Gjin Bua Shpata | |
---|---|
Despot of Arta | |
Born | First half of the 14th century Epirus |
Died | 29 October 1399 |
Spouse | Irene Preljubović |
Issue | Irene Shpata & Unnamed Daughter |
House | Shpata family |
Religion | Eastern Orthodoxy |
Gjin Bua Shpata (sometimes anglicized as John Spata) (fl. 1358 – 29 October 1399) was an Albanian ruler in Western Greece with the title of Despot. Together with Pjetër Losha, he led raids into Epirus, Acarnania and Aetolia in 1358. He was recognized as Despot by the titular Eastern Roman Emperor in the early 1360s and ruled Aetolia (1360s–?), Angelokastron (?–1399), Naupactus (1378–1399), and Arta (1370s–1399). He was born sometime in the first half of the 14th century in Epirus, as his father was a ruler in the region.