Michael Attaleiates
“The Albanoi and Arbanitai took part in the uprisings and disturbances of the Empire.”
Source: Historia
Anna Komnene
“The Arbanonites lived in mountainous places and were known as strong warriors.”
Source: Alexiad
John Skylitzes
“The peoples of Arbanon often rose up against the imperial power.”
Source: Synopsis Historion
Nicetas Choniates
“The Arbërs were often involved in wars and uprisings in Epirus.”
Source: Chronike Syngraphe
George Akropolites
“The Albanians were strong highlanders and difficult to subjugate.”
Source: Historia
Laonikos Chalkokondyles
“The Albanians are an ancient and warlike people.”
Source: Histories
George Pachymeres
“The Arbërs preserved their customs and freedom in the mountains of the Balkans.”
Source: Historia
1. Michael Attaleiates (11th century, Historia, covering ~1034–1079)
Attaleiates provides one of the earliest mentions of Albanoi and Arbanitai. He notes their involvement in revolts, including under George Maniakes (around 1043) and in events around Dyrrhachium (Durrës). There is scholarly debate: some interpret Albanoi as referring to Balkan Albanians, while others (minority view) link parts to Italian contexts/Normans. The traditional view favors early Albanian references.
2. Anna Komnene (Alexiad, mid-12th century)
She mentions Arbanitai (Arvanites/Arbanonites) as people from the Arbanon region during the Norman invasions (e.g., under Robert Guiscard, ~1081). Komiskortes, “a man from Arbanon,” is noted, and Arbanites participated in fighting. They are portrayed as mountain-dwellers and warriors in the Dyrrhachium area. This aligns well with the post’s summary.
3. John Skylitzes (Synopsis Historion, late 11th century)
Skylitzes (and his continuator) refers to Arbanitai in military contexts, such as troops assembled in Durrës. Mentions tie into 11th-century revolts and regional unrest. The post’s paraphrase on uprisings fits the broader pattern of Byzantine troubles in the western Balkans.
4. Nicetas Choniates (Historia, late 12th–early 13th century)
Choniates covers later periods with references to unrest in Epirus and the western Balkans. Albanians/Arbanites appear in contexts of regional wars and rebellions.
5. George Akropolites (Historia, 13th century)
He provides detailed accounts of the Principality of Arbanon (Arbanon/Arbëria), its rulers (e.g., Golem of Kruja), and annexation/rebellion (~1256–1257). He describes the region and its people (Arbanitai) as highlanders involved in resistance against Nicaean/Byzantine control. This matches the “strong highlanders, difficult to subjugate” description.
6. Laonikos Chalkokondyles (Histories, 15th century)
A late Byzantine historian who discusses Albanians in the context of Ottoman expansion and the Balkans. He portrays them as a distinct, warlike group with ancient roots in the region (sometimes linking them to broader Illyrian/Macedonian contexts in classical style). The “ancient and warlike” paraphrase fits his ethnographic style.
7. George Pachymeres (Historia, late 13th–early 14th century)
He mentions Albanians/Arbanites in Balkan events, including earthquakes, repopulation, and conflicts. References to preserving customs in mountainous areas align with their reputation as semi-autonomous highlanders
