Revision 1618836 of "Familja Meksi" on sqwiki

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It is proved from several documents that Meksi family, date 11 centuries ago and may be more, based on the endless geographical area where they have been located that starts with Mesi village in between “Shkumbini and Drini River” and it is from Venediku up to the far islands of Greece. Meksi surname it is the initial branch of the noble family Buas-> Gjin Bue Shpata, General Merkurio Bua, Pietro Bua etc (Vasil Meksi. Family Meksi, Athens, 1995. f. 77). The famous Albanolog Milan Shufflay found in the land bureau of Shkodra of the year 1416, that the region between Kepit të Rodonit (Rodoni Cape), Kruja and Lesha was inhabited from Messi families, Meksi, Mexi. The furthest origin should be Mesi village located, according to Serbian historian Stefan Nemania, in the area between Shkumbini and Drini river. The Meksi family name may be as a result of function, rank or post. Warriers of Meksi family supports in fights  Romans, Bizants emperors and Epiri despots. There were also part of personal guards of famous Komnens. During the period of successful wars of Albanian people for freedom under the lead of Gjergj Kastriotit - Skënderbeut, Meksi family gave a precious contribution which has been proved by different documents of that time (History of Albania, Tirana,1979). Immediately after the invasion of Albania from the ottomans, Meksi family was settled in different directions,  Menjëherë pas pushtimit të plotë të Shqipërisë nga hordhitë turke, fisi Meksi u zhvendos në disa drejtime: Dalmacia, Venedik, Italy, Moravi (Checz Republic) and mainly in the south. A branch of Meksi family was settled in Dalmacia in 1449. Afterwards in (1553), Meksi can be found in the catalogues of noble familes of Kotorri, castle city in the Republic of Venedik. Venice documents prove that warriers of Meksi family settled in Dalmacia fought in the units of the Republic against the Ottomans invaders. The emblem  (blazon) of Meksajve who lived and fought in Kotorr city is light blue with a golden stripe. Other branches of Meksi family were settled in other cities of Venetik (Venice, Verona, Feltre, Trieste). Warriers of Meksi family offered military services to the Republic of Venedik, mainly noticed for the war of Venediko-Turkish of 1465. Initially the family had the last name as Mexis, and later on was De Mezzi or Mezan. The last name of this family changed according to language of the countries they have lived in. In Albania it is used ks (Meksi) and Buziki, Buzuk- Gjon Buzuku, in Italy s, ss (Mesi, Messi, the famous football player, Lionel Messi). In the regions in Middle Ages which have been invaded by the Venediku or moved to Italy ss (Messi, Da Messa), in the Republic of Venedik according to local dialect, z or zz (De Mezzi, Da Mezan) and in Kotor of Dalmacia x (Mexa) and Busichi, Busichio, the most famous were Meksa Busichio, Peregrino, Piero, Zorzi etc. One of the emblems of the family living in Venedik has a castle with 3 towers under which it is written in a ribbon Mexis last name. the other one has a bridge with two arches on the top of which there is a hand with the indicator finger on. It is reasonable to link the bridge of the emblem with the famous bridge of Mesi, near the village with the same name from where, says Shufflay and others should be the origin of Meksi family. Meksi-DeMezzi family in Venice were part the the council of nobles of the city being registered since 1759 “ in the catalogue of officials of the Republic of Venetik” Meksi-Mezzan Family in Feltre was registered as one of the noble families of the city since 1557. Nikolla Meksi-Mezzan was the governer of Venedik in Peloponez.44 A branch of Meksi family was settled in Rome. The bishop Bernardo De Meza (Meksi) was representative of the Rome Emperor in England (1521-1523) Meksajt settled in the Chezch Republic preserved their last name for a long time. Amongst them was famous Vasil Meksi, chief of notary and lecturer of theology; Xhovani-Andrea Meksi, dean of the Saint Peter school in Brunn city; Amadeo-Paolo and Paolo-Salvatore Meksi, deans of the Justice Faculty and Knights of the Malta Order and Free Mason/Grand Master. Most of Meksi family has moved slowly towards South, by leaving clear traces on the way. Members of Meksi Family settled in Greece in different periods of time, starting mainly after X1V-XV centuries. They were mainly focused in, Athens, Korint and in the islands of Speces, Leonidhis and Corfu. Many documents prove the contribution given by Meks-ajt of Greece, in particular during the insurgency of 1821 against the ottomans. In particular famous during this time was Theodhori Meksi, officer of the Greek maritime in the fight for the freedom of Peloponez. Jorgo Meksi, one of captains of people from Athens took over Akropoli from the Ottomans in 1822. Meksi family that lives in the Spece island is still carrying the letter through which famous members of the revolution Kollokotroni and Marko Boçari, acknowledged Joanis Meksi, for his fights against the ottomans. In the National Greek Museum, alongside herous of revolution of 1821 can also be found the officer Kristo Meksi 1794-1832, ( mason, Llozha Anleze-GLE), commander of an important unit of the revolution (Vasil Meksi. Materials collected from General Archive of Greece Athens, 1981. f.147). During the centuries XIX-XX there have been many Meksi families of Greece which played an important role as politicians, diplomats, commercials, lawyers, theologists, doctors, journalists, etc. from 1878, establishment of Lidhjes së Prizrenit, until November 1912, the independence day through the the Flag in