Epirus Revolt of 1878

Quick Facts: Who was Epirus Revolt of 1878?

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Epirus Revolt of 1878

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A major Greek uprising in Epirus during the Russo-Turkish War, ultimately suppressed by Ottoman forces.

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Origins & Early Life

The 1878 revolt in Epirus was the part of a series of Greek uprisings that occurred in various parts of Ottoman-ruled Greece, as in Macedonia and Crete, during the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). Although Greek officials individually supported the revolt, the Greek Government, being aware of the international situation in eastern Europe at the time, decided not to do so. With the end of the Russo-Turkish War the revolt was soon suppressed. On April 24, 1877, Russia declared war on Ottoman Empire and soon after a series of battles, the Ottoman defeat was imminent. Meanwhile, unofficial circles in Greece saw the war as a great opportunity to incite revolts in a number of Greek-inhabited regions in the Ottoman Empire: Epirus, Macedonia, Thessalia and Crete.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1877, two patriotic organizations were formed in Greece in order to organize an upcoming revolt in Epirus: National Defence (Greek: Εθνική Άμυνα) and Fraternity (Greek: Αδελφότητα). Soon after, the organizations started to create groups of volunteers and to collect weapons and ammunition. In December, distinguished Epirotes that lived in Athens, including General Michail Spyromilios and Dimitrios Botsaris (son of Notis Botsaris), were ready to lead the uprising, but the Greek Government being aware of that situation intervened and stopped their involvement. In February 1878 groups of irregulars passed the Greek-Ottoman border and entered Thessaly and Epirus. The first regions that joined the revolt were Tzoumerka, west of Arta, the region north of Preveza and Radovizio (north Thesprotia).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The uprising was however, ill-prepared and the weaknesses were obvious already from the first days. When the first conflicts with Ottoman troops occurred, most of the revolutionaries retreated to Greece. At Plaka, an Ottoman outpost was overcome by an Epirot unit led by a resigned officer of the Greek Army, Hristos Mitsios. However, upon the arrival of 2,000 Ottoman troops from Ioannina, they had to retreat. Meanwhile, the Russo-Turkish War ended with the Treaty of San Stefano (March 3, 1878).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1877: 1877 Milestone — On April 24, 1877, Russia declared war on Ottoman Empire and soon after a series of battles, the Ottoman defeat was imminent.
2. 1878: 1878 Milestone — The 1878 revolt in Epirus was the part of a series of Greek uprisings that occurred in various parts of Ottoman-ruled Greece, as in Macedonia and Crete, during the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Epirus Revolt of 1878

True or False: “The primary reason for the failure of the 1878 Epirus revolt was the swift conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The Treaty of San Stefano on March 3, 1878, ended hostilities, allowing Ottoman troops to quickly mobilize and suppress resistance.

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