Texts and Documents of Albanian History

Robert Elsie

Texts and Documents of Albanian History
to 15th century

1000-1018 Anonymous: Fragment on the Origins of Nations The document seems to provide the earliest written reference to the Albanians as a people.

1038, 1042, 1078 Michael Attaleiates: The First Byzantine References Byzantine historian Michael Attaliates gives the earliest references to the Albanian people as recorded in Byzantine historical texts.

1081 Anna Comnena: The Norman Invasion of Albania The daughter of the Byzantine emperor provides an account of her father’s battle with the invading Normans near Durrës and Ndroq.

1154 Muhammad al-Idrisi: The Book of Roger A short description of Albania by a 12th century Arab geographer.

1257 George Acropolites: An Albanian Uprising A Byzantine historian chronicles a 13th century Albanian rebellion in the Ohrid and Dibra region.

1267 George Pachymeres: An Earthquake in Durrës A Byzantine historian describes the earthquake that destroyed Durrës in July 1267.

1308 Anonymous: Description of Eastern Europe An anonymous French Dominican priest describes his tour through early 14th century Albania.

1322 Simon Fitzsimons: Itinerary from Ireland to the Holy Land Two Franciscan clerics from Ireland describe Albania on their pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and refer to the Albanian language.

1328, 1332, 1336 John Cantacuzene: Unruly Nomads Pay Homage to the Emperor The Byzantine Emperor John VI Cantacuzene makes several brief references to the Albanians in this text, describing them as wild and unruly nomads.

1332 Anonymous: Initiative for Making the Passage A Dominican priest makes reference to the Albanian language in this description of the country and how easy it would be for the Catholic world to conquer it.

1470 Fior Jonima: A Ravaged Land The earliest personal account given by an Albanian about the state of his country.

1474 George Merula: The Siege of Shkodra An Italian historian narrates the Ottoman siege of Shkodra in September 1474.

1497 Arnold von Harff: Pilgrimage from Cologne A German pilgrim visits Durrës on his way to the Holy Land and jots down words and expressions in the Albanian language.

 

The translations in this anthology may be copied, downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes if the source is appropriately documented. | Robert Elsie

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