The 20 Events That Defined the Greek War of Independence
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- 28 Mar 2023
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The Greek War of Independence, which brought about the birth of the modern Hellenic nation, is full of memorable events, most of them bloody battles and incredible feats of heroism.
The war cry “Freedom or Death” echoed across Greece as a smattering of heroes fought against the vast army and navy of the Ottoman Empire, the underarmed against the well-armed, those desperate for freedom against their complacent overlords.
The spark was provided by enlightened Greeks living mostly in Europe and Russia, thirsty for the rebirth of a once-glorious nation that had been deliberately reduced to a land of poor, uneducated masses subservient to their Ottoman rulers.
1814: The founding of the Filiki Eteria sparks Greek War of Independence
The Filiki Eteria, or Society of Friends, was a secret organization founded in 1814 in Odessa, Russia (now in Ukraine) with the purpose of overthrowing Ottoman rule in Greece and establishing an independent Greek state.
The Society’s members were mainly educated, young Phanariot Greeks from Constantinople and the Russian Empire, but also included Greek politicians and military leaders and affluent academics as well as several Orthodox Christian leaders from other nations.
March 13, 1821: Bouboulina raises the flag of revolution
The first flag of the revolution was actually raised on the island of Spetses by Laskarina Bouboulina. Twice widowed, with seven children, she was extremely wealthy, owning several ships.
On April 3 Spetses revolted against Ottoman rule, followed by the islands of Hydra and Psara. Between them the islands had a fleet of over 300 ships to use in the War. Bouboulina and her fleet of eight ships sailed to Nafplion and took part in the siege of the impregnable fortress there. Read More…
