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Albania: Gjergj Kastrioti, better known as Skanderbeg (1443 - 1468), Albanian national hero in the struggle against Ottoman rule, steel engraving, Frankfurt, c. 1835

Albania: Gjergj Kastrioti, better known as Skanderbeg (1443 - 1468), Albanian national hero in the struggle against Ottoman rule, steel engraving, Frankfurt, c. 1835

George Castriot (Albanian: Gjergj Kastrioti; 6 May 1405 – 17 January 1468), known as Skanderbeg (Albanian: Skenderbej or Skenderbeu from Turkish: Iskender Bey), was an Albanian nobleman and military commander who served the Ottoman Empire in 1423–43, the Republic of Venice in 1443–47, and lastly the Kingdom of Naples until his death.

After leaving Ottoman service, he led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in Albania. Skanderbeg's military skills presented a major obstacle to Ottoman expansion, and he was considered by many in western Europe to be a model of Christian resistance against the Ottoman Muslims.

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