Vlora, many Meksi families have given an important contribution to achieve the big dream of the Albanian population, to have back their deserved freedom. In particular Petro Meksi, who led all actions of the Lidhjes (relations) in the southern parts and declared globally that “the orthodox of south should not divide their destinies from those of their muslim brothers.” Setting National Flag in Vlora was as a result of an intensive activity chaired by Ismail Qemali and Luigj Gurakuqi. In their team Polo Meksi dhe Kristo Meksi were also members and they were living from a long time in Bucarest Rumania and they accompanied Ismail Qemalin and Luigj Gurakuqin in their historical route towards Vlora. Kristo Meksi as proved from the materials of this book, was an active part of National Assembly of Vlora and he was also one of the people who signed  the final act. Kristo Meksi was involved in temporary government of Vlora and in the one of Vidi Prince whereas Polo Meksi was assigned Judge in the Southern cities. Later on we see Petro Meksi active in the brigade of Mihal Grameno with the tenent rank and was decorated after the war in 1962, with the event of 50 years of independence. His son Prokop Meksi was active in the National War. He was murdered by Italians in Durres 1943 but his name was always remembers it set up units of partisans with his name. We emphasize though that another heroe from Meksi family is Sofo Meksi mentioned in the famous song “Lule Sofo, lule djalë”, which was sang throughout the country. If Dr. Apostol Panajot Meksi is considered as one of the first Albanians working on the Folclor, his son Dhimitri comprehensive intellectual was one the the people collecting materials and stydying the folclor for the regional of Cameria. He was a medicine student in Athens  (1858) where he started to exchange writing with De Raden, famous Arberesh writer. Before the World War I, but also after the war, the greed of neighbor countries reached their peak by putting in dangers seriously living interest of Albania. The whole country stood up to oppose the change of borders of Albania. From Meksi family engaged in this sensitive time of the Albanian country was involved the famous journalist, the reisenance Jorgji Meksi, and lawyer Aleks Meksi. They arrested by Greek jandermery ( 1913) because they denounced universally the Greek chauvinist objectives. Petro Meksi Vasil took active part with his rifle in hand the war of Vlora, 1920, which ended with the great victory against the Italian invaders, and it was vital for National independence and sovereignty of the Albanian State. All three Meksaj committed themselved to a great patriotic event before and during the Turkish invasion. Petro V. Meksi, moreover, Gavril Meksi has been an outstanding researcher and Albanian patriot. His deeds on the history of the National Flag, the revolts of 1847 against the Ottomans, for Ali Pasha Tepelena and for Bajram Curri and Pelasgian problem, are contributions to scientific truths. He has made an exceptional contribution helping drafting of the first history of the Albanian people, thus continuing the early tradition of Meksi family.  Spiro Meksi (1851-1935). Once he finished the school in the village head to continue his studies in the high school "Zosimea" of Ioannina and then graduated at the Medical School of Istanbul University. He left the legal area and started to work as as family counselor for Esat Toptani. 
Vangjel Meksi (1770-1823), one of Ali Pasha's doctors, first translator of New Testament (1821) was born in Labovė around 1770. After completing high school in Ioannina Zosimea, he served in the army of Ali Pasha as artillery officer. Meksajt of Labova were a family with deep knowledge in practicing folk medicine tradition and Ali knew that. He selected Vangjel and sent him to Naples to graduate in medicine. On 23 February 1803 the future student crossed the Adriatic holding tight his Viziers’ recommendation for Ferdinnd of The Bourbon.
The vizier of Ionnina wrote to the King: 
“I am sending you Vangjel Meksi the Albanian, to study there. I beg your majesty to give royal protection in order for him to be granted facilitations and conditions which would help him learn this science.”  After 5 months with a particular interest Ali Pasha wrote again to the king og Naples: 
“I send you my appreciation for everything granted to him from the Sovereing and when he comes back to his fatherland after he benefited the knowledge and good behavior when acquiring such knowledge he will honor the name of the everlasting King.” For the grammar of Meksi it is only known that it was published before the year 1819. In this way it can be the first or the second one produced by an Albanian scholar, after that of E. Vithkuqarit (1814), sponsored by Liku and perhaps compiled along with it. In the same period Vangjel Meksi compiled a original alphabet and spelling of the Albanian language. It contained Greek-letter alphabet, but neolatine, to eliminate in a way the phonological differences between the two languages. For sounds that can not be represented by Greek letters, letters from the alphabet Meksi borrowed i.e: d, b, E, etc., or use a combination of letters and diacritical marks in the form of points above letter (V. Meksi ... etc.. p. 46). Zogu refused proposal for the post of Secretary-General of his kingdom, whereas during the fascist occupation he did not may offers for high posts. After liberation he was appointed Deputy / Attorney General for civil cases and later on started working in the legal office of the Primeminister. It should also be mentioned his contribution also acknowledged from various colleagues, in drafting the Constitution.  
