Skanderbeg: The Rebel General Who Humiliated the Ottoman Empire

In 1478, Ottoman soldiers were so terrified of Skanderbeg that they dug up his grave to make amulets from his bones. This is the true story of Gjergj Kastrioti, known to the world as Skanderbeg, the man who kidnapped by the Sultan as a boy, raised to be a perfect killing machine, and then turned the Empire's own weapons against them. For 25 years, he led a small resistance in the mountains of Albania against the full might of the Ottoman Empire, defeating its greatest Sultans and securing his place as one of the most brilliant military tacticians in history.
From the brutal training camps of the Janissaries to the legendary Siege of Krujë, this documentary explores how Skanderbeg utilized guerrilla tactics, psychological warfare, and mountain terrain to crush armies ten times his size. We dive deep into his personal rivalry with Mehmed the Conqueror—the man who took Constantinople but could not break the "Dragon of Albania."
Discover the secrets of the Battle of Albulena, the betrayal of his closest generals, and the "Scorched Earth" policy that saved Europe but cost Albania everything. Whether you are a student of Medieval Warfare or just love an underdog story, the legend of Skanderbeg is a masterclass in resistance.
In this video, we cover:
The horrifying reality of the Devşirme (Blood Tax) system.
How Skanderbeg faked a royal decree to steal a fortress.
The formation of the League of Lezhë and the unification of Albanian tribes.
The breakdown of the Battle of Albulena and the trap that destroyed an army.
Skanderbeg’s tragic final journey to Rome and his death in Lezhë.
If you enjoy deep-dive history documentaries that explore the darker side of the past, please like and subscribe. Let us know in the comments: Is Skanderbeg the greatest defensive general of the medieval era?
HISTORICAL SOURCES:
"The Life of Scanderbeg" by Marin Barleti (Primary Source).
"George Castriot, Surnamed Scanderbeg, King of Albania" by Clement Clarke Moore.
Ottoman Archives regarding the Campaigns of Murad II and Mehmed II.
Venetian State Papers (15th Century).

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