Rendered in the form Dousmanes by Procopius, it was the name of one of the Illyrian-Thracian forts rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century AD.

[5][6] Through various ways, the Republic of Venice won over local nobility in the Scutari region and thereby created a certain security zone around their possessions against the Ottomans.

[13] Lekë's daughter Irene (Jerina) became famous while there was a dispute for her which brought the first defection among the members of League of Lezhë which led toward the Albanian–Venetian War (1447–48).

[citation needed] In Drisht, Dushmani’s gathered Venetian opponents, and partnering up with Lekë Dukagjini readied for rebellion in the city and among the villages.

[15] They planned to attack Venetian-controlled Drisht,[16] but the plot was discovered, and in March 1451 the Council of Forty had Dushmani convicted to 30 years of exile from Venetian holdings in Albania.