How did Skanderbeg Betray The Ottomans? - Part 1

How did Skanderbeg Betray The Ottomans? - Part 1

Skanderbeg. Born in the early 15th century by the name of Gjergj Kastrioti in the contemporary Principality of Kastrioti within modern-day Albania, his name now marks history books with the weight of a national hero and military marvel.
He was the son of Gjon and Voisava Kastrioti, a noble family of the Principality of Kastrioti which existed within the current Albanian borders and stood as one of the European Christian strongholds against the Ottoman Empire for some time, but eventually fell into vassalship nonetheless. As a common practice of this time, vassals were required to send one or more of their children to the Ottoman court as political hostages in a deal to ensure the loyalty of the family and principality...

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♦Music by Epidemic Sound

♦Sources :
Hodgkinson, Harry - Scanderbeg: From Ottoman Captive to Albanian Hero.
Angelo, Paolo - La vita di Scanderbeg di Paolo Angelo
Frashëri, Naim - Istori'e Skenderbeut
Housley, Norman - The later Crusades, 1274–1580: from Lyons to Alcazar

♦Script & Research :
Skylar Gordon
#History #Skanderbeg #Albania

[kidfox]

I was in Albania and Kosovo last summer, and they have statues of him in both Tirana and Prishtina. I'm sure the Albanians will be glad to know that, as an American, it was my first trip outside of the US and I really enjoyed it.

[romariozizolli]

He never betrayed them, he simply went back to defend his people.

[spirokaci]

World class Warrior and very intelligent politician. No one ever managed to unite Albanians like him. Eternal Glory upon Him.

[ojgig]

Not only Skenderbeg knew the Ottoman warfare but he adapted and improved light cavalry maneuvers even further when fighting against them. After his death some of his warriors became fearsome mercenaries in other countries of Europe and their tactics eventually led to the birth of famous military units such as the Hussars, which shaped the European warfare for centuries. Because of those mercenaries the medieval French would compliment someone who rode a horse exceptionally well saying "he rides like an Albanian".

[bordoenes]

One of the few cases where even Turks respected. The guy rebelled and betrayed the Ottomans, but damn was he a tactical genius that won against increasing odds time and time again. At some point you just have to respect that.

[blockie]

Skanderbeg is the greatest patriot to ever live. He left all the goods he had in the ottoman empire for his motherland and for glory, his deeds are still remembered till this day, undoubtedly an inspiration for all of us today.

[yourpapichulo]

Albania is one of the most beautiful and friendly, safe places I’ve ever been to. I don’t have lots of money but I go back to tirana every 3 or 4 times a year because I love the people there and the food. Absolutely amazing history and places to visit. Everyone should consider visiting the country I promise you you’ll fall in love with it ❤️🇦🇱🇳🇱

[abdehldahmani]

It was not betrayal, it was just a man fulfilling his patriotic duty and fighting for his people.
Salute to Albania from Algeria.
🇩🇿 💚❤🤍❤🖤🇦🇱

[gigasigma]

Fun fact: Skanderbegs first campaigns were in Anatolia and not in the Balkans.
He won every battle in Anatolia aswell.

[agonlata]

The video is wrongly titled. It should be " How did Skanderbeg not Betray his homeland?" .

[albarmy]

I think this guy's life needs a movie on it's own. Would make for a perfect movie series. 👌

[eee-ed]

I love this guy. As an Albanian, I think he is a hero, but it is deeper than that… he was one of the greatest generals in history, and he is *still* so underrated. Like others said, I hope he gets his own movie.

[crushmash]

I love history, I did not know anything about this. I thought it was done very well, looking forward to more history insights.

Thank you

[bearclaw]

Visited a new pizza shop where the uniforms have 🇦🇱 . I spoke with the owner and the conversation quickly turned to Skenderbeg.

[Destro]

Albanians love their their land, more than their own life!
I had the pleasure to meet a lot of them, they are the most bravest people on earth 🌎
Much love and respect

[arrore]

The most interesting thing is Moisi Golemi's betrayal. Moisi Golemi (Moisi Shkodra) was one of the best army commanders during that time in Albania, but as a person, he was a soft heart person. His idea was for Skanderbeg to stop the resistance and that it's better for Albanians to do what all of the Balkan people did (bow down to the sultan), he thought that was a better decision for the Albanians who were starving because they didn't have the economy to fight against the biggest empire in the world at the time. He saw that other Balkan people were getting their religious and ethnic rights from the Ottoman Empire and thought that Albanians are going to be assimilated by the end of this war. He joined the Ottoman empire to stop Skanderbeg from this war of destruction and self-destruction too. Obviously Skanderbeg didn't agree to that as he would think that he is the Albanian king and that his kingdom should never be conquered and tried to get help from the Pope and Naples. In the battle of Oranik (the most violent battle of them all) Moisi Golemi led an Ottoman army (15.000) against the Skanderbegs army (10.000). In this battle an ottoman soldier named Ahimaz asked for a 1v1 duel and an Albanian soldier named Zaharia Gropa accepted the duel and easily cut Ahimaz's head off. After that Moisi challenged Skanderbeg in a 1v1 duel and when Skanderbeg walked in the middle of the field Moisi ordered the attack (trying to get Skanderbeg killed) the battle started and Skanderbeg fought in the front line of the army. After 2 hours of fighting Moisi escaped after losing 10.000 soldiers ( 2/3 of the army) while Skanderbeg lost only 1000. Moisi Golemi later regret the betrayal and asked Skanderbeg for mercy, Skanderbeg accepted him back in his army. Moisi Golemi was later captured by the Ottoman forces during the battle of Ohrid (9000 Albanians+1000 Venetians against 14.000 ottomans) Albanians won the battle but 12 of skanderbegs close people were captured (Including Skanderbegs nephews and Moisi Golemi). Skanderbeg tried to pay the Sultan for their release, but the sultan executed them in public by ripping their skin alive (they all had a painful death). Skanderbeg took their revenge (based on the Albanian kanun) during the siege of Kruje in 1466 by killing Ballaban Bardhi (Baderi) and close to 30 thousand ottoman soldiers (most of them after capture).

[andrewgschwartz]

I've not seen anyone pick up this story until now. Spread the legacy of this amazing man. From what I've read there were two main causes for the betrayal. 1) Skanderbeg was loyal to the Sultan and the Sultan was loyal to Skanderbeg. This caused jealousy amongst other influential men at court who through intrigue managed to get the Sultan to doubt Skanderbeg. This change of heart led Skanderbeg to plan his exit. 2) His personal devotion to the Virgin Mary. Fun fact, the image he used to pray in front of after he returned to Albania now resides in the Vatican.

[nenenindonu]

One of the best medieval generals of Europe also kudos to Mehmed the Conqueror he fought various stars of his era Skanderbeg, Stephen III, Uzun Hasan, Vlad, Hunyadi, ...

[ld]

Skanderbeg, probably the most underrated warrior in human history. Albanian history seriously deserves more global recognition. I mean, how does a man manage to remain victorious in all his battles, despite being so vastly outnumbered and less well equipped.

[albostone]

He was taken as hostage; He did His honoured duty regard to the fatherland.
Glory glory to Him !