Strazimir I Balsha (r. 1362-1372) was the son and immediate successor of Balsha I (the attested founder of the Albanian Balsha principality). He ruled over the Balsha principality for one expansionist decade. His two other brothers, Gjergj I (George I Balsha) and Balsha II Balsha assisted him in governance, forming a medieval tetrarchy. In his early years, the territories ruled […]
Balsha I (thrived and ruled circa 1331-1362) was the earliest attested noble of the notable medieval Balsha family. He was the founder of the Balsha principality, an independent state with territories corresponding to current Montenegro and northern Albania. At times, Balsha state stretched into the southern tip of Bosnia and Croatia, across south Albania and Kosova. Life in the region […]
Lorik Cana remains one of the most accomplished players to wear Albania’s national jersey. Coming from Prishtinë in Kosovo, Cana was one of the first Albanians from Kosova to star for the Albanian national team. He was a member of a family noted in sports. His father, Agim Cana, had been a notable football player. Cana’s Early Career At a […]
Loro Boriçi (1922-1984) is one of the most important figures of Albanian football. Boriçi remains one of the most productive, prolific, and intelligent forwards in Albanian football history. He was also one of the most versatile football players to play for Albania and a true pioneer of modern, techno-tactical football. He was a great organizer with a broad vision of […]
Many consider Panajot Pano (1939-2010) the greatest Albanian football player. His precise strikes, powerful headers, and slick maneuvers turned him into the most prolific center-forward of Albanian domestic football. Specialists still consider him the most impeccable Albanian player ever. Early Career Panajot Pano was born in the seaside city of Durrës but grew as a footballer in the ranks of […]
Fatmir Frashëri (1941-2019) is one of the best fullbacks to play for the Albanian national football (soccer) team. He is still considered one of the best right-backs in the history of Albanian football. Unfortunately, he belonged to a lost generation of footballers who suffered setbacks and isolation under the Albanian communist regime. Early Career Frashëri started his football journey with […]
Many consider Qemal Vogli (1929-2004) the best Albanian goalkeeper ever. He was born in the small city of Kavajë, where he made his first steps in football. At 1.87 meters tall (6.1 feet), the notable goalkeeper was imposing enough to stand at the foundation of a good, solid defense. Vogli had the same age as the famous Russian goalkeeper Lev […]
Audoleon was king of the kingdom of Paeonia during the late IV-early III century B.C.E. He remains the most renowned king of Paeonia despite the lack of sources to solidly back up this claim. Audoleon’s early reign Audoleon succeeded his father Patraus to the throne of the Paeonian kingdom in about 310 B.C.E. Diodorus reports that this year Audoleon was […]
Eumenes of Cardia was born in c. 362 as the son of a waggoner in the Thracian Chersonesus (current Gallipoli). His father was a member of the highest local family in the peninsula. Unlike common belief, Eumenes was likely of Scythian origin and not Greek. He received a notable and extensive education in both literature and athletics. Eumenes’ father apparently […]
Illyria, especially the part corresponding to Albania, was in antiquity constantly involved in the affairs of other states. Because of their geostrategic position, Illyrian lands often hosted famous personalities in search of glory. In many cases, such personalities used the territory of Albania as a way to jumpstart their military careers. The following are the four most distinguished personalities of […]