Jump to content

Lezhë: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
addition
→Prehistory and Antiquity: sources check out
Line 47: Line 47:


Already from the early Mycenaean period (1600-1450 BC) a free exchange pattern is confirmed with the centres of [[Mycenaean Greece]] as seen by various swords (C and D type) unearthed in Lezhë.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bejko |first1=Lorenc |title=Mycenaean Presence and Influence in Albania |page=14 |journal=Greek influence along the East Adriatic Coast |date=2002 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=el&id=QeKAAAAAMAAJ&dq= |accessdate=4 April 2020 |publisher=Kniževni Krug |language=en |quote=The variety of C and D type swords reported from central and northern Albania (Mat river valley, Lezhë, Shkodër), and their provenience from burial contexts, confirm the free exchange pattern with the Mycenaean centers of this part of the country, as in the early Mycenaean period.}}</ref> The region has been inhabitet by [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] tribes since the [[Late Bronze Age]].{{sfn|Boardman|Sollberger|1982|pp=628–629}} The settlement dates back to at least the 8th century BC.{{sfn|Elsie|2010|p=272}} In antiquity it was the territory of the [[Illyrii]] tribe (the "Illyrians proper", [[Latin]]: ''Illyrii propriae dicti'').{{sfn|Matijašić|2011|p=299}}{{sfn|Boardman|Sollberger|1982|pp=628–629}} The earliest of the fortification walls of the city are of typical Illyrian construction and are dated to the late 4th century BC.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=135}}{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}}{{sfn|Stylianou|1998|p=194}}{{Refn|[[Diodorus Siculus|Diodorus]] ("Library", 15.1, ca. 1st century BC) mentions that [[Dionysius I of Syracuse|Dionysius of Syracuse]] founded a "city named ''Lissus''" in the year 385 BC, but modern scholars suggest that this [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracusan]] colony was established at [[Issa (polis)|Issa]] near the island of [[Hvar|Pharos]], not at Lissus.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=115}} Even if Diodorus' account about a Syracusan colony at Lissus is accepted as accurate, it is very likely that this colony had a short life.{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}} Except Diodorus' reporting, Lissus is no longer connected with Syracuse.{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}}|group=note}} The town was built near the mouth of the [[Drin river|Drin]] surrounded by ramparts that faced the low valley of the river and the sea coast. It's function was to guard the route inland, to ensure defense against possible attacks from the sea, and to furnish a secure anchorage for the Illyrian ships.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=135}}{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}} A fortress was built on a 413&nbsp;m high mountain, named ''Acrolissus''.{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}}
Already from the early Mycenaean period (1600-1450 BC) a free exchange pattern is confirmed with the centres of [[Mycenaean Greece]] as seen by various swords (C and D type) unearthed in Lezhë.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bejko |first1=Lorenc |title=Mycenaean Presence and Influence in Albania |page=14 |journal=Greek influence along the East Adriatic Coast |date=2002 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=el&id=QeKAAAAAMAAJ&dq= |accessdate=4 April 2020 |publisher=Kniževni Krug |language=en |quote=The variety of C and D type swords reported from central and northern Albania (Mat river valley, Lezhë, Shkodër), and their provenience from burial contexts, confirm the free exchange pattern with the Mycenaean centers of this part of the country, as in the early Mycenaean period.}}</ref> The region has been inhabitet by [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] tribes since the [[Late Bronze Age]].{{sfn|Boardman|Sollberger|1982|pp=628–629}} The settlement dates back to at least the 8th century BC.{{sfn|Elsie|2010|p=272}} In antiquity it was the territory of the [[Illyrii]] tribe (the "Illyrians proper", [[Latin]]: ''Illyrii propriae dicti'').{{sfn|Matijašić|2011|p=299}}{{sfn|Boardman|Sollberger|1982|pp=628–629}} The earliest of the fortification walls of the city are of typical Illyrian construction and are dated to the late 4th century BC.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=135}}{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}}{{sfn|Stylianou|1998|p=194}}{{Refn|[[Diodorus Siculus|Diodorus]] ("Library", 15.1, ca. 1st century BC) mentions that [[Dionysius I of Syracuse|Dionysius of Syracuse]] founded a "city named ''Lissus''" in the year 385 BC, but modern scholars suggest that this [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracusan]] colony was established at [[Issa (polis)|Issa]] near the island of [[Hvar|Pharos]], not at Lissus.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=115}} Even if Diodorus' account about a Syracusan colony at Lissus is accepted as accurate, it is very likely that this colony had a short life.{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}} Except Diodorus' reporting, Lissus is no longer connected with Syracuse.{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}}|group=note}} The town was built near the mouth of the [[Drin river|Drin]] surrounded by ramparts that faced the low valley of the river and the sea coast. It's function was to guard the route inland, to ensure defense against possible attacks from the sea, and to furnish a secure anchorage for the Illyrian ships.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=135}}{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}} A fortress was built on a 413&nbsp;m high mountain, named ''Acrolissus''.{{sfn|Tsetskhladze|2008|p=177}}

