Voting Station

Skanderbeg

Please vote to return to collections.

Patriot

The Resume

    (May 7, 1405-January 17, 1468)
    Birth name was Gjergj Kastrioti
    Skanderbeg derives from Skenderbeu, which is an Albanian pronunciation of Iskander Bey (Lord Alexander in Turkish)
    Distinguished military officer for the Ottoman Empire
    Fought for Albania independence from the Turks (1443)
    The Turkish sultan Mehmed II settled on a truce and acknowledged him as Lord of Albania (1461)
    Died of natural causes

Why he might be annoying:

    He fought against the army he served in. Albanians see this as a noble and patriotic act, but technically, this makes him a military deserter and traitor.
    Twelve years after his death, the Turks reconquered Albania.
    After that, the Turks found his grave, opened it, and used his bones as good luck charms.
    Ironically, even though he was a devout Christian, 70% of Albanians are now Muslim, like the Turks.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He is the national hero of Albania.
    In addition to freeing his country, he temporarily prevented a Turkish invasion of southern Italy.
    With an army under 20,000, he managed to fight off against one of the most powerful world powers of the time.
    In a period of 25 years, 2 Ottoman sultans had to come out of Istanbul and personally lead the Turkish army to fight the Albanians, only to be defeated.
    He successfully defended his hometown of Kruje 24 times.
    The kingdoms of Venice, Naples, and Aragon as well as the Pope where so impressed with his uprising that they supported him financially.
    His castle is now a museum, the Museum of Skanderbeg, in Kruje, Albania.

Credit: Vereenyce


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 166 Votes: 52.41% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 223 Votes: 62.33% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 94 Votes: 56.38% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 115 Votes: 56.52% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 144 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 59 Votes: 62.71% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 90 Votes: 62.22% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 18 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 24 Votes: 70.83% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 52 Votes: 59.62% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 104 Votes: 59.62% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 180 Votes: 59.44% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 113 Votes: 37.17% Annoying