Andrea Morisco

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Andrea Morisco (in Greek: Ἀνδρέας Μουρίσκος, Andreas Mouriskos) was a Genoese pirate active in the Aegean Sea in the late 13th century, who in 1304 entered the service of the Byzantine Empire. As an admiral and corsair, he was active under Byzantine colours until 1308, when he was captured and executed in Cyprus.

Life

Morisco was a

vestiarios. The Venetians in retaliation attacked him and burned one of his ships, but in 1305, he attacked the island of Tenedos, and with the aid of some passing Genoese ships recovered it for the Empire.[1][2][3]

At this time, the Byzantines became involved in open war against the mercenaries of the

Hellespont back into Anatolia—the latter a dubious success, as they proceeded to raid the Byzantine province of Thrace instead. For his service, Andronikos II made Morisco an admiral and gave him and his brother Lodovico the islands of Rhodes, Karpathos and Kasos as fiefs.[1][4][5]

During one of his fights with the Catalans in the Sea of Marmara, he was defeated and captured by the Catalans, but was able to buy his freedom and returned to Tenedos. In 1306, he was back in action, and along with the Byzantines' Genoese allies participated in the unsuccessful siege of Gallipoli, which was held by the Catalans.[1] In 1307 and 1308, along with other Byzantine-sponsored pirates, Morisco was active in the Aegean, attacking Venetian shipping off the Peloponnese.[6]

In 1308, Morisco was captured by King Henry II of Cyprus, and executed by hanging in Famagusta.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e PLP 19516. Mουρίσκος Ἀνδρέας
  2. ^ a b Laiou (1972), p. 151
  3. ^ Nicol (1993), p. 113
  4. ^ Laiou (1972), p. 156 note 101
  5. ^ Nicol (1993), pp. 132–133
  6. ^ Laiou (1972), p. 235

Sources

  • ISBN 0-674-16535-7
    .
  • Luttrell, Anthony (1997). "The Genoese at Rhodes: 1306–1312". In Balletto, L. (ed.). Oriente e Occidente tra Medioevo ed età moderna: Studi in onore di Geo Pistarino. Genoa: Acqui Terme. pp. 737–761.
    OCLC 606372603
    .
  • ISBN 978-0-521-43991-6
    .
  • Trapp, Erich; Beyer, Hans-Veit; Walther, Rainer; Sturm-Schnabl, Katja; Kislinger, Ewald; Leontiadis, Ioannis; Kaplaneres, Sokrates (1976–1996).
    ISBN 3-7001-3003-1
    .
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