Demetrio Reres

Demetrio Reres was an enigmatic person who has been little researched by historians. In a 1448 document Reres (Renes or Renessi in Venetian documents) was mentioned as related to the "illustrious Kastrioti family" while no document of the period in question actually supports this assertion.[1] In some earlier works Reres was referred to as Demetrius Reres Castriota and mistakenly identified as the father of Skanderbeg.[4][5] Ludwig Thallóczy presented a hypothesis that he was actually Demetrius Paleologus, a brother of the Byzantine Emperor.[1]

In 1448 troops under the command of Demetrio Reres and his two sons George and Basil went from Albania to the rural areas of the Kingdom of Naples to suppress a rebellion against Alfonso V.[6] Many of the soldiers had requested to be allowed to settle in the area to avoid struggling against Ottomans in Albania. Alfonso V readily gave his approval to the loyal protectors of his rule so they formed the first Arbëresh settlements in the area.[3][7] His brother and two sons also established several Albanian settlements in Sicily.[3][8] After the campaign Reres was awarded by Alfonso with the governorship of Reggio province in Calabria.[1] In some historical works these Albanian-populated regions governed by Reres and his two sons were referred to as military colonies.[9]

He sired Joan and Vasil Reres.[10] Andrea Reres, a descendant of Demetrio, founded the Basilian Monastery in Mezzojuso with the provision that the Greek rite would be used.[1] The surname Reres is nowadays common among the Arbëreshë community.[6]