Progon, Lord of Kruja

Progon^[a] was the first Albanian ruler known by name, an archon of the Kruja Fortress (modern Krujë) and its surroundings, known as the Principality of Arbanon. He ruled between 1190 and 1198. Progon was succeeded by his two sons, Gjin, and Dimitri.

Progon
Lord of Krujë [1] Archon of Arbanon
Geziq inscription from St. Mary’s church mentioning Progon and his sons Demetrio and Gjin Progoni.
Lord of Krujë
Reign	1190–1198
Successor	Gjin Progoni
Issue	Gjin Progoni Dhimitër Progoni
House	Progoni

Life

Progon's realm was the first Albanian state during the Middle Ages.^[2][3][4] Little is known about archon Progon who was the first ruler of Kruja and its surroundings,^[5] between 1190 and 1198.^[6] The Kruja fortress stayed in the possession of the Progoni family, and Progon was succeeded by his sons Gjin, and later Dimitri.^[7] Before 1204, Arbanon was an autonomous principality of the Byzantine Empire.^[8] He is mentioned with his two sons in an inscription from the St. Mary Monastery in Trifandina, Gëziq, northern Albania.^[9] The titles archon (held by Progon) and panhypersebastos (held by Dimitri) is a sign of Byzantine dependence.^[10]

Family

• Progon (founder), archon of Kruja ruled (between 1190 and 1198)
  • Gjin Progoni, ruled 1198–1208
  • Dimitri Progoni, ruled 1208–1216, married Komnena Nemanjić, the daughter of Serbian Grand Prince, later King Stefan Nemanjić (r. 1196–1228).^[11][12][13] This resulted in an alliance, and vassalage to Serbia amidst conflicts with the Republic of Venice.

Notes

1. ^
   His name is rendered as Progon or Progonos (Greek: Προγονος, Progonos^[14]). He is eponymous to the Progoni family.