| Muzaka | |
|---|---|
Lordship of Berat |
|
| Ethnicity | Albanian |
| Current region | Albania |
| Information | |
| Place of origin | Opar, Albania |
| Notable members | Andrea II Muzaka, Teodor I Muzaka, Teodor II Muzaka, Teodor III Muzaka Gjon Muzaka |
| Connected families | Arianiti family Kastrioti family |
The Muzaka were an Albanian noble family, first mentioned in 1190 by the Byzantine historian Anna Comnena. The family created the Muzaka Principality.[1]
In 1090, a member of the Muzaka family is first mentioned by Byzantine historian Anna Komnene 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 the 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 the Byzantine Empire and resisted Serb invasion. In 1319 three members of the 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.[1]
As soon as Andrea II Muzaka had the title of despot, he endorsed an anti-Byzantine revolt (1335-1341) in his despotate, and also formed an alliance with the Anjou from Naples on 30 December 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.[1]