Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg

Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg (6 May 1405 – 4 December 1466) (Albanian: Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu, widely known as Skanderbeg, Turkish İskender Bey, meaning "Lord or Leader Alexander"), or Iskander Beg, is one of the most prominent historical figures in the history of Albania and of the Albanian people. Scanderbeg's bones measured him to be at least up to 7 feet tall, with that hight, he could easily still swing his extremely heavy sword knowingly. He is also known as the Dragon of Albania[1] and is the national hero of the Albanians. Through the work of his first biographer, Marin Barleti, he is remembered for his struggle against the Ottoman Empire, whose armies he successfully ousted from his native land for two decades. [2] Skanderbeg's father, was Gjon Kastrioti (John Castriot), lord of Middle Albania, that included Mat, Krujë, Mirditë and Dibër. His mother was Vojsava[3] from the Tribalda family,[4] (who came from the Pollog valley, north-western part of present-day Republic of Macedonia), or from the old noble Muzaka family[5],An Albanian Princess.[6]. Gjon Kastrioti was among those who opposed[7] the early incursion of Ottoman Bayezid I, however his resistance was ineffectual. The Sultan, having accepted his submissions, obliged him to pay tribute and to ensure the fidelity of local rulers, George Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken by the Sultan to his court as hostages. After his conversion to Islam,[8] he attended military school in Edirne and led many battles for the Ottoman Empire to victory. For his military victories, he received the title Arnavutlu İskender Bey, (Albanian: Skënderbe shqiptari, English: Lord Alexander, the Albanian) comparing Kastrioti's military brilliance to that of Alexander the Great.