Giannis Stathas
Giannis Stathas Γιάννης Σταθάς | |
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Born | 1758 Dounista, Ottoman Empire (now Stathas, Greece) |
Died | 1812 Karvassaras, Ottoman Empire |
Giannis Stathas (
Family background
His father was
Revolutionary acts
In 1804 he formed a regiment to help the Serbs that were rebelling against the Ottoman rule.[1] After that he and some other armatoloi in the Olympus area, declared the revolution against the Sultan. The Russian Emperor Alexander I had promised them help, but they were again left to their fate.
Stathas and a group of Greek military commanders fled to the Aegean sea. In 1807, Kolokotronis met with them in Skiathos. There, Stathas and Nikotsaras were initiated to the Filiki Eteria.
The Black Ships
The group built up a fleet of 70 small ships divided into 10 squadrons. Giannis Iskos was named Admiral of this fleet with Nikotsaras second in command. The fleet allegedly hailed the flag that was to become the Greek national flag after the revolution. All 70 ships were painted black. As, at the time, they were not serving a State and no war was declared, they were considered pirates.
They took action in the Aegean sea, harassing the Turkish navy and blockading major ports in Thessalia, Macedonia and Asia Minor. During their 10-month reign,
After 10 months, heavy winter and lack of ammunition obliged Giannis Stathas to disassemble the fleet.
End of life
He returned to Valtos and little is known for him thereafter. He was allegedly killed in Amfilochia in 1812.
References
- ^ The establishment of the Balkan national states, 1804-1920 by Charles&Barbara Jelavich