Muzaka family
Encyclopedia
The Muzaka were an Albanian
noble family, first mentioned in 1190 by the Byzantine historian Anna Comnena. The family created the Muzaka Principality.
as a loyal commander of Alexios I Komnenos
. The family originated from Opar
village in the Korça
region, a fact confirmed by the memoirs of Gjon Muzaka
, the last known descendant of the family. In 1279 Gjon I Muzaka, who remained loyal to Byzantine throne and resisted the Angevin invasion, was captured by the forces of Charles of Anjou, but under the pressure of local Albanian nobles he was later released. The Muzaka family continued to remain loyal to Byzantine Empire and resisted Serb invasion. In 1319 three members of Muzaka family even tried to get help from the Pope. For their loyalty to Byzantium, the head of the family Andrea II Muzaka gained the title of Despot in 1335, while other Muzakas continued to pursue careers in Byzantine administration in Constantinople.
As soon as Andrea II Muzaka had the title of despot, he endorsed a 1335-1341 anti-Byzantine revolt in his despotate, and also formed an alliance with the Anjou from Naples on December 30, 1336, whereas he recognized himself as a vassal of Robert, Prince of Taranto. As proof of his fidelity to the Capetian House of Anjou
, Andrea II Muzaka had to leave one of his sons in Durazzo.
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
noble family, first mentioned in 1190 by the Byzantine historian Anna Comnena. The family created the Muzaka Principality.
History of the Muzaka
In 1090, a member of Muzaka family is first mentioned by Byzantine historian Anna KomneneAnna Komnene
Anna Komnene, Latinized as Comnena was a Greek princess and scholar and the daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos of Byzantium and Irene Doukaina...
as a loyal commander of Alexios I Komnenos
Alexios I Komnenos
Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus , was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118, and although he was not the founder of the Komnenian dynasty, it was during his reign that the Komnenos family came to full power. The title 'Nobilissimus' was given to senior army commanders,...
. The family originated from Opar
Opar, Albania
Opar is a community in the in the Korçë District, Korçë County, Albania.The origin of the noble Albanian family Muzaka, who would later rule in the Muzaka Principality of Berat is from Opar. The masons of the area speak a unique sociolect known as Purishte....
village in the Korça
Korča
Korča is a village in the municipality of Hadžići, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
region, a fact confirmed by the memoirs of Gjon Muzaka
Gjon Muzaka
Gjon Muzaka wan an Albanian nobleman from the Muzaka family, that has historically ruled in the Myzeqe region, Albania. In 1510 he wrote a Breve memoria de li discendenti de nostra casa Musachi . The work was published in Karl Hopf's Chroniques gréco-romaines, Paris 1873,...
, the last known descendant of the family. In 1279 Gjon I Muzaka, who remained loyal to Byzantine throne and resisted the Angevin invasion, was captured by the forces of Charles of Anjou, but under the pressure of local Albanian nobles he was later released. The Muzaka family continued to remain loyal to Byzantine Empire and resisted Serb invasion. In 1319 three members of Muzaka family even tried to get help from the Pope. For their loyalty to Byzantium, the head of the family Andrea II Muzaka gained the title of Despot in 1335, while other Muzakas continued to pursue careers in Byzantine administration in Constantinople.
As soon as Andrea II Muzaka had the title of despot, he endorsed a 1335-1341 anti-Byzantine revolt in his despotate, and also formed an alliance with the Anjou from Naples on December 30, 1336, whereas he recognized himself as a vassal of Robert, Prince of Taranto. As proof of his fidelity to the Capetian House of Anjou
Capetian House of Anjou
The Capetian House of Anjou, also known as the House of Anjou-Sicily and House of Anjou-Naples, was a royal house and cadet branch of the direct House of Capet. Founded by Charles I of Sicily, a son of Louis VIII of France, the Capetian king first ruled the Kingdom of Sicily during the 13th century...
, Andrea II Muzaka had to leave one of his sons in Durazzo.