Arslan

Arslan (the lion), the title given to Ali Pasha, an Albanian chief born in 1741, who gained possession of a large portion of Albania early in his career. In 1787, for his services to the Porte in the Austro-Russian war, he was created pasha, and in 1797 he entered into an alliance with Napoleon, but very shortly broke it off. He did a great deal of good in his own territory in putting down brigandage and disorder. In 1803 he subdued the Suliotes of Epirus, while in 1807 he again concluded a treaty with Napoleon and again severed the alliance. In 1820, in consequence of his efforts after complete independence, the Sultan ordered his deposition, and in 1822 Arslan, who had yielded to a false promise of security, was put to death.