Gjin Bua Shpata
| Gjin Bua Shpata | |
|---|---|
| Despot of Arta | |
Depiction of Gjin Bua Shpata or possibly Muriq Shpata, Church of the Parigoritissa, Arta, late 14th-early 15th century. | |
| Born | First half of the 14th century Epirus |
| Died | 29 October 1399 |
| Spouse | Unknown Helena Preljubović |
| Issue | Irene Shpata |
| House | Shpata family |
| Father | Pjetër Bua Shpata |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodoxy |
Gjin Bua Shpata (sometimes anglicized as John Spata) (fl. 1358 – 29 October 1399) was an Albanian ruler of the despotate of Arta in Western Greece with the title of Despot. Together with Pjetër Losha, he led raids into Epirus, Acarnania and Aetolia in 1358. He was recognized as Despot by the titular Eastern Roman Emperor in the early 1360s and ruled Aetolia (1360s–?), Angelokastron (?–1399), Naupactus (1378–1399), and Arta (1370s–1399). He was born sometime in the first half of the 14th century in Epirus, as his father was a ruler in the region.