Kristo Meksi is one of the first Albanian diplomats, in those years had correspondence with the patriots of Cameria and funded the publication of the newspaper Liria of Thesaloniki. In 1911 Kristo Meksi supported the uprising of Kosovo and went there to meet its heads. In his memories he writes: “ many talks in the assembly, I stayed with Mister Ismail Qemal Azis Pashė Vrionin ofGani bej Frashėrin” (newspaper Liri of Albania August 1911, number 15) Colonies of exile continued their independent patriotic activity and remained outside any external influence. During November-December 1906 it was achieved the union of all societies in Bucharest into a single culture, called "Bashkimi". The gathering at the house of Mr. Kristo Meksi NIFON street, number 12, after many debates founded a solution for the unification of all Albanians of Romania in a single society...” (AQSH, fond 99, file 116, page 2). In this case Hil Mosi from Klogenfurt wrote to Asdreni: “ Greetings from Kristo Meksi and Pandeli Evangjeli, these bright patriots”. On 7 December around 200 representatives of Colonianl Societes of Rumania (“Dituria”,“Drita” and “Shpresa”), after they declared their union, selected the chairman of the new Union Thoma Çamin and deputy  Kriso Meksin and Pandeli Evangjelin. Among its activists were Mihal Grameno, Asdreni etc.. Under the new statute, the society aimed to enhance Albanian culture, to publish books for schools teaching Albanian and help to keep the Albanian schools in Albania, as well as the opening of such schools in Bucharest.. In May 1907, upon the the initiative of Kristo Meksi, etc., was founded in Bucharest the committee of Albania “For the freedom of Albania” and it was published its statute,“Kanonizma”. On 27 October 1912, along with Luigj Gurakuqi and 25 other Albanians, hosted in Bucharest Ismail Qemali who was coming from Turkey the same day. On 5 November the Albanian colony of Bucharest hosted the meeting in the presence of Ismail Qemali and on behalf of Albanian of Bucharest, Kristo Meksi promised financial aid to Ismail Qemalit to help achievement of Independece. Kristo Meksi along with Luigj Gurakuqin, accompanied Ismail Qemali in Albania and took part in the National Assembly of Vlora on 28 November 1912, same day that Albania declared independence from Turkey and he was one of the final people to sign the final act (History of Albia, II, f.510). in the gathering of the National Assembly on 4 December 1912, Kristo Meksi was selected member of the senate (the jury), along with other famous patriots such as BabėDudė Karbunara, Mustafa Kruja, Myfti Vehbi  Dibra, Eqerem Vlora, etc. K.Meksi represented the provisional government of Vlora on the Albanian congress held in Trieste on February 16, 1913, where he was hosted with great praise and applauds from delegates. In his speech he was confident that provisional government would soon set borders of Albania, and the country would be organized as an independent one. In 1914 Kristo Meksi was advisor of Prince Wied (newspaper La nazione albanese, number 11, year 1914). During government of Zogu he worked as a counselor for a short time due to immediate blindeness. He died in Tirana around 1930.  Apostol Meksi along with Konstandin Kristoforidhin, and later only Apostol Meksi, must have been the tip of the iceberg of the patriotic movement developed in Ioannina in particular about it. Frequent rebellions in southern Albania, which mainly included the Tepelena and Cameria, until the year 1847 approached the gates of Ioannina, directed and supported from within that city.
Nowdays famous members of Meksi family are: Stipe Mesic, the President of Croatia, Prof.Dr. Aleksander Meksi, Prime Minister of Albania, Prof.Dr. Sokrat Meksi, Prof.Dr.Fedhon Meksi, Vladimir Meksi, Deputy Minister, Ermelinda Meksi, Deputy Prime Minister, Mira Meksi, Famous Internatioal writet and translater, Marin Meksi, Diplomat and International Bodybuilding Champion.

