Koinon of the Zagorisians
Encyclopedia
The Koinon of the Zagorisians , alternatively Commons of the Zagorisians, League of the Zagorