Andreas Londos
Encyclopedia
Andreas Londos was a Greek
military leader and politician
. Born in Vostitsa
in 1786, he was initiated into the Filiki Eteria
in 1818 and was one of the first military leaders to raise the banner of revolt in the Peloponnese during the Greek War of Independence
.
On 26 January 1821, under the ruse of a land dispute between landowners, Londos and other leading landowners, primates and bishops of the Filiki Eteria
, including Andreas Zaimis
and Germanos of Patras
, met Papaflessas
at the Monastery of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Vostitsa
to discuss plans for an uprising against the Turks. At first skeptical of Papaflessas
's rhetoric for general uprising, Londos and the other leaders eventually raised the banner of independence on 10 March 1821 at the monastery of Agia Lavra
after the Bey of Tripoli imprisoned and threatened to execute several leading Greek Bishops.
On 23 March 1821, he and 400 Greek fighters marched on Vostitsa
. Hearing rumours of a general insurrection, the Turks fled across the Gulf of Corinth and took refuge at Amfissa
. The Greeks captured the town without a fight. Leaving 200 men as a garrison, Londos then marched on Patras
to join the siege of the city's fortress.
In July 1822, at Akrata
, a force of Greek fighters under Londos, Zaimis and Petmezas surrounded and attacked a group of 4000 Turks marching to Patras
after their defeat by Nikitaras
at Dervenakia
. Only a few Turks were lucky to escape when Yusuf Pasha sent ships to take them to Patras.
Andreas Londos, with his friend and ally Andreas Zaimis, were later embroiled in the political intrigues surrounding the claims of two factions to legitimacy of government. At first siding with the government (then led by Georgios Kountouriotis
), Londos later joined the Peloponnesian leaders against the government of Ioannis Kolettis
, and was subsequently on the losing side of the civil war of 1824.
Following Greek independence, he became involved in the September 3 Movement
that finally secured a constitution for the people of Greece
.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
military leader and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Born in Vostitsa
Aigio
Aigio is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Its population is around 30,000. Aigio is surrounded by trees in the north and cliffs in the...
in 1786, he was initiated into the Filiki Eteria
Filiki Eteria
thumb|right|200px|The flag of the Filiki Eteria.Filiki Eteria or Society of Friends was a secret 19th century organization, whose purpose was to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece and to establish an independent Greek state. Society members were mainly young Phanariot Greeks from Russia and local...
in 1818 and was one of the first military leaders to raise the banner of revolt in the Peloponnese during the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
.
On 26 January 1821, under the ruse of a land dispute between landowners, Londos and other leading landowners, primates and bishops of the Filiki Eteria
Filiki Eteria
thumb|right|200px|The flag of the Filiki Eteria.Filiki Eteria or Society of Friends was a secret 19th century organization, whose purpose was to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece and to establish an independent Greek state. Society members were mainly young Phanariot Greeks from Russia and local...
, including Andreas Zaimis
Andreas Zaimis
Andreas Asimakou Zaimis was a Greek freedom fighter and government leader during the Greek War of Independence.Born in Kalavryta, in the northern Peloponnesos, Zaimis was a leader of armed men who fought the Ottoman Turks, ultimately securing Greece's freedom.In 1826, Zaimis was chosen as the...
and Germanos of Patras
Germanos of Patras
Germanos was an Orthodox Metropolitan of Patras.Germanos was born in Dimitsana, northwestern Arcadia, Peloponnese...
, met Papaflessas
Papaflessas
Papaflessas , born Grigorios Demetrios Flessas , was a Greek patriot, priest, and government official of the old Flessas Family. The word papa- in the name "Papaflessas" indicates his status as a cleric since the word means "priest" in Greek...
at the Monastery of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Vostitsa
Aigio
Aigio is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Its population is around 30,000. Aigio is surrounded by trees in the north and cliffs in the...
to discuss plans for an uprising against the Turks. At first skeptical of Papaflessas
Papaflessas
Papaflessas , born Grigorios Demetrios Flessas , was a Greek patriot, priest, and government official of the old Flessas Family. The word papa- in the name "Papaflessas" indicates his status as a cleric since the word means "priest" in Greek...
's rhetoric for general uprising, Londos and the other leaders eventually raised the banner of independence on 10 March 1821 at the monastery of Agia Lavra
Agia Lavra
Agia Lavra is a monastery near Kalavryta, Achaea, Greece. It was built in 961 AD, on Helmos Mountain, at an altitude of 961 meters, and can be described as the symbolic birth-place of modern Greece. It stands as one of the oldest monasteries in the Peloponnese.It was built in 10th century but was...
after the Bey of Tripoli imprisoned and threatened to execute several leading Greek Bishops.
On 23 March 1821, he and 400 Greek fighters marched on Vostitsa
Aigio
Aigio is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Its population is around 30,000. Aigio is surrounded by trees in the north and cliffs in the...
. Hearing rumours of a general insurrection, the Turks fled across the Gulf of Corinth and took refuge at Amfissa
Amfissa
Amfissa is a town and a former municipality in Phocis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Delphi, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It is also the capital of the regional unit of Phocis...
. The Greeks captured the town without a fight. Leaving 200 men as a garrison, Londos then marched on Patras
Patras
Patras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens...
to join the siege of the city's fortress.
In July 1822, at Akrata
Akrata
Akrata, is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is a municipal unit. The location is in a valley with two mountaintops. The river named Krathi flows near the center of Akrata. ...
, a force of Greek fighters under Londos, Zaimis and Petmezas surrounded and attacked a group of 4000 Turks marching to Patras
Patras
Patras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens...
after their defeat by Nikitaras
Nikitaras
Nikitaras was the nom de guerre of Nikitas Stamatelopoulos , a Greek revolutionary in the Greek War of Independence. Due to his fighting prowess, he was known as the "Τουρκοφάγος" , literally "Turk-Eater"....
at Dervenakia
Dervenakia
Dervenakia are small hamlets in the prefecture of Corinthia, in northeastern Peloponnesus . The name is derived from the Turkish word derven, meaning mountain pass....
. Only a few Turks were lucky to escape when Yusuf Pasha sent ships to take them to Patras.
Andreas Londos, with his friend and ally Andreas Zaimis, were later embroiled in the political intrigues surrounding the claims of two factions to legitimacy of government. At first siding with the government (then led by Georgios Kountouriotis
Georgios Kountouriotis
Georgios Kountouriotis was a Greek ship-owner and politician who served as prime minister from March to October 1848. He was born in 1782 on the Saronic island of Hydra to an Arvanite family...
), Londos later joined the Peloponnesian leaders against the government of Ioannis Kolettis
Ioannis Kolettis
Ioannis Kolettis was a Greek politician who played a significant role in Greek affairs from the Greek War of Independence through the early years of the Greek Kingdom, including as Minister to France and serving twice as Prime Minister....
, and was subsequently on the losing side of the civil war of 1824.
Following Greek independence, he became involved in the September 3 Movement
Greek coup d'état of 1843
The 3 September 1843 Revolution , was an uprising by the Greek Army in Athens, supported by large sections of the people, against the autocratic rule of King Otto. The rebels, led by veterans of the Greek War of Independence, demanded the granting of a constitution and the departure of the Bavarian...
that finally secured a constitution for the people of Greece
Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers...
.