Losha family
| Peter Losha | |
|---|---|
| Despot | |
| Reign | 1359–1374 |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | John Losha |
| Died | 1374 |
| Noble family | Losha |
| Issue | |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox Christianity |
| Occupation |
Nobility;
|
Nobility;
Peter Losha (Albanian: Pjetër Losha, Greek: Πέτρος Λέοσας, Pétros Léosas, Serbian Cyrillic: Петар Љош) was an Albanian nobleman in medieval Epirus, the leader of the Mazaraki and Malakasi clans, who served as the despot of Arta from 1359 until his death in 1374, mostly as vassal under Serbian magnates Simeon Uroš (1359–1366) and Toma Preljubović (1366–1367, 1370–1374), though at times independent (1367-1370). Peter and John Bua Spata had been given the title despot in 1359 by Simeon Uroš, the brother of deceased Emperor Stefan Dušan, following their victory over Nikephoros II Orsini, who had sought to recover Epirus.
Losha's genealogy or birth date is unknown. The word lios means "pockmark" in Albanian. Albanian historians consider him Albanian, while a Vlach (Aromanian) origin has also been given by some historians; Croatian historian Milan Šufflay (1879–1931) spoke of an Albano-Aromanian symbiosis in the Pindus, and discussed the nationality of the Losha, Bua and Shpata.
In the first half of the 14th century, mercenaries, raiders and migrants flooded into Greece (1325 and 1334 raids into Thessaly). These were known in Greek as Albanians, from their area of origin, but they also included Vlachs. In 1358, Albanians and Vlachs overran Epirus, Acarnania and Aetolia, and subsequently established two principalities under their leaders, John Spata and Peter Losha.
Losha led the Albanian force against Nikephoros II Orsini at the Battle of Achelous that won him the rule of Arta; he founded his domain around Arta with the help of the Mazaraki and Malakasi clans. The domains he gained after the battle also included Rogoi (modern Filippiada) and Amphilochia, as mentioned in the Chronicle of Ioannina. To emphasize his suzerainty over the rulers in Epirus, Simeon Uroš granted him the title of despot in 1359–60, which was possibly an act of mere recognition of his rule after the battle of Achelous.
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