Mark Gjini

Mark Gjini was an Albanian leader chosen at the Convention of Mat to negotiate with the Pope an alliance against the Ottoman Empire.

Life[edit]

Mark Gjini held the title of Stradiot captain serving the Republic of Venice. His service to Venetians includes his contribution in the Uskok War with six boats with 300 Albanians.[1] Gjini was a distinguished figure of the Albanian struggle against the Ottoman Empire at the end of the end of 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century.[2] He participated at the Convention of Mat which was held on November 7, 1594 by Albanian leaders for a better organization of their revolts.[3][4] The convention decided that help should be sought from the Pope, and the trusted and experienced leaders Tom Plezha, Mark Gjini and Nikollë Mekajshi were chosen to undertake the negotiations.[4] This was done secretly from the Republic of Venice as the latter did not want to open a new conflict with the Ottomans.[4] A year later Gjini returned from Italy to recruit men for the implementation of plans, and was almost killed by people employed by Venetians. In 1607, Gjini led a delegation that requested help by the King of Spain. After the failure of the Mat Convention's goals, little is known about Mark Gjini.[3] The documents, however, show that after the 1607-1608 period, he was still one of the most active anti-Ottoman leaders in Albania.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Malcolm, Noel (2015). Agents of Empire: Knights, Corsairs, Jesuits and Spies in the Sixteenth-century Mediterranean World. Oxford University Press. p. 409. ISBN 9780190262785.
  2. ^ Instituti i Historisë (1967). Studime historike. Akademia e Shkencave. p. 123.
  3. ^ a b Aleks Buda (1985). Fjalor enciklopedik shqiptar. Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH. p. 585.
  4. ^ a b c Jehona. 1969. p. 83.
  5. ^ Islami, Selim (1988). Gjurmime albanologjike: Seria e shkencave historike. Instituti. p. 108.

Sources[edit]

  • Aleks Buda (1985). Fjalor enciklopedik shqiptar. Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH.
  • Jehona. 1969.
  • Instituti i Historisë (1967). Studime historike. Akademia e Shkencave.
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