Peloponnesian Senate

Quick Facts: Who was Peloponnesian Senate?

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Peloponnesian Senate

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Provisional governing body of the Peloponnese during the early Greek War of Independence.

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Origins & Early Life

The Senate of the entire People of the Peloponnese provinces (Greek: Γερουσία όλου του Δήμου των επαρχιών της Πελοποννήσου), commonly known as the Peloponnesian Senate (Πελοποννησιακή Γερουσία), was a provisional regime that existed in the Peloponnese during the early stages of the Greek War of Independence. On 25 March 1821 (all the dates are given according to the Julian calendar), a few days after the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence in March 1821, the rebels of the southern Peloponnese, led by the Maniots, assembled at Kalamata and founded the Greek rebels' first organ of government, the Messenian Senate. As the uprising spread through Greece, the Messenian Senate's leader, Petrobey Mavromichalis, invited representatives from the rest of the Peloponnese in an assembly held at the Kaltetza Monastery. There, on 26 May the "Senate of the entire People of the Peloponnese provinces", commonly known, from the legend on its seal, as the "Peloponnesian Senate" and as the "Senate of Kaltetza" (Γερουσία των Καλτετζών), was founded, with Bishop Theodoritos of Vresthena as president and Rigas Palamidis as secretary.

Career & Major Achievements

Sotirios Charalambis, Athanasios Kanakaris, Anagnostis Deligiannis, Theocharis Rentis and Nikolaos Poniropoulos were members. Unlike the modern concept of a "senate" as the upper body of parliament, the Peloponnesian Senate was both a legislative and executive organ. The Senate's constitutional charter was created on 15 December 1821.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 27 May 1821, the Senate moved its seat to the Chrysopege Monastery in Stemnitsa. After the capture of Tripolitsa in September, the Senate established itself in the town in February 1822. The Peloponnesian Senate continued in existence (with Asimakis Fotilas as president after February 1822) until it was dissolved by the Second National Assembly at Astros in April 1823.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1821: 1821 Milestone — On 25 March 1821 (all the dates are given according to the Julian calendar), a few days after the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence in March 1821, the rebels of the southern Peloponnese, led by the Maniots, assembled at Kalamata and founded the Greek rebels' first organ of government, the Messenian Senate.
2. 1822: 1822 Milestone — After the capture of Tripolitsa in September, the Senate established itself in the town in February 1822.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Peloponnesian Senate

True or False: “Did the Peloponnesian Senate function only as a legislative body, similar to an upper house in modern parliaments?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Peloponnesian Senate was both a legislative and executive organ, unlike the modern concept of a senate.

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