Marino Barlezio Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum principis, Rome, Bernardino Vitali

Ilenia Maschietto

Printed book

This book relates the story and exploits of Gjergj Kastrioti, known as Skanderbeg (1405-1468). Albanian leader and patriot, and King of Epirus, he repeatedly blocked the Ottoman advance, defeating in numerous battles the massive Turkish army for whom he had fought in his youth. It was in fact Murad II who first called him İskender (Alexander) Bey (Turkish title), which was later transformed by the Albanese in Skënderbej. Between 1444 and his death, he led the efforts toward unification and independence of the territories of the mother country, thanks to his considerable military skills and marked field intelligence, which have made him a national hero of Albania and of the Albanians. The heraldic coat of arms with the double-faced eagle representing the Kastrioti family is featured on the Albanian national flag. He received certificates of esteem and the titles of Athleta Christi and Defender of the Faith from Pope Callixtus III for his incessant defense against the Ottoman Turks.

References and bibliography: EDIT 16 CNCE 4233; SBN BVEE012301; Sander 780; Daniele Danesi and Ilenia Maschietto, Catalogo del fondo Cesare Grassetti della Fondazione Giorgio Cini. (Florence: Olschki 2020), B7; Gegaj Athanase, L’ Albanie et l’invasion turque au XV siècle. (Louvain: Bureaux du recueil, Biliotheque de l’universite, 1937); Franca Petrucci, Castriota Giovanni, in Dizionario biografico degli italiani, XXII. (Rome: Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana, 1979), p. 221-222. For the ownership notes, see https://marciana.venezia.sbn.it/immagini- possessori/1532-michelangelo-da-ragusa and https://marciana. venezia.sbn.it/immagini-possessori/438-grassetti-cesare