League of Zagori
The League of Zagori ( Greek Κοινόν των Ζαγορισίων Kinon ton Zagorision , community of the Zagoris', Turkish Norhaye Zagor ) was an autonomous region of the Ottoman Empire in the area of Epirus in Greece.
term
Ancient Greek koinon means 'the common' and could also designate a confederation or a state community. There have been koina at different periods in the history of Greece . In Epirus itself there was the Koinon of the Molossis in prehistoric times . In addition, there was the Koinon of the free Laconians in the area of Sparta during the time of Roman rule , as well as a Koinon of the Macedonians . During the Greek War of Independence , a so-called Kinon was also formed on the islands of Hydra , Spetses and Psara .
history
In the 1420s, Epirus was under the rule of the Byzantine Empire . 1430–1431 Sinan Pasha, a general of Sultan Murad II , led an army to Epirus and fought several battles that ultimately led to the submission of the area.
Fourteen villages in the area of central Zagori (gr. Kendriko Zagori Κεντρικό Ζαγόρι) came to a very advantageous agreement with Sinan Pasha after a battle near Votsa . The conquerors guaranteed the villages certain privileges in return for allegiance . This included independent administration by a vekylis ( Greek Βεκύλης , from Turkish vekil , 'deputy'), who was newly elected every six months, and a council of elders ( Greek Δημογεροντία Dimogerondia ). The elders represented their respective village and were elected there. The Zagoris were excluded from the Tımar system and did not pay taxes, but were required to send stable boys to the Sultan's army in Istanbul for a certain period of time. The Zagoris had their own small troop of Sipahi ( Greek Σπαχήδες Spachides ), mounted soldiers. Fifty years later, the villages to the east of Zagori joined this alliance.
The Voiniko ( Greek Βοϊνικό ), as the agreement was called, was expanded in 1670. The community was called Kinon for the first time , and other privileges, so-called siouroutia ( σιουρούτια ), were granted. This happened due to the influence of Phanariotes of Zagorian origin. This included the replacement of stable boys with a tax, the free exercise of the Christian faith and, significantly, a ban on Turks from entering the area. In 1750 the villages to the west of Zagori also joined the alliance.
From 1750 the Vekylis took up residence in Ioannina , in a building belonging to the Kinon or in private houses. He was responsible for collecting taxes and for civil judgments.
Under the Ottoman rule, Zagori was one of the three Greek regions that maintained relative autonomy through treaties. The other two regions were the Mani Peninsula in the Peloponnese and Mademochoria in Macedonia .
literature
- Vasilis Minakakis (Βασίλης Μηνακάκης): Zagorochoria ( Ζαγοροχώρια ). Explorer, Athens 2006, ISBN 978-960-8303-17-1
Individual evidence
- ↑ Vasilis Binakakis (Βασίλης Μπινακάκης): Ζαγοροχώρια. Explorer, Athens 2006