Vangjel Zhapa Meksi was born on 23 August 1800. He is the son of Vasil and Sotir Zhapes Meksi, who was a soldier in the garrison of Ali Pasha, from where he later on broke away and joined the insurgents suliots. Zhapa continued his anti ottoman fight even after the death  of Marko Bocari under the command of Zervës, and other leaders of the antiturkish uprising. He was awarded the silver medal, "for contribution in the fight for independence of Greece" and the rank of captain given by the King., which is confirmed by the Foreign Minister of Greece, L. Deligeorges, in a letter that bears the date 31 December 1890. Vangjel Zhapës participation in the uprising of Greece against the antiturkish caught the attention of the Turks, who arrested the mother, Sotira Meksi, already at an old age and seized the wealth. Complexity of this figure, language difficulties, and many countries where there may be found bibliographic information, Vangjeli was commemorated with special distinction in May 1971, when it was inaugurated the Sports Museum of Romania. Olympic Games are the oldest event in the sport world. Their origin dates from  the ancient Greeks and they were conducted until the AD 392, this year when these games were destroyed by a Roman emperor. Upon termination of these games 15 centuries would pass to restart these sports. In the library of the International Olympic Academy there are facts that prove documents proving that one of the prominent figures who contributed to the revival of the Olympic Games was Vangjel Zhapa, the philanthrop from Great Labova. Although he was living then in Romania, he Greece to undertake such an initiative, as it was once the center of the Ancient Olympic Games and that it had gained independence earlier. In 1856, leaders of the Greek government received a letter from a man who supported morally and materially the Olympics. This Letters had been delivered to all authorities  in Athens and the Greek consulate in Bucharest. Vangjel Zhapa, takes over before the  king the revival of the Olympic Games, their development as they used to be developed. On the bottom of the letter Zhapa requested to have the start of these games in Athens in 1859. In 1856, it was published in the Greek press a great article: Vangjel Zhapa, the man who undertakes to pay all the expenses for the rebirth of Olympimics .... In 1858, Vangel Zhapa, in a petition sent to King Othon told him that he would donate to the Greek government 400 shares he had in the company of Navigation of Romania, to establish the Athens Olympic Institute, which will periodically organize sports competitions, starting in 1859. Later, additional to that Zhapa added to the offer 3000 gold napolons. Vangjel Zhapës gifts initiated the release of a special royal decree in 1856, upon which accepted this gift and it was appointed a committee to organize the Olympic and encourage the national industry. Vangjel Zhapa in order to create conditions accompanying manifestations sports competitions to take place normally, designed the construction of a complex building in downtown Athens. Four years after the death of Zhapës (1865), the Greeks gave permission for construction in the center of their capital a premise and  baptized it "ZAPPION", in honor of Vangjel who gave valuable contribution to the revival of the Olympic Games.
The Albanian immigrant, Vangjel Zhapa had goals for the education of girls with the moral virtues of modern society, since the Middle Ages had left them shy. Zhapa designed projects for the opening of the females school in Constantinople, Adrianople and Great Labovë, based on the best schools of the Hellenic state.

There also didn’t lack support for poor country. Zhapa took care for it in his testament for schools of Leklit, Kakozit, Karjanit, Nivanit, Permet Dhrovjanit, Delvina, Filat of Qeparoi. In testament stipulated that each year a fund to help these schools, a figure of 1200 gold frangs per year. The Albanian who left his countr only 13 years old, has sponsored the publication of two Albanian language primers prepared from the precursor of our National Renaissance, Naum Veqilharxhi in Bucharest. Equally, this great person, funded the publication of the newspaper in Albanian "Pellazgu" that was issued in Lamia, Greece, in 1859-1861. In 1860, Zhapa built in Great Labovë a school, which in 1921 ran as a normal teaching course, which was prepared by 94 teachers for primary schools in southern Albania. The charity made ​​available to the Romanian state a considerable amounts of money for the publication of the Romanian literary language vocabulary. Romanian Army benefited from him 50 thousand gold Napoleons to equip it with a cannon battery with winding barrel, the latest product of that time. Palace "Zappion", built with funds of Vangjel Zhapës, is another gift of the Balkans. His project was entrusted to the French architect, Bulanzhe, while implementing the Danish engineer, Theofil Van Hasen. His construction lasted 14 years and the opening cordon was cut by his cousin, Kostandin Zhapa, coming from Romania, on 20 October 1888. Fairly, people from Athens called this building "gold jewelery" of their city. This palace had 15 exhibition rooms, which occupy an area of 2500 square meters. This building is surrounded by a splendid environment filled with marble statues carved from best architects of the time. This is a stunning work that impresses millions of visitors from around the world. For construction of this work it was spent 28 million gold frangs. Whereas for the coverage of the Olympic exhibitions every four years, for  awards and golden crown given to the winners, and immediate reward for his joy and national pride,it was used all annual rents of the inheritance of the estate Zhapës Vangjel, consisting primarily of property in Romania, with a lot of gold Napoleons 12,000 per year. Greek state, in honor and respect of two cousins ​​Zhapa perpetuated  their images by building their monuments of marble, set on both sides of the central entrance to the palace. Besides this palace, Vangjel Zhapa and other charitable Albanians such as Arsaqi Apostol, Jorgj and Simon Sina, by Permeti, Mr Banga, from Korca and Jani Dhima from  Himara, along with dozens of other benefactors living at that time, among whom the elder Georges Averof mecovit , who poured out their treasure considerable amounts to build public works such as the University of Athens, National Library, Polytechnic Academy, Conservatory Theatre,  "Arsaqi",school, museums, etc.. Frenchman Gaston De Shaps was attracted by so many works, and is not the only foreigner. Naturally arises the question: Who built these works? Who has paid architects, entrepreneurs, workers for their construction? Greek scholar Alexander Farmaqi, citing the large number of benefactors of Epirus, among other things, writes: "No piece of land of the Greek mainland gave birth to so many charitable as Epirus”.


On the other hand, Vangjel Zhapës name, according to Greek MP, Sotiropullos, was written with the names of other men, the greatest benefactors of Greece, in the Greek parliament hall.

