Euphemia Mataranga


Euphemia Mataranga, also known as Euthymia, Eythvmia, Etimia or Onorata was an Albanian noblewoman and member of the Mataranga family.

Life

Euphemia, whose name means "honored" was the daughter of Paul I Mataranga, an Albanian feudal lord who held the title of Sevastocrator and ruled the province of Ghora, situated near Lake Ohrid. The identity of her mother remains unknown, and not much is known about her early life.
She was married to Andrea II Muzaka most likely around 1328, in the Church of Saint Anthony in Durrës. Andrea came from the noble Muzaka family, and held the titles such as the Despot of Albania, Despot of Epirus and Sebastokrator similar to her father. Through his marriage to Euphemia, Andrea II Muzaka established a significant familial connection with her father, Paul Mataranga, thereby linking the Muzaka and Mataranga families.
Euphemia and her husband, Andrea II Muzaka, were both buried in Durrës, in the Church of Saint Anthony where they had previously been married. Their tomb was positioned to the right of the altar. The beautifully crafted marble grave bore an epitaph that read: "Here lies Lord Andrew Molosachi, Despot of Epirus".

Family

Euphemia Mataranga married Andrea II Muzaka. The couple had five children:
  1. Gjin I Muzaka, who inherited most of his fathers lands, with the exception of Berat, Myzeqe and Kastoria. He married Lady Suina Arianiti-Comneniates, a daughter of the Albanian Lord Materango Arianiti, with whom he had 5 sons: Andrea III Muzaka, Materango Muzaka, Vlash Muzaka, Bogdan Muzaka and Laldi Muzaka
  2. Teodor II Muzaka, who inherited Berat and Myzeqe.
  3. Stoya Muzaka, who inherited Kastoria as well as its villages and estates. Unfortunately, he died early with no heirs, therefore his lands were passed down to his elder brother Gjin.
  4. Lady Comita Muzaka, who married Balsha II and secured an alliance between the Muzaka family and the Balsha family
  5. Lady Chiranna Muzaka, who married Andrea Gropa of Ohër and Dibra. The couple had no living issue, thus their property was inherited by the Muzakas.