Skanderbeg (İskender Bey) or Gjergj Kastrioti is a national hero of the Albanians, especially of the Italo-Albanians or so-called Arbëresh, but his biography is not less complex than the later one by Ali Pasha. Both made their career at the Ottoman Court.
Together with his brother Skanderbeg belonged to one of the first generations which were converted and educated within the devşirme. In order to turn enemies into allies, Ottoman Emirs converted the children of their aristocratic enemies to Islam (which was against the law of the shari'a) and they were educated at the Court (Enderun Serail) and were offered to prosper within the elite corps of the Janissaries. Unlike his brother Skanderbeg joined the Court at a later age and he was very loyal to Ottoman rulers. This changed after the death of his father. Baptised as an Orthodox and a Muslim convert, he converted again to the catholic faith to look for allies in Venice, Rome, and in Naples, where he became a commander of mercenaries in charge of the Neapolitan King. With his charisma he was on good terms with several Popes and he convinced them to participate in a Crusade against the Turks.
His plans failed and this was the beginning of a mass emigration of people from his region across the Adria to Italy.
Please have a look at Oliver Jens Schmitt's contributions about Skanderbeg, who was fascinated by Skanderbeg and the national myths around him:
http://www.albanianhistory.net/2008_Schmitt_Scanderbeg/index.html
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