In Michael Attaleiates’ “History” (Bonn edition, page 18), the army of General George Maniakes in 1043 is explicitly documented as being composed of “Romans and Albanians” (Ῥωμαίων καὶ Ἀλβανῶν).

This isn’t just a minor detail; it is one of the most powerful testimonies of the 11th century. The Byzantine court historian makes a sharp ethnic distinction: he doesn’t simply call them “Roman soldiers,” but separates them into two groups fighting side by side: Romanoi (Byzantine subjects) and Albanoi (Albanians).

In the Middle Ages, the Byzantine Empire was a mosaic of peoples, but this document proves that Albanians were a fully formed and recognized ethnic and military entity by the imperial leadership nearly 1,000 years ago. To claim that the Albanian identity is a “modern invention” is to ignore the very ancient Greek manuscripts that document our presence as a distinct force in the heart of the Balkans. Facts do not compromise with nationalistic narratives.