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| Map of the Albanian principalities in the Middle Ages that include today's Albania, Kosovo, Southern Montenegro, Northern Greece, Western Macedonia and Southern Serbia |
The name "Albania" has a rich and complex history rooted in ancient sources, geography, and culture. Here’s a summary of its origins and usage over time:
1. Earliest Mention: Ptolemy and Albanopolis
- Claudius Ptolemy (90–168 AD), a renowned geographer and astronomer of antiquity, was one of the first to document the name “Albanian” and the city of Albanopolis in his work Geography (circa 130 AD).
- According to Ptolemy, Albanopolis was located near present-day Tirana and Kruja, just inland from the ancient city of Dyrrachium (modern-day Durrës).
2. Byzantine Records: Anna Komnena
- Anna Komnena (1083–1153), a Byzantine historian and daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, referred to the people living beyond Durrës as "Arbanites" in her famous historical work Alexiad. This is one of the earliest written mentions of Albanians in medieval sources.
3. Medieval Transformations of the Name
- In the 12th century, Norman literature, such as the epic The Song of Roland, referred to the region from Durrës to Vlora as "Albania."
- During the 14th and 15th centuries, Albanians who migrated to Greece referred to themselves as Arbanites or Arvanites in the local dialect. Those who moved to Southern Italy used the term Arbëreshë to describe themselves and called their homeland Arbana.
4. From Arbër to Shqipëri
- In the 16th century, Albanian priest and author Gjon Buzuku, one of the earliest writers in the Albanian language, referred to the land as "Arbën" in his works.
- Buzuku is also credited as one of the first to call the language “Shqip”, leading to the modern Albanian terms "Shqipëri" for the country and "Shqiptarë" for its people.
5. Why “Albania” Persisted Internationally
- The name “Albania” became popular internationally, partly due to the influence of Ptolemy's Geography and the continued use of Latinized forms by Western scholars and travelers.
- Even though Albanians identify themselves as Shqiptarë and their country as Shqipëri, the historical name “Albania” remains in use globally.
6. Ptolemy’s Contributions to Geography
- Ptolemy is celebrated for his efforts in cartography and geography. His Geography is considered one of the earliest attempts to create a map of the world.
- Although some of Ptolemy’s depictions may seem primitive compared to modern globes, his innovations in mapping techniques are foundational to cartography today.
Thus, the name "Albania" reflects a blend of ancient documentation, medieval transformations, and international influence that preserved it in global usage, even as Albanians themselves adopted a different national identity based on their language and culture.