Giorgio Basta was an Epirote Aromanian.  He was born in Italy near Naples. Giorgio committed himself to the military at an early age, joining an Italian mercenary unit. He faced the Dutch uprisings at the end of the 16th century while fighting as a mercenary in France and Germanic countries. After years of military service, he joined the Austrian Emperor Rudolf II of Hapsburg's army in 1590 and advanced quite instantly to the rank of general. The author says: This prodigy of valor was born in the small village of S. Martino near Taranto, a brave Epirote captain who fought for 40 years under the Austrian dynasty which also reigned in Naples, and who abandoned his homeland after Turks took over Constantinople Giorgio Basta ishte një arumun Epirot. Ai lindi në Itali pranë Napolit. Giorgio iu përkushtua ushtrisë në moshë të re, duke u bashkuar me një njësi mercenarësh italianë. Ai u përball me kryengritjet holandeze në fund të shekullit të 16-të, ndërsa luftonte si mercenar në F...