Where and When: Gjergj Kastrioti, more often referred to as Skanderbeg, is one of the most important figures in Albanian history, but not so well-known outside that country. He’s notable for being raised as a hostage in the Ottoman Empire and becoming one of their greatest military commanders, only to turn on the Empire in 1443 and go right back to fighting against them as a proud Albanian. Along the way, he became a symbol in the ongoing conflict between Islam and Christianity. The Pope named him an “Athleta Christi” (Champion of Christ).

The Arsenal: Skanderbeg’s sword, a Damascan scimitar, still sits in a museum in Vienna. Having been brought up alongside the janissaries of the Ottoman Empire, that would have only been one small part of his arsenal, but it was the one that made him legendary.

His Training: Training alongside the enslaved Janissaries infantry of the Ottoman Empire from a young age, Skanderbeg would have learned extreme discipline and fortitude. Ferocity and fearsomeness would become his trademarks, but his education made those things secondary to careful planning, preparation, and cohesiveness on the battlefield.

In The Duel: Skanderbeg was an absolute killing machine; he was said to have personally slain three thousand Turks over a couple of decades after defecting from the empire. While that may be apocryphal, it’s evident that he was not the sort to lead his troops from the back. Over time, he developed a unique style of guerilla warfare that made perfect use of Albania’s terrain. In other words, his opponents in an all-out fight to the finish might not actually see Skanderbeg on the battlefield until it’s too late.

Age: Dec. at 62 (1405-1468)
Birthplace: Dibër District, Albania