Around 385 BC, a [[Greeks|Greek]] colony was founded by [[Dionysius I of Syracuse]] by the name of ''Lissos'' (Λισσός),<ref name=Mogens,322>Mogens Herman Hansen, ''In An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis'', Oxford University Press, 2004, page 322, {{ISBN|0-19-814099-1}}</ref> as part of a strategy by Dionysius to secure Syracusan trade routes along the [[Adriatic]].<ref name = Evans,276>Evans, A., Destani, B., [https://books.google.com/books?id=3J96wSxMaeYC&pg=PA276&dq=lissos&hl=en&ei=uoAtTNmFFdSgnweZuti3Aw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=Amantia&f=false ''Ancient Illyria, an archeological exploration'']. IB Tauris, 2007. p. 276.</ref> Diodorus calls it a [[polis]].<ref name=Mogens,322/> The city was separated into sectors by ''diateichisma''<ref name=Mogens,322/> ({{lang-el|διατείχισμα}}, "cross-wall"<ref>[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Ddiatei%2Fxisma διατείχισμα], Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', on Perseus Digital Library</ref>) and there are elements of Syracusan architecture in part of its walls.


By the 4th century BC, ''Lissus'' was one of the main cities of the [[Illyrian kingdom]]. In the 228 BC peace treaty with Rome, the Illyrian queen [[Teuta]] promised not to sail south of Lissus at the mouth of the Drin river with more than two ''[[lembi]]'' (Illyrian light ships), even those had to be unarmed.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=161–162}}{{sfn|Errington|1989|pp=89–90}} But when Rome was engaged in a war against the [[Celts|Celtic]] peoples of the [[Po]] valley in northern [[Italy]] about the years 225–222 BC, Illyrian commander [[Demetrius of Pharos|Demetrius]] detached the [[Atintani]] tribe from their alliance with Rome. Moreover, he sailed south of Lissus and engaged in piracy in violation of the 228 BC peace treaty. In the summer of 221 BC, tensions in [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] increased as [[Macedon]]ia allied with the [[Achaean League]] against the [[Aetolian League]], and the Illyrians attacked in their typical manner. Demetrius and [[Scerdilaidas]] sailed with 90 ''lembi'' south of Lissus. When they failed an assault on [[Pylos]] (western [[Peloponnese]]), they separated their fleets and Scerdilaidas returned north with 40 ships, while Demetrius plundered the [[Cyclades]] with 50 ships.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=162–163}}{{sfn|Errington|1989|pp=91–92}}
By the 4th century BC, ''Lissus'' was one of the main cities of the [[Illyrian kingdom]]. In the 228 BC peace treaty with Rome, the Illyrian queen [[Teuta]] promised not to sail south of Lissus at the mouth of the Drin river with more than two ''[[lembi]]'' (Illyrian light ships), even those had to be unarmed.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=161–162}}{{sfn|Errington|1989|pp=89–90}} But when Rome was engaged in a war against the [[Celts|Celtic]] peoples of the [[Po]] valley in northern [[Italy]] about the years 225–222 BC, Illyrian commander [[Demetrius of Pharos|Demetrius]] detached the [[Atintani]] tribe from their alliance with Rome. Moreover, he sailed south of Lissus and engaged in piracy in violation of the 228 BC peace treaty. In the summer of 221 BC, tensions in [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] increased as [[Macedon]]ia allied with the [[Achaean League]] against the [[Aetolian League]], and the Illyrians attacked in their typical manner. Demetrius and [[Scerdilaidas]] sailed with 90 ''lembi'' south of Lissus. When they failed an assault on [[Pylos]] (western [[Peloponnese]]), they separated their fleets and Scerdilaidas returned north with 40 ships, while Demetrius plundered the [[Cyclades]] with 50 ships.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=162–163}}{{sfn|Errington|1989|pp=91–92}}

