Dhimitër Progoni
Encyclopedia
Dhimitër Progoni was the third and the last Prince of Arbër
from the Progon Dynasty, reigning from 1208 to 1216. He succeeded his brother Gjin Progoni
and brought the principality to its maximum. Western sources of the time attribute him with the titles judex (judge) and princeps Arbanorum (prince of the Albanians), while Byzantine
records refer to him as megas archon (grand lord). In 1208 he married Komnena Nemanjić, daughter of the Serbia
n King Stefan Nemanjić, he secured a brief peace with Serbia
. Dhimitër also earned the exalted Byzantine title panhypersebastos.
Dhimitër’s marriage with Nemanja’s daughter did not rule out the risk of a Serbian expansion toward the Albanian domains. However, in 1204, the most serious threat came from the Venetian Duchy of Dyrrhachium, a Latin entity formed after the Fourth Crusade
in the former territories of the Byzantine Empire. In search for allies, Dhimitër signed a treaty with the Republic of Ragusa
in 1209 and began negotiations with Pope Innocent III
regarding his and his subjects’ conversion to Catholicism
. This is considered a tactful move, which Dhimitër undertook to establish ties with Western Europe against Venice.
Dhimitër had no son to succeed him. After his death, his wife, Komnena, married an Albanian noble, Grigor Kamona
, who later became Prince of Albania. His closest ally was an archon named Dhimiter Gaba the 3rd.
Principality of Arbër
The Principality of Arbër or Arbëria was the first Albanian state during the Middle Ages. The proclamation of the feudal state of Arbëria, in the north of Albania, with Kruja as the capital took place on 1190. As the founder of this state is known Progoni and later on Gjini and Dhimiter....
from the Progon Dynasty, reigning from 1208 to 1216. He succeeded his brother Gjin Progoni
Gjin Progoni
Gjin Progoni was a archon of Kruja, in present-day Albania ca 1200 until his death in 1208. He succeeded his father, Progon, becoming the second ruler of the House of Progon. He was succeeded himself by his younger brother Dhimitër.-See also:...
and brought the principality to its maximum. Western sources of the time attribute him with the titles judex (judge) and princeps Arbanorum (prince of the Albanians), while Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
records refer to him as megas archon (grand lord). In 1208 he married Komnena Nemanjić, daughter of the Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n King Stefan Nemanjić, he secured a brief peace with Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. Dhimitër also earned the exalted Byzantine title panhypersebastos.
Dhimitër’s marriage with Nemanja’s daughter did not rule out the risk of a Serbian expansion toward the Albanian domains. However, in 1204, the most serious threat came from the Venetian Duchy of Dyrrhachium, a Latin entity formed after the Fourth Crusade
Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade was originally intended to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Instead, in April 1204, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and conquered the Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire...
in the former territories of the Byzantine Empire. In search for allies, Dhimitër signed a treaty with the Republic of Ragusa
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
in 1209 and began negotiations with Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
regarding his and his subjects’ conversion to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
. This is considered a tactful move, which Dhimitër undertook to establish ties with Western Europe against Venice.
Dhimitër had no son to succeed him. After his death, his wife, Komnena, married an Albanian noble, Grigor Kamona
Grigor Kamona
Gregory Kamonas was a Greek-Albanian archon of Kroja and Elbasan, between 1216 and 1253. He married Serbian princess Komnena Nemanjić, the daughter of King Stefan Nemanjić, and widow of the Prince of Arbër Dhimitër Progoni, thus inheriting the rule and securing it through an Orthodox alliance...
, who later became Prince of Albania. His closest ally was an archon named Dhimiter Gaba the 3rd.
See also
- History of AlbaniaHistory of AlbaniaThe history of Albania emerges from the prehistoric stage from the 4th century BC, with early records of Illyria in Greco-Roman historiography. The modern territory of Albania has no counterpart in antiquity, comprising parts of the Roman provinces of Dalmatia , Macedonia , and Moesia Superior...
- Monarchs of Albania