When a flood destroyed the water mills in Romania, but without touching the ones of  Vangjel and Kostandin Zhapës, they didn’t think for their own profits, but helped with all their heart, most of whom were native Romanian. Vangjel Zhapa, in the manors of Vllahi, developed a program for the renaissance of Labovës, his birthplace. Under this program, the school was built with two levels according to the contemporary time along with dormitory, which would shelter the remote students. Vangjel Zhapa with his giver soul, gave assistance for the poor at home and beyond. 50 poor Labovite families were treated with 250 gold napoleons annual aid, and many poor native girls were married with Zhapa funds.
Extraordinary wealth of Vangjel Zhapës, initated the tensions between Greek - Romania relations, until their termination in the years 1892-1896. According testament "Zhapa" Vangjel’s wealth would recognixe as heirs "State of the Greek kingdom with some set of conditions and not make changes." There are documents which are reflected in letters sent to the President Court of First Instance of the Hellenic state Ilfovit in Romania, signed by the Charge d'Affaires of the Kingdom of Greece A.Tombazis; another letter addressed from the the Hellenic state to the Jalomicës Tribunal, and signed by the Chief Prosecutors : B.Gamesku and M.Kornea; multiple protests charged brought tensions between the two embassies of respective countries, etc.. In these circumstances, the Greek state was forced to seek the help of the Great Powers. Principles signed of authentication in international conferences, became mandatory.
After his death, Greek rulers of the time, besides the wealth were also greedy to have  personality Zhapën Vangjel as polyform, Greek hero of the revolution and the greatest Mogul Eastern Europe. But, they wanted Zhapas as a Greek, of Greek origin, Greek parents, born in a village that was in a Greek province. So they wanted Labovën, although it is a province located in the deep of the Albanian lands. 
Unfortunately, this is the history of Vangjel Zhapa and not only in many Greek publications, but also other languages. His hundred percent Albanian affiliation and pure Albanian ethniticy. 
There is an order of Enver Hoxha of 1955, for Primeminister Mehmet Shehu: use all state mechanisms to make properties of Vangjel Zhapës come to Albania. It was an amount of 800 million dollars that was administered by Patriakana of Istanbul, whose only owner was great Gjirokastriti from Labova, Vangjel Zhapa. Albanian state through brokerage companies started the necessary procedures, which never succeeded.
Foreign Ministry engaged the attorney Arqiviadh Lamani to verify family tree and close to Vangjel. This, together with the family tree of Zhapa was trusting to his relative Jani Malos. Meanwhile, Albania's ambassador in Turkey Lik Seiti, continued interest in performing their duties of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Albanian state involved in return of high fees (20% of the amount) a Turkish lawyer called Aqif Akçu.
. 
Many questions arise on the failure of these efforts. Our commissioners spoke on behalf of state and the never represented legitimate heirs of this property. Albania was a communist country and can not trust  anyone's private property, even less with larger amount, for reasons known that this regime of nationalizing private property, then the alter in contravention with Human Rights. 

Merkurio Bua , Count of Aquino and Roccasecca (Nafplion 1478 – Treviso c. 1542) was an Albanian nobleman and a famed condottiero (stratioti captain) and commander of the Venetian army.
Born in Nafplion in the Peloponnese Bua was a member of Albanian Bua and Arianiti families. His father was Theodore Bua, also a stradioti, co-warrior of Krokodeilos HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Krokodeilos_Kladas"  HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Krokodeilos_Kladas"Kladas. His uncle Constantine Arianiti, a nobleman of the Holy Roman Empire, was the Count of Montferrat.[3] Due to his martial prowess, he was eventually made Count of Aquino and Roccasecca (of the Holy Roman Empire). In 1519, he married the Albanian Maria Boccali, the daughter of Niccolò Boccali.[3] Maria died in 1524 leaving one son with the name Flavio. She was buried in Santa Maria di Treviso. In 1525 Mercurio married Elisabetta, daughter of Alvise Balbi. With her Mercurio had four children: Helena Maria, Curio, Polyxena and Alessandro. Elizabeth died in or before 1528
The life of Bouas' had been dramatised in the works of Tzanes Koronaios. Koronaios, who had been stradiotto-troubadour of Zantiote origin, was a companion of Merkourios Bouas. In his work, a long epic poem in vernacular Greek on the exploits of Merkourios Bouas, Koronaios gives Bouas' mythological pedigree, which includes Achilles, Alexander the Great and Pyrrhus. The language of the poem, the pedigree and other allusions, give an indication of the process of Hellenization of the Albanian stradioti.[5]
M. Bua died in Treviso, (Italy), between 1527 and 1562, where earlier he served as captain of a unit of 50 soldiers. He is buried in Santa Maria Maggiore in the same city. In 1562 a marble monument was erected on his tomb, made by Antonio Lombardo. In 1637 the following inscription was made on the monument:
"Mercurio Bua Comiti E. Principibus Peloponnesi
Epirotarum Equitum Ductori,
Anno Salu. MDCXXXVII."