Revision as of 22:20, 2 May 2020

"Lissus" redirects here. For the ancient city in Crete, see Lissus (Crete).
Lezhë
Municipality
Lezhë photomontage
Emblem
Lezhë is located in Albania
Lezhë
Lezhë
Coordinates: 41°47′N 19°38′E / 41.783°N 19.633°E / 41.783; 19.633
Country Albania
CountyLezhë
Government
 • MayorPjerin Ndreu (PS)
Area
 • Municipality514.97 km2 (198.83 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Municipality
65,633
 • Municipality density130/km2 (330/sq mi)
 • Municipal unit
15,510
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal Code
4501-4502
Area Code(0)215
WebsiteOfficial Website

Lezhë (Albanian: Lezha or Lezhë, Albanian pronunciation: [ˈlɛʒə]) is a town and municipality in northwest Albania, in the county with the same name.

One of the main strongholds of the Labeatai,[1] the earliest of the fortification walls of the city are of typical Illyrian construction and are dated to the late 4th century BC.[2] The city was later alternatively under Illyrian, Macedonian and Roman rule.In the conflicts with Macedon it was captured by Philip V becoming the Macedonian outlet to the Adriatic sea. The town was later recovered by the Illyrians. It was subjected to Rome after the Roman-Illyrian wars.

The present municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Balldren, Blinisht, Dajç, Kallmet, Kolsh, Lezhë, Shëngjin, Shënkoll, Ungrej and Zejmen, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Lezhë.[3] The total population is 65,633 (2011 census),[4] in a total area of 514.97 square kilometres (199 square miles).[5] The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 15,510.[4]

Name

The City is mentioned in ancient sources as Lissos (Ancient Greek: Λισσός) and Lissus (Latin: Lissus).[6] The term λισσός, lissos contains the Greek root λίσ meaning "smooth".[7] The ancient name Lissus evolved into its modern form Lezhë (archaic: Lesh[6]) through Albanian sound changes.[8] In Turkish, the town is known as Leş or Eşim and in Italian as Alessio. Lezhë is also known as Alise, Alexiensis, Eschenderari, or Mrtav.[9]

History

Prehistory and Antiquity

Ruins of Labeatan fortification walls.

Already from the early Mycenaean period (1600-1450 BC) a free exchange pattern is confirmed with the centres of Mycenaean Greece as seen by various swords (C and D type) unearthed in Lezhë.[10] The region has been inhabitet by Illyrian tribes since the Late Bronze Age.[11] The settlement dates back to at least the 8th century BC.[12] In antiquity it was the territory of the Illyrii tribe (the "Illyrians proper", Latin: Illyrii propriae dicti).[13][11] The earliest of the fortification walls of the city are of typical Illyrian construction and are dated to the late 4th century BC.[14][15][2][note 1] The town was built near the mouth of the Drin surrounded by ramparts that faced the low valley of the river and the sea coast. It's function was to guard the route inland, to ensure defense against possible attacks from the sea, and to furnish a secure anchorage for the Illyrian ships.[14][15] A fortress was built on a 413 m high mountain, named Acrolissus.[15]

Around 385 BC, a Greek colony was founded by Dionysius I of Syracuse by the name of Lissos (Λισσός),[17] as part of a strategy by Dionysius to secure Syracusan trade routes along the Adriatic.[18] Diodorus calls it a polis.[17] The city was separated into sectors by diateichisma[17] (Greek: διατείχισμα, "cross-wall"[19]) and there are elements of Syracusan architecture in part of its walls.

