Theodosivs
01-18-2007, 08:48 PM
This is an excerpt from The Balkan Wars: Conquest, Revolution, and Retribution from the Ottoman Era to the Twentieth Century and Beyond by André Gerolymatos
Page 112-113, 118
Although throughout the 19th century, the guerilla warfare of the Klepht was common throughout the Balkans, it had its roots in Albania. The Albanians have a reputation as military innovators, a distinction associated particularly with the Orthodox Christian Suliot tribe of Epirus. In the eighteenth century, as the military efficency of the Janissary declined, the Ottoman authorities began to rely on Albanian mercenaries with increasing frequency. Eventually their military reputation rose to such heights that it invited emulation of method, and soon, as mentioned earlier, the Albanain set the fashion for Balkan warriors with their kilts. Eventually, many Ottoman notables also adopted the Albanian look, as did Greek klephts and armatoli. The popularity of the costume was enhanced during the Greek War of Independence, since those who wore it could claim to fight for the Greek cause and draw pay from the various Greek governments...
Recently, most Albanians have been viewed as victims of Serb oppression or armed insurgents destabilizing Kosovo and northern Albania. However, in the 19th century, Albanian customs and traditions made considerable inroads into the society of the Balkan mountain villagers. Although Albania is the smallest country in the Balkans, it has the most powerful military legacy. As a region it lacks natural resources, and this absence of strong material infastructure is perhaps the reason why the Albanian, according to L.S Stavrianos, "cannot look back to back to an earlier period of glory and greatness. Their homeland has been too poor and restricted to enable them to expand and to found an empire comparable to those of the Mideval Byzantine, Serb and Bulgarian emperors". [The rest of the paragraph goes into the exploits of George Kastriot, the unison of Albania and the short lived period of unity]
The legend of the bravery and success of the Albanian bandit created a model for other Balkan brigands. A bandits value was based on his skill with weapons and the degree of courage he displayed. Any kind of central authority was treated with disdain, and rugged individualism was celebrated. But what most distinguished the Albanian brigand was his willingness to carry and diplay a weapon. [The larger part of the next paragraph discusses the importance of the weapon to a Christian people seeking independence from the Ottoman Empire. Skipping to the last sentence.] Not surpringly, the legend of the Albanian mountain warrior often proved irresistable to young men and nationalist historians alike.
What do is your view?
Here is another writer:
The Greek Struggle for Independence 1821-1833,
Douglas Dakin PG 71
The greeks much preffered his traditional style of warfare(adroutos) - Klephtic or Turkic warfare, as it was called then. Even the new leaders (as distinct from the old armatoli, klephtes or kapi) who were thrown up by war-men like Makriyannis, Hadzichristos, Hadzimichaliz and Karadaz - adopted this particular form of fighting.
This form of warfare had been developed to a high degree of perfection by the Albanians. Being always short of men, the Albanian tribe could not afford to throw their lives away... In emulating the Albanians the Greeks did not carry cation quite so far.
PG 92
Omer Vrionis found himself harassed by the Suliots who were in firm possession of the native mountain flank. Needless to say, the benefit to be gained by aiding these sturdy Christian Albanians were obvious to the Greeks.
Page 112-113, 118
Although throughout the 19th century, the guerilla warfare of the Klepht was common throughout the Balkans, it had its roots in Albania. The Albanians have a reputation as military innovators, a distinction associated particularly with the Orthodox Christian Suliot tribe of Epirus. In the eighteenth century, as the military efficency of the Janissary declined, the Ottoman authorities began to rely on Albanian mercenaries with increasing frequency. Eventually their military reputation rose to such heights that it invited emulation of method, and soon, as mentioned earlier, the Albanain set the fashion for Balkan warriors with their kilts. Eventually, many Ottoman notables also adopted the Albanian look, as did Greek klephts and armatoli. The popularity of the costume was enhanced during the Greek War of Independence, since those who wore it could claim to fight for the Greek cause and draw pay from the various Greek governments...
Recently, most Albanians have been viewed as victims of Serb oppression or armed insurgents destabilizing Kosovo and northern Albania. However, in the 19th century, Albanian customs and traditions made considerable inroads into the society of the Balkan mountain villagers. Although Albania is the smallest country in the Balkans, it has the most powerful military legacy. As a region it lacks natural resources, and this absence of strong material infastructure is perhaps the reason why the Albanian, according to L.S Stavrianos, "cannot look back to back to an earlier period of glory and greatness. Their homeland has been too poor and restricted to enable them to expand and to found an empire comparable to those of the Mideval Byzantine, Serb and Bulgarian emperors". [The rest of the paragraph goes into the exploits of George Kastriot, the unison of Albania and the short lived period of unity]
The legend of the bravery and success of the Albanian bandit created a model for other Balkan brigands. A bandits value was based on his skill with weapons and the degree of courage he displayed. Any kind of central authority was treated with disdain, and rugged individualism was celebrated. But what most distinguished the Albanian brigand was his willingness to carry and diplay a weapon. [The larger part of the next paragraph discusses the importance of the weapon to a Christian people seeking independence from the Ottoman Empire. Skipping to the last sentence.] Not surpringly, the legend of the Albanian mountain warrior often proved irresistable to young men and nationalist historians alike.
What do is your view?
Here is another writer:
The Greek Struggle for Independence 1821-1833,
Douglas Dakin PG 71
The greeks much preffered his traditional style of warfare(adroutos) - Klephtic or Turkic warfare, as it was called then. Even the new leaders (as distinct from the old armatoli, klephtes or kapi) who were thrown up by war-men like Makriyannis, Hadzichristos, Hadzimichaliz and Karadaz - adopted this particular form of fighting.
This form of warfare had been developed to a high degree of perfection by the Albanians. Being always short of men, the Albanian tribe could not afford to throw their lives away... In emulating the Albanians the Greeks did not carry cation quite so far.
PG 92
Omer Vrionis found himself harassed by the Suliots who were in firm possession of the native mountain flank. Needless to say, the benefit to be gained by aiding these sturdy Christian Albanians were obvious to the Greeks.