In the first half of the 14th century, mercenaries, raiders and migrants known in
Greek as Άλβανοί (Albanoi or "Albanians") flooded into
Greece (specifically raiding
Thessaly in 1325 and 1334).[2] In 1358, Albanians got regions of
Epirus,
Acarnania and
Aetolia to rule for their support in Serbian campaign and established two principalities under their leaders,
Gjin Bua Shpata and
Pjetër Losha.[1]Naupactus (Lepanto) was later taken in 1378.[1] The Shpata family frequently collaborated with the Ottomans and saw them as protectors.[3]
Although German historian
Karl Hopf provided a genealogy of the Shpata family, it is deemed by modern scholarship as "altogether inaccurate".[4]
^Madgearu & Gordon 2008, p. 83: "The despots Gjin Buia Spata and Peter Liosha were recognized by Symeon Uroš in 1359–1360 as rulers in Epirus and Aetolia. Albanian historians consider Gjin (or Ghinu) Buia and Peter Liosha Albanian, but it is sure that at least the Buia family was of Aromanian origin..."
Schirò, Giuseppe (1971–1972). "La genealogia degli Spata tra il XIV e XV sec. E due Bua sconosciuti". Rivista di Studi Bizantini e Neoellenici. 28–29: 67–85.