By the 4th century BC, Lissus was one of the main cities of the Illyrian kingdom. In the 228 BC peace treaty with Rome, the Illyrian queen Teuta promised not to sail south of Lissus at the mouth of the Drin river with more than two lembi (Illyrian light ships), even those had to be unarmed.[20][21] But when Rome was engaged in a war against the Celtic peoples of the Po valley in northern Italy about the years 225–222 BC, Illyrian commander Demetrius detached the Atintani tribe from their alliance with Rome. Moreover, he sailed south of Lissus and engaged in piracy in violation of the 228 BC peace treaty. In the summer of 221 BC, tensions in Greece increased as Macedonia allied with the Achaean League against the Aetolian League, and the Illyrians attacked in their typical manner. Demetrius and Scerdilaidas sailed with 90 lembi south of Lissus. When they failed an assault on Pylos (western Peloponnese), they separated their fleets and Scerdilaidas returned north with 40 ships, while Demetrius plundered the Cyclades with 50 ships.[22][23]

In 211 BC, Philip V of Macedon captured the citadel of Akrolissus, and Lissos surrendered to him.[24] The town was later recovered by the Illyrians. It was in Lissus that Perseus of Macedon negotiated an alliance against Rome with the Illyrian king Gentius, and it was from Lissus that Gentius organized his army against the Romans. Lissus maintained a large degree of municipal autonomy under both Macedonian and Illyrian rule, as evidenced by the coins minted there.[25] The city was of some importance in the Roman Civil War, being taken by Marc Antony [26] and then remaining loyal to Caesar. In Roman times, the city was part of the province of Epirus Nova,[27]

Middle Ages and Ottoman period

The grave of Skanderbeg (former Selimie Mosque) and Lezhë Castle on its hill

In Middle Ages Lezha (known in Italian as Alessio) frequently changed masters until the Venetians took possession of it in 1386. It still belonged to them when Skanderbeg died, but In 1478 it fell into the hands of Turks during the siege of Shkodra, with the exception of a short period (1501–1506) when it returned to Venetian domination.[9] Because it was under the Venetian control, it was chosen in 1444 by George Castrioti (Skanderbeg) as a neutral place for the convention of Albanian, Serbian, Dalmatian and other lords of the area aiming at organizing their common defence against the Turks.[28]

Lezha was the site of the League of Lezhë where Skanderbeg united the Albanian princes in the fight against the Ottoman Empire.

Lezha Castle

Skanderbeg was buried in the cathedral of Lezhë which was dedicated to Saint Nicholas and later used as Selimie Mosque.

Modern era

Today Lezhë is a growing city. Its proximity to the port of Shëngjin as well as its location on the national road between the Montenegrin border to the North and Tirana to the South makes it an attractive location for industry and business.

Majority of the people from Lezhë descend from the Zadrima, Mirdita and Malësia/Malësi e madhe regions of northwestern Albania. The people from Zadrima and Mirdita are native to Lezhë and the surrounding area. Whilst the Malësor clans from Malësia, such as Kelmendi, Shkreli, Kastrati etc., had settled Lezhë and surrounding areas around 100–300 years ago. In terms of religion, Lezha has a Catholic majority(70-80%) and a Muslim minority(30-20%)

Sights

Remains of the Lezhe castle

Transportation

State Road 32 From Shëngjin

Bus

There are urban buses throughout the city and international and national buses.

Trains

Lezhe has a train station not far from the center. The line starts in Durrës and ends in Shkodër. It is functonally but not frequently.