Which means "To Count Mercurio Bua, Prince of Peloponnesus, Leader of the Epirote Horsemen, Year of our Salvation, 1637". The monument also lists some of his military career.[6 HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mercurio_Bua"] HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mercurio_Bua"[7]
Bua's life and heroic achievements were hymned in a very long epic poem written in vernacular Greek language by Tzanes (Ioannes) Coroneos. The latter was born in Zakynthos (western Greek island) and is assumed that was a stratioti-troubadour. This poem was found in a manuscript in Italy and was published partially by C. Hopf and entire by K. Sathas. It was written in 1519 when Coroneos was in Venice and refers to Bua's history till 1517. It consists of about 4.500 rhyming verses and contains valuable historical information. Coroneos wrote and sent to Bua also a smaller poem (“pittakion”) of about 125 verses in Greek language, too. [8 HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mercurio_Bua"] HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mercurio_Bua"[9]
Another, younger Mercurio Bua, according to a report in the Histoire des guerres civiles de France by Enrico  HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Enrico_Caterino_Davila"Caterino HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Enrico_Caterino_Davila" Davila, was active in the service of the king of France in the 1580s. He was present as a commander of a unit of Albanian light cavallery at the Battle of  HYPERLINK "http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Battle_of_Coutras"Coutras in 1587, leading an ill-fated cavallery charge that led to his unit being diverted away from the decisive action, thus contributing to a catastrophic defeat of the royal army
Laskarina Bouboulina
Bouboulina was born in a prison in Constantinople; she originated from the Arvanite community of the island of Hydra. She was the daughter of Stavrianos Pinotsis, a captain from Hydra island, and his wife Skevo. The Ottomans had imprisoned Pinotsis for his part in the failed Orlof HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlof_Revolution" Revolution of 1769–1770 against the Ottoman rule. Her father died soon afterward and the mother and child returned to Hydra. They moved to the island of Spetses four years later when her mother married Dimitrios Lazarou-Orlof. Bouboulina had eight half-siblings.
She married twice, first Dimitrios Yiannouzas and later the wealthy shipowner and captain Dimitrios Bouboulis, taking his surname. Bouboulis was killed in battle against Algerian pirates in 1811. Now 40 years old, Bouboulina took over his fortune and his trading business and had four more ships built at her own expense, including the large warship Agamemnon.
In 1816, the Ottomans tried to confiscate Bouboulina's property because her second husband had fought for the Russians against the Turks in the Turko HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Turkish_War_(1806%E2%80%931812)"-Russian wars. She sailed to Constantinople to meet Russian ambassador Count Pavel  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Stroganov"Stroganov and seek his protection. In recognition of Bouboulis's service to the Russians, Strogonov sent her to safety in Crimea. She also met with the mother of Mahmud II, who afterward reportedly convinced her son to leave Bouboulina's property alone. After three months of exile in the Crimea, Bouboulina returned to Spetses.
Allegedly Bouboulina joined the Filiki HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filiki_Etaireia"  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filiki_Etaireia"Etaireia, an underground organization that was preparing Greece for revolution against Ottoman rule. She would have been one of few women but she is not named in historical members lists.[5] She bought arms and ammunition at her own expense and brought them secretly to Spetses in her ships, to fight "for the sake of my nation." Construction of the ship Agamemnon was finished in 1820. She bribed Turkish officials to ignore the ship's size and it was later one of the largest warships in the hands of Greek rebels. She also organized her own armed troops, composed of men from Spetses. She used most of her fortune to provide food and ammunition for the sailors and soldiers under her command.
On 13 March 1821 Bouboulina raised on the mast of Agamemnon her own Greek flag, based on the flag of the Comnenus dynasty of Byzantine emperors. The people of Spetses revolted on 3 April and later joined forces with ships from other Greek islands. Bouboulina sailed with eight ships to Nafplion and began a naval blockade. Later she took part in the naval blockade and capture of Monemvasia and Pylos.[citation needed] Her son Yiannis Yiannouzas died in May 1821, in battle at Argos against superior numbers of Ottoman troops.
She arrived at Tripolis in time to witness its fall on 11 September 1821 and to meet general Theodoros HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodoros_Kolokotronis"  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodoros_Kolokotronis"Kolokotronis. Their children Eleni Boubouli and Panos HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panos_Kolokotronis"  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panos_Kolokotronis"Kolokotronis later married. During the ensuing defeat of the Ottoman garrison, Bouboulina saved most of the female members of the sultan's household
When the opposing factions erupted into civil war in 1824, the Greek government arrested Bouboulina for her family connection with now-imprisoned Kolokotronis; the government also killed her son-in-law. Eventually she was exiled back to Spetses. She had exhausted her fortune for the war of independence
After her death, Emperor Alexander I of Russia granted Bouboulina the honorary rank of Admiral of the Russian Navy, making her, until recently, the only woman in world naval history to hold this title. Her descendants sold the ship Agamemnon to the Greek state, which renamed it Spetsai. It was burned by Andreas  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Miaoulis"Miaoulis along with the frigate Hellas and the corvette Hydra in the naval base of Poros, during the next Greek civil war in 1831.[clarification needed]
On the island of Spetses the "Bouboulina Museum" is housed in the 300-year-old mansion of Bouboulina's second husband Bouboulis, where her descendants still live. Her statue stands in the harbor in Spetses. Various streets all over Greece and Cyprus are named in her honor, notably Bouboulina Street near the National Technical University of Athens (the Polytechnion) and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, in central Athens, and also in Piraeus and in Nicosia.
