Muzaka

The Muzaka were an Albanian noble house ruling the Myzeqe lowlands between the Devoll and Vjosë rivers. A family member is recorded as a commander under Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos around 1090.

From the late thirteenth century Andrea I and then Andrea II led the house between Byzantium and the Angevins of Naples. Andrea II became despot in 1335 and defeated a Serbian army near Mount Pelister around 1340. Stefan Dušan overran their lands in 1343-1345, but the family recovered them after his death in 1355 and later took Berat.

After the Battle of Savra in 1385 the Muzaka submitted to the Ottomans, until Theodor Corona Musachi joined Skanderbeg's revolt in 1444. Many later fled to Italy; the last notable exile died at Naples in 1600, while some who remained converted to Islam.