Emmanouil Tombazis
Encyclopedia
Emmanouil Tombazis was a Greek
naval captain from Hydra, active during the Greek War of Independence
, who was appointed Commissioner
of Crete
for the Greek provisional government in 1823–1824 and naval minister for a short period in 1828.
He was the son of Nikolaos Tombazis and brother of Iakovos Tombazis
. During the early years of the War of Independence, he participated in several naval battles and served as a representative for his native island in the national assemblies of Epidaurus
and Astros
.
Appointed Commissioner for Crete in early 1823, he arrived on the island on 21 May 1823 at the fort of Kissamos
with a small fleet of five warships, three transports and 600, mostly Epirote, volunteers. His arrival gave new impetus and hope to Cretan insurgents, notably since the Ottoman Turks
at the fort surrendered shortly after his arrival, on May 25, and this was followed by other victories.
However, Tombazis was criticised for his delay in organising a military force to repel the expected arrival of 12,000 Turkish-Egyptian soldiers under the command of Hussein Bey, a son-in-law of Muhammad Ali of Egypt
. When he finally gathered 3,000 insurgents at Gergeri
they were no match for the larger and better-trained force at the battle of Amourgelles on 20 August 1823.
In 1828 he was appointed by Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias
as Minister for Naval Affairs, but resigned shortly after when he disagreed with his policies. He died at Hydra in 1831, leaving behind a son, Nikolaos (1815–1896).
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....
naval captain from Hydra, active 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...
, who was appointed Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
of Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
for the Greek provisional government in 1823–1824 and naval minister for a short period in 1828.
He was the son of Nikolaos Tombazis and brother of Iakovos Tombazis
Iakovos Tombazis
Iakovos "Yiakoumakis" Tombazis was a merchant and ship-owner from the Greek island of Hydra who became the first Admiral of the Greek Navy during the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire . Tombazis' date of birth is not known but some historians suggest 1782. He was the son of...
. During the early years of the War of Independence, he participated in several naval battles and served as a representative for his native island in the national assemblies of Epidaurus
First National Assembly at Epidaurus
The First National Assembly of Epidaurus was the first meeting of the Greek National Assembly, a national representative political gathering of the Greek revolutionaries.The assembly opened in December 1821 at Piada...
and Astros
Second National Assembly at Astros
The Second National Assembly at Astros was the second Greek National Assembly, a national representative body of the Greeks who had rebelled against the Ottoman Empire....
.
Appointed Commissioner for Crete in early 1823, he arrived on the island on 21 May 1823 at the fort of Kissamos
Kissamos
Kissamos is a town and municipality in the west of the island of Crete, Greece. It is part of the Chania peripheral unit and of the former Kissamos Province which covers the northwest corner of the island. The city of Kissamos is also known as Kastelli-Kissamou and often known simply as Kastelli...
with a small fleet of five warships, three transports and 600, mostly Epirote, volunteers. His arrival gave new impetus and hope to Cretan insurgents, notably since the Ottoman Turks
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
at the fort surrendered shortly after his arrival, on May 25, and this was followed by other victories.
However, Tombazis was criticised for his delay in organising a military force to repel the expected arrival of 12,000 Turkish-Egyptian soldiers under the command of Hussein Bey, a son-in-law of Muhammad Ali of Egypt
Muhammad Ali of Egypt
Muhammad Ali Pasha al-Mas'ud ibn Agha was a commander in the Ottoman army, who became Wāli, and self-declared Khedive of Egypt and Sudan...
. When he finally gathered 3,000 insurgents at Gergeri
Gergeri
Gergeri is the seat of Rouvas municipality in Heraklion Prefecture in the Greek island of Crete. The population was 1,809. Gergeri's location is at a region called "Pano Riza" of Psiloreiti's, and in that region there are also the villages Panasos,Nivritos,Zaros,Vorizia and Kamares...
they were no match for the larger and better-trained force at the battle of Amourgelles on 20 August 1823.
In 1828 he was appointed by Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias
Ioannis Kapodistrias
Count Ioannis Antonios Kapodistrias |Academy of Athens]] Critical Observations about the 6th-Grade History Textbook"): "3.2.7. Σελ. 40: Δεν αναφέρεται ότι ο Καποδίστριας ήταν Κερκυραίος ευγενής." "...δύο ιστορικούς της Aκαδημίας κ.κ...
as Minister for Naval Affairs, but resigned shortly after when he disagreed with his policies. He died at Hydra in 1831, leaving behind a son, Nikolaos (1815–1896).