Bouboulina was depicted on the reverse of both the Greek 50 drachmae banknote of 1978 and the Greek 1 drachma coin of 1988-2001.[6]
A Greek fiction film, Bouboulina, was made in 1959, directed and written by Kostas Andritsos and starring Irene Papas.
Ego Y Laskarina, a play starring Greek actress Mimi  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mimi_Denisi&action=edit&redlink=1"Denisi (el) was produced in 1999.
A documentary film, The Brave Stepped Back: The Life and Times of Laskarina Bouboulina was made about her in 2005, and shown at the Armata HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Armata_Festival&action=edit&redlink=1" Festival in Spetses, Greece.[7]
Gjin Bua Spata-John Spata (Albanian: Gjin Shpata; fl. 1358 – 29 October, 1399) was an Albanian ruler in western Greece with the title of Despot. Together with Peter  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Losha"Losha, he led raids into Epirus, Acarnania and Aetolia in 1358. He was recognized as Despot by titular Serbian Emperor Simeon  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_Uro%C5%A1"Uroš in the early 1360s and ruled Aetolia (1360s–?), Angelokastron (?–1399), Naupactus (1378–99), and Arta (1370s–99).
The word spata means "sword" (Albanian shpatë,[1] from Greek spatha), thus, Hammond believes that he was called "John the Sword".[2] Karl  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Hopf"Hopf's genealogy of the Spata family is "altogether inaccurate".[3] According to it, his father was Pietro, the lord of Angelokastron and Delvina (1354)[4] during the reign of Emperor  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Du%C5%A1an"Dušan. It is known that Spata had a brother, Sgouros HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgouros_Spata"  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgouros_Spata"Spata.
The migration wave into Epirus and Thessaly in the first half of the 14th century included Albanians and Vlachs;[5] Albanian historians consider him Albanian,[6] while a Vlach (Aromanian) origin has also been given by historians;[6] Croatian historian Milan  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan_%C5%A0ufflay"Šufflay (1879–1931) spoke of an Albano-Aromanian symbiosis in the Pindus, and discussed the nationality of the Losha, Bua and Shpata.[7]
1358–71
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.[5] In 1358, Albanians and Vlachs overran Epirus, Acarnania and Aetolia, and subsequently established two principalities under their leaders, John Spata and Peter  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Losha"Losha.[1]
Nikephoros HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Orsini" II  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Orsini"Orsini launched a campaign against the invading Albanians,[8] and also faced with the threat of Radoslav HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radoslav_Hlapen"  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radoslav_Hlapen"Hlapen to the north, he negotiated with Simeon  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_Uro%C5%A1"Uroš, presumably to prevent Simeon's Albanian allies from supporting the Albanians in Epirus.[8] The negotiations were thwarted by Nikephoros' death fighting the Albanians at  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Achelous_(1359)"Acheloos HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Achelous_(1359)" (1359).[9]
1371–80
The Despot of Ioannina, Thomas  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Preljubovi%C4%87"Preljubović, had betrothed his daughter to Losha's son in 1370, satisfying the Albanians and ending the conflict between them.[11] In 1374, however, Peter Losha died of the plague in Arta, after which John Spata took the city. At this time he was not bound by agreement to Thomas, and so he laid siege to Ioannina and ravaged the countryside. Thomas brought peace when he betrothed his sister Helena to John Spata the following year.[11] Attacks on Ioannina continued, however, by the Malakasioi, who were defeated twice by Thomas in 1377 and 1379.[11]
In 1376 or 1377, Spata conquered Nafpaktos; by this time he controlled Arta and much of southern Epirus and Acarnania.[12] The Achaean Knights  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Hospitaller"Hospitallers of Juan Fernandez de Heredia began their invasion of Epirus, moving onto John Spata, capturing Nafpaktos, and then Vonitsa in Acarnania (April 1378). However, Spata managed to capture Heredia, ending their campaign; he was again master of Nafpaktos by 1380.[12] In May 1379, John Spata again devastated the countryside of Ioannina.[13]
In 1380, Thomas made an offensive with the help of Turks reaching up to the upper Kalamas HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamas_River" River, where however, the Albanians and particularly the Vlach Mazarakioi held firm.[1]
1381–99
In 1385 Thomas Preljubović was killed by some of his bodyguards.[1] John attacked Ioannina, but was unsuccessful in cracking the defense set up by Esau de'  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esau_de%27_Buondelmonti"Buondelmonti.[14] The two made peace, but soon returned to conflict.[14] In 1386, Esau gained Ottoman military help.[14] The Ottomans were, after the Battle of Kosovo (1389), unable to assist Esau, thus, the Albanians seized the opportunity and raided the environs of Ioannina in the summer.[14] The Malakasioi then raided into the territory, after which they concluded alliance with Spata.[14] Esau then allied himself with the caesar of Thessaly (either Alexios Angelos or Manuel), who defeated the Albanians, presumably Spata and the Malakasioi, later that year.[14]
In 1396, Esau married John Spata's daughter, Irene.[14]
Spata died on 29 October 1399, under the continuous pressure of Preljubović and Tocco, whose son would become the next despot of Epirus.
