Peter Losha
| Peter Losha | |
|---|---|
| Despot | |
| Despot of Arta | |
| 1359–1374 | |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | John Losha |
|
Issue
John Losha | |
| Noble family | Losha |
| Died | 1374 |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox Christianity |
| Occupation |
Nobility;
|
Peter Losha (Albanian: Pjetër Losha, Greek: Πέτρος Λέοσας, Pétros Léosas, Serbian Cyrillic: Петар Љош) was an Albanian nobleman in medieval Epirus, who served as the despot of Arta from 1359 until his death in 1374, mostly as vassal under Serbian magnates Simeon Uroš (1359-1366) and Toma Preljubović (1366-1367, 1370-1374), though at times independent (1367-1370). Peter and John Bua Spata had been given the title despot in 1359 by Simeon Uroš, the brother of deceased Emperor Stefan Dušan, following their victory over Nikephoros II Orsini, who had sought to recover Epirus.
Life
Origin
Losha's geneaology or birth date is unknown. Albanian historians consider him Albanian.[1] lios means "pockmark" in Albanian.[2] A Vlach (Aromanian) origin has also been given by historians;[1] Croatian historian Milan Šufflay (1879-1931) spoke of an Albano-Aromanian symbiosis in the Pindus, and discussed the nationality of the Losha, Bua and Shpata.[3]
Despot of Arta
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.[4] The domains he gained after the battle also included Rogoi (modern Filippiada) and Amphilochia, as mentioned in the Chronicle of Ioannina. To emphasize his suzerainty over the rulers in Epirus, Simeon Uroš granted him the title of despot (in 1359/1360[5]), which was possibly an act of mere recognition of his rule after the battle of Achelous.[6]
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, capital of Preljubović was under constant siege and blocked by the Mazaraki and Malakasa clans under Losha.[6] A truce was signed when Peter's son John was betrothed to Thomas's daughter Eirene (Irina).[6][7]
According to the Ioanninna chronicle he died in 1373/1374 (year 6882).[5] The cause of death has been given as result of an outbreak of plague in Arta, or an assassination by the Mazzarakoioi. The lordship passed briefly to his son John (Gjin) before falling under the Despotate of Angelokastron and Lepanto of Gjin Bua Shpata.
Possessions
His estates included the Epirote cities of:
- Arta,[8]
- Rogoi or Roga (modern Filippiada)[8]
- Amphilochia[6]
Family
He had a son, John (alb. "Gjin" or "Gjon"), who married Irina Preljubović, the daughter of Toma.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Madgearu 2008, p. 83
- ↑ Hammond, Nicholas (1976). Migrations and invasions in Greece and adjacent areas. Noyes Press. p. 59. ISBN 9780815550471. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
In 1358 the Albanians overran Epirus, Acarnania and Aetolia, and established two principalities under their leaders, John Spatas (shpatë in Albanian meaning a sword) and Peter Leosas (lios in Albanian meaning a pockmark)
- ↑ Pipa 1978, p. 53:
Sufflay speaks of an Albano-Aromunian symbiosis in the Pindus, and the nationality of the rulers of Thessaly and Epirus in the second half of the 14th century (Peter Ljosha, Nicola Bua, Gjin Shpata) has been a moot point. The discussion is ...
- ↑ Epeirotica 2.220; cf. 222 f
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vizantološki institut 1975, p. 196:
Ђин Буја је добио Ахелон и Ангелокастрон а Петар Љош Арту.41 Према подацима Јањинске хронике Петар Љош је умро 6882(1373/4) године док је Ђин Буја био наводно жив сведо 1400.42 Смрт Петра Љоша претходи за ...
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Nicol, Donald MacGillivray (1984). The Despotate of Epiros, 1267-1479: A Contribution to the History of Greece in the Middle Ages. Cambridge University Press. pp. 142–5. ISBN 9780521261906. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ↑ Fine, John Van Antwerp (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. pp. 351–2. ISBN 9780472082605. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Vizantološki institut 1994, p. 133:
и Петар Љоша је владао градовима Арта и Роге, а Ђин Буа Спата градо- вина Ахелој и Ангелокастрон; опширно о њима
Sources
- 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
- Jireček, Konstantin Josef (1911), Geschichte der Serben (in German) 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 33, Naučno delo
- Vizantološki institut (1975), Zbornik radova, 16-18, Naučno delo
| New title | Despot of Arta Under the Serbian Empire 1359–1374 |
Succeeded by Gjin Bua Spata |