Despotate of Arta: Map & History
The Despotate of Arta was a despotate established by Albanian rulers during the 14th century, after the defeat of the local Despot of Epirus, Nikephoros II Orsini, by Albanian tribesmen in the Battle of Achelous in 1359.
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The Despotate of Arta was a despotate established by Albanian rulers during the 14th century, after the defeat of the local Despot of Epirus, Nikephoros II Orsini, by Albanian tribesmen in the Battle of Achelous in 1359. The Despotate ceased to exist in 1416, when it passed to Carlo I Tocco.
Despotate of Arta in Depth
History
In the late spring of 1359, Nikephoros II Orsini, the last despot of Epirus of the Orsini dynasty, fought against the Albanians near river Acheloos, Aetolia. The Albanians won the battle under Karl Thopia and managed to create two new states in the southern territories of the Despotate of Epirus. Because a number of Albanian lords actively supported the successful Serbian campaign in Thessaly and Epirus, the Serbian self-proclaimed Emperor of Serbs and Greeks, Simeon Uroš, granted them specific regions and offered them the Byzantine title of despotes in order to secure their loyalty.
By the late 1360s, two Albanian principalities had emerged: the first with its capital in Arta under Pjetër Losha, and the second, centered in Angelokastron, under Gjin Bua Shpata.
Local legacy
The city of Arta was relatively unknown during the period of the Albanian rule (1358–1416). Albanian leaders acquired legally Byzantine titles and tried to adopt Byzantine state structure. Although no architectural activity has been reported for this period, little seems to have changed in Arta and the Albanian and Greek population coexisted peacefully in the city.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Despotate of Arta (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Despotate of Arta: Key Facts
| Founded | 1358 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1416 |
Facts from Wikidata Q2331954 (CC0).
Despotate of Arta Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Despotate of Arta appears, with the other states of the time.
Despotate of Arta Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 10,917 km² in 1418 CE.
Despotate of Arta: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Despotate of Arta exist?
Despotate of Arta is dated to 1375 CE – 1421 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Despotate of Arta?
The capital of Despotate of Arta was Arta.
How large was Despotate of Arta at its peak?
At its peak in 1418 AD Despotate of Arta covered about 10,917 km².
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