Contents

Peter Losha

Part of a series on
Albanian tribes
Tribes and regions Malësia e Madhe Hoti Gruda Kelmendi Shkreli Rrjolli Kastrati Trieshi Koja Marsheni Tuzi Gruemiri Reçi Lohja Lepuroshi Boga Dukagjin highlands Bobi Shala Shoshi Shllaku Dushmani Toplana Mavriqi Mazreku Prekali Pult Kiri Plani Xhani Suma Highlands of Gjakova Krasniqi Nikaj Mërturi Gashi Bytyqi Morina Puka-Mirdita Berisha Mirdita Puka Malziu Thaçi Qerreti Kabashi Selita Dukagjini Upper Drin Hasi Luma Lura Arrëni Dibra Sopa Kastrioti Zadrimë - Lezha highlands Zadrima Bushati Renesi Vela Bulgëri Kryezezi Manatia Mati - Kruja highlands Progani Gjonima Myzeqe Lalë Muzaka Albania Veneta Pamalioti Mahine Kryethi Kakarriqi Brda-Zeta Bukumiri Bratonishi Bytadosi Kuçi Macure Malonšići Mataguzi Mugoša Ndrekalorë Pipri Palabardhi Rogami Vasaj Old Montenegro Goljemadi Herzegovina - Ragusan hinterland Burmazi Mataruga Španji Kriči Epirus/Chameria Bua Kurveleshi Losha Malakasioi Mazaraki Spata Zenevisi Souliotes
Concepts Dheu Vatër Besa Kanun Gjakmarrja Bukë, Kripë e Zemër
History Bajrak Albanian National Awakening Albanian revolt of 1911 Kachak movement Reconciliation Movement in 1990
Culture Epic poetry (Lahutë · Çifteli · Fyelli · Kângë Kreshnikësh) Mythology Gjamë/Vajtim Kângë majekrahi Dances (Sword dance) Sworn virgins Oda Clothing (Brez · Fustanella · Opinga · Qeleshe · Xhamadan · Xhubleta.·Çorape)
v t e

Pjetër Losha was an Albanian clan leader in medieval Epirus. He belonged to the Losha fis (clan or tribe) and was the leader of a combined force of his own clan and the fisofMazaraki and Malakasi. In 1360, he became Despot of Arta, Rogoi and the area of Amphilochia. He died in 1374 and was succeeded by his close ally, Gjin Bua Shpata. The Chronicle of the Tocco is an important primary source for his life and the Albanians in medieval Epirus in general.

Life[edit]

Losha's genealogy or birth date is unknown. He belonged to the Losha clan, presumably he was born in Epirus as his tribe was from there as well. The word lios means "pockmark" in Albanian. He was part of the Albanian attacks in the remnants of Byzantine Epirus. In 1358–59, Albanian clans overran the regional feudal rulers and established themselves under Gjin Bua Shpata and Pjetër Losha.^[1] He had a son named Gjin. Losha led the Albanian force against Nikephoros II Orsini at the Battle of Achelous that won him the rule of Arta; he founded his domain around Arta with the help of the Mazaraki and Malakasi clans.^[2] The domains he gained after the battle also included Rogoi and Amphilochia, as mentioned in the Chronicle of Ioannina. In 1360, Simeon Uroš, the titular Serbian Emperor, in an attempt to avoid conflict with the Albanians and as an acknowledgment of their military strength decided to the leave the areas of Arta and Aetolia to Shpata and Losha.^[3]

In 1366, Toma Preljubović succeeded Simeon as ruler of Epirus. His rule marked a renewal of hostilities in the region as from 1367 to 1370, Ioannina, the capital of Preljubović, came under constant siege and was blocked by the Mazaraki and Malakasi clans under Losha.^[4][5] A truce was signed when Pjetër’s son Gjin was betrothed to Thomas's daughter Irina.^[4][6] She died in the 1375 plague that affected the region and hostilities began again.^[7]

Possessions[edit]

His estates included the Epirote cities of:

• Arta,^[8]
• Rogoi or Roga (modern Filippiada)^[8]
• Amphilochia^[4]

Family[edit]

He had a son named Gjin, who married Irina Preljubović, the daughter of Thoma.

References[edit]

Sources[edit]

• Fine, John Van Antwerp (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-08260-4.
• Sansaridou-Hendrickx, Thekla (2017). "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. S2CID 163742869.
• Hammond, Nicholas (1976). Migrations and invasions in Greece and adjacent areas. Noyes Press. ISBN 9780815550471. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
• Jireček, Konstantin Josef (1911). Geschichte der Serben (in German). Vol. 1. Gotha, Germany: Friedriech Andreas Perthes A.-G.
• Mihaljčić, Rade (1975). Крај Српског царства (in Serbian). Belgrade: Srpska književna zadruga.
• Nicol, Donald MacGillivray (2010), The Despotate of Epiros 1267–1479: A Contribution to the History of Greece in the Middle Ages, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-13089-9
• Soulis, George Christos (1984), The Serbs and Byzantium during the reign of Tsar Stephen Dušan (1331–1355) and his successors, Dumbarton Oaks, ISBN 0-88402-137-8
• Vizantološki institut (1994), Recueil de travaux de l'Institut des études byzantines, vol. 33, Naučno delo
• Vizantološki institut (1975), Zbornik radova, vol. 16–18, Naučno delo