The scholar Richard Hutchinson distinguished that the Greek epic hero Drakokardhos ("dragonheart"), lord of Patras, was either inspired by the Albanians of the 14th century and John Spata or the Turks of that time.[15]After the Albanian academic Gjergji Shuka distinguished the origin of some South Slavic (Jovan i divski starešina, Marko Kraljević i Đemo Brđanin, Jana i Detelin voyvoda) and Albanian and legends and epic songs, such as Zuku Bajraktar, Dedalia dhe Katallani, Çika e plakut Emin agë vret në duel Baloze Delinë, and in the poem regarding Spata and the battle of Arta in 1378. The two enemies of John, Juan  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Fern%C3%A1ndez_de_Heredia"Fernández HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Fern%C3%A1ndez_de_Heredia" de Heredia and queen Joanna I of Naples, are remembered in Balkan collective memory.[16]
Simeon  HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_Uro%C5%A1"Uroš, the titular Serbian Emperor, recognized John Spata as Despot and ruler of Aetolia in the early 1360s
Hatzigiannis Mexis was born on Spetses in 1754 and was given the name "hadj"[hatzi] while visiting the Holy Lands. He acquired a considerable fortune and became famous.
In 1818 he received the title of "Nazir"(First among first) of Spetses by the Sultan, with the right to appoint and/or fire the beys. 
He was the first to promote the revolution in Spetses, Hydra and Psara. His ships "Epameinondas", "Themistoklis", and "Periklis" has taken action against the Turkish fleet even before the revolution.
His heroism during the naval battle of Spetses, on September 8th, 1822 was acknowledged by the whole nation. He continued his political activity after the end of the Revolution, becoming State Conselor, Senator, Proxy and Chief of Spetses. He died in 1844. 
In 1924 his house was declared a historical monument and today houses the Museum of Spetses.

The Buća (in Italian Bucchia) was a noble family that served the Republic of Ragusa, and one of the most important families to come out of Kotor. A cadet branch was admitted to the nobility of the Republic of Ragusa, another branch moved instead to Šibenik. The family is known in Serbo-Croatian sources as Buća (Cyrillic: Бућа), but also as Bućić or Bučić.[5]HYPERLINK  \l "[6] In Latin, Italian and French sources they are known in a variet of forms, mostly Bucchia or de Bucchia, but also Buchia, Buche, Buchi, Buchie, de Bucha, de Buchia, de Bucho, de Buça, Boce o Buca. Other scarcely found versions in Serbo-Croatian include Buča and Bućin.[7]
The family name seems to derive from the medieval name Buchius or Bucchius reported both in Dalmatia and earlier in various Italian locations.[citation needed] The first Bučić to be in the archives is a Jakov Bučić present in Kotor in 1186.[citation needed]
The first known Buća was Tripe Mihov (Trifun Buća, Трифун Бућа).[8] Kotoran families held high offices in the Serbian court, and the most notable was the Buča family,[8] while the most notable individual was Nikola Buća.[9] Nikola and Toma Pavlov, another notable Kotoran,[9] traded in salt.[10]
The Buća were among the wealthiest and most powerful of Kotor (Kingdom of Serbia and Serbian Empire). Founded later with the House of Drago, it gave rise to one of the most important families in the region: the House of Drago-Bučić.
A branch of the family moved to Sibenik in 1449, while another branch had earlier moved to Dubrovnik in the 14th century. The latter, between 1440 and 1640 counted 30 members of the Great Council, representing 1.36% of total.[11] In these two hundred years, they also got 27 senatorial positions (1.36%), five Rectors of the Republic (0.21%), five members of the Minor Council (0.23%), but were never Guards Justice.[12]
Kotoran branch became extinct in the 17th century, the Dubrovnik in the 19th century, but it seems that the branch from Šibenik still survives in Italy.
Nikola Buća (14th century), protovestiarios of Serbian Emperor Stephen Dušan (r. 1331-1355). It seems he was the first member of the family to be admitted to the Ragusan nobility, as requested by the Emperor. Jeronim Bučić (16th century) - From Kotor, was Bishop of local diocese since 1581. He edited an adaptation of The Life of St. Tryphon, adding four hymns. Vincenc and Dominik Bučić (16th century) - Brothers from Kotor, both Dominicans, were popular theologians, leaving several published and unpublished writings. The second was the confessor of Blessed Osanna of Cattaro and General Vicar for Dalmatia. Vincenc Bučić (17th century) - Bishop of Kotor from 1622 to 1656.