Highways

The main highway in Lezhe is E762. The E762 stars in Fushë-Krujë and ends in Shkodër. The Durrës-Kukës Highway intersects with E762 in Milot. Also the SH32 intersects in to Lezhe coming from Shëngjin.

Sport

The association football club is KS Besëlidhja Lezhë. Although primarily concerned with football, KS Besëlidhja also participates in sports such as wrestling and beach volleyball.

Archaeological excavations

From 2004 an excavation started around the ancient Acropolis of Lissos and the Skanderbeg Memorial, which revealed Hellenistic, Roman and Early Byzantine buildings, tombs and other findings.[29]

Notable people

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Diodorus ("Library", 15.1, ca. 1st century BC) mentions that Dionysius of Syracuse founded a "city named Lissus" in the year 385 BC, but modern scholars suggest that this Syracusan colony was established at Issa near the island of Pharos, not at Lissus.[16] Even if Diodorus' account about a Syracusan colony at Lissus is accepted as accurate, it is very likely that this colony had a short life.[15] Except Diodorus' reporting, Lissus is no longer connected with Syracuse.[15]

Citations

  1. ^ Waterfield 2014, p. 49.
  2. ^ a b Stylianou 1998, p. 194.
  3. ^ Law nr. 115/2014 Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b "Population and housing census - Lezhë 2011" (PDF). INSTAT. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  5. ^ "Correspondence table LAU – NUTS 2016, EU-28 and EFTA / available Candidate Countries" (XLS). Eurostat. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  6. ^ a b Gaffiot 1934, p. 915: "Lissus".
  7. ^ Beekes 2009, p. 865.
  8. ^ Katičić 1976, p. 186.
  9. ^ a b Catholic Encyclopedia, article "Alessio (Lissus, Alexiensis)"
  10. ^ Bejko, Lorenc (2002). "Mycenaean Presence and Influence in Albania". Greek influence along the East Adriatic Coast. Kniževni Krug: 12. Retrieved 4 April 2020. The variety of C and D type swords reported from central and northern Albania (Mat river valley, Lezhë, Shkodër), and their provenience from burial contexts, confirm the free exchange pattern with the Mycenaean centers of this part of the country, as in the early Mycenaean period.
  11. ^ a b Boardman & Sollberger 1982, pp. 628–629.
  12. ^ Elsie 2010, p. 272.
  13. ^ Matijašić 2011, p. 299.
  14. ^ a b Wilkes 1992, p. 135.
  15. ^ a b c d e Tsetskhladze 2008, p. 177.
  16. ^ Wilkes 1992, p. 115.
  17. ^ a b c Mogens Herman Hansen, In An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis, Oxford University Press, 2004, page 322, ISBN 0-19-814099-1
  18. ^ Evans, A., Destani, B., Ancient Illyria, an archeological exploration. IB Tauris, 2007. p. 276.
  19. ^ διατείχισμα, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus Digital Library
  20. ^ Wilkes 1992, p. 161–162.
  21. ^ Errington 1989, pp. 89–90.
  22. ^ Wilkes 1992, p. 162–163.
  23. ^ Errington 1989, pp. 91–92.
  24. ^ Polybius 8.13-14
  25. ^ Arthur Evans (2007). Ancient Illyria: An Archaeological Exploration. I.B.Tauris. p. 276. ISBN 9781845111670.
  26. ^ Plutarch (1920). Life of Antony. Loeb Classical Edition. p. 7.4.
  27. ^ Epirus Vetus: The Archaeology of a Late Antique Province (Duckworth Archaeology) by William Bowden, 2003, ISBN 0-7156-3116-0,2003, page 233, of Lissus in Epirus Nova
  28. ^ Schmitt Jens O.(2009) Skanderbeg, Der neue Alexander auf dem Balkan, Verlag Friedrich Pustet, pp. 55,56
  29. ^ Karl-Franzens Universitat, Lissus excavation report 2004. Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lezhë.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lezhe.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lezhë&oldid=954528645"