Albanian-Epirote War
Date1381–1384
Location
Epirus, modern Greece
Belligerents
Albanian raiders Despotate of Epirus
Commanders and leaders
Thomas II Preljubović X
Units involved
Bua (tribe)
Malakasioi tribe
Mazaraki tribe

Serbian-Greek army

  • Ottoman support
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown unknown

The Albanian-Epirote War of 1381–84 was waged between Albanian raiders and Despotate of Epirus, ruled and led by Thomas II Preljubović.[1][2] Throughout the campaigns, Thomas earned the nickname 'Albanian-slayer' for the cruelty he exhibited towards captured Albanian prisoners.

Prelude and Warfare

In the 1340s, Serbian and Albanian invasions of Epirus diminished Byzantine domination in the Balkans. These invasions triggered a shift in the political landscape of the Byzantine Empire, emphasizing issues related to nationalities. By the 14th century, Ioannina was primarily inhabited by Greeks, a demographic preference of the local Greek population.[3] Individuals holding the title of 'Despot of Epirus' sometimes incorporated the expulsion of Albanians from the region into their political agenda. This strategy was employed by figures such as Nikephoros II Orsini and Thomas Preljubović to garner support from the Greek population. In 1389, during the initial years of Preljubović's rule, Ioannina was ravaged by a plague, weakening Epirus' political standing. Additionally, Epirus faced persistent Albanian raids, prompting the people of Epirus to seek a leader capable of protecting them against these continuous attacks.[4] "Preljubović, an ethnic Serb, made earnest efforts to fulfill the role of protector of Epirus. His particularly harsh treatment of Albanians earned him the nickname 'Albanian slayer'.[5][3][1] Although he ruled Epirus, Preljubović's army was predominantly made up of Serbs. Without them, Ioannina would likely have fallen to the Albanians.[4]

In 1380, Preljubović enlisted Ottoman support in his army and launched an offensive against the territories of Albanian raiders. The offensive reached its peak in upper Thyamis, capturing several villages. However, in 1384, Preljubović was assassinated by some of his own bodyguards, bringing an abrupt end to the offensive campaign.[1][2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière (1976). Migrations and Invasions in Greece and Adjacent Areas. Noyes Press. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-8155-5047-1.
  2. 1 2 Sansaridou-Hendrickx, Thekla (January 2010). "The Albanians in the Chronicle(s) of Ioannina : An Anthropological Approach". Acta Patristica et Byzantina. 21 (2): 287–306. doi:10.1080/10226486.2010.11879131. ISSN 1022-6486. S2CID 163742869.
  3. 1 2 Oswald, Brendan (2011). "Citizenship in Medieval Ioannina" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2011.
  4. 1 2 Nicol, Donald M. (1984). The Despotate of Epiros 1267-1479: A Contribution to the History of Greece in the Middle Ages. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-26190-6.
  5. ↑ Ellis, Steven G.; Klusáková, Lud'a (2007). Imagining Frontiers, Contesting Identities. Edizioni Plus. p. 135. ISBN 978-88-8492-466-7.
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