Died1462
SpousesMaria Muzaka
Pietrina Francone
IssueAndronika, Queen of Albania
Goisava, Princess of Zeta
Chiranna, Lady of Ducagini
Helena, Lady of Ducagini
Despina, Lady of Ducagini
Angjelina Arianiti
Comita, Lady of Misia
Catherine, Lady of Drivasto
Theodora Arianiti
Maria, Lady of Cerveteri and Viano
Thomas Comnino Arianiti
Constantine Arianiti, Prince of Macedonia
Arianitto Arianiti
See family-section
Names
George Arianiti Thopia Comnenus
HouseArianiti
FatherComnino Arianiti
Motherdaughter of Nicholas Zaharia
ReligionEastern Orthodoxy
Occupation1423–27 hostage at Ottoman court
1431–35: Leader of the revolt against Ottomans[1]
1444-50, 1456-1462: Member of the League of Lezhë
1451-before 1456: Neapolitan ally

Gjergj Arianiti (1383–1462) was an Albanian feudal lord who led several successful campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. He was the father of Donika, Skanderbeg's wife, as well as the grand-uncle of Moisi Arianit Golemi. Gjergj Arianiti was Skanderbeg's ally within the League of Lezhë before abandoning the alliance after the defeat in Berat in 1450. He later returned.[2] Robert Elsie emphasizes that Arianiti was often Skanderbeg's rival. He allied with the Kingdom of Naples in 1446, left his alliance with Skanderbeg by 1449 and allied with Venice in 1456. However, his daughter married Skanderbeg and he remained officially part of the League of Lezhe, continuing to fight Ottomans successfully up to his death in 1462.[3]

  1. ^ Jefferson, John (2012). The Holy Wars of King Wladislas and Sultan Murad: The Ottoman-Christian Conflict from 1438–1444. BRILL. p. 109. ISBN 978-90-04-21904-5.
  2. ^ Pipa, Arshi (1978). Albanian literature: social perspectives. R. Trofenik. p. 49. ISBN 978-3-87828-106-1. Retrieved 17 February 2012. AryanitesComnenius, Scanderbeg's father-in- law, was his ally and friend only for a short time. After the battle of Berat, Aryanites abandoned the Albanian league, dealing with Naples and Venice independently until his death in 1461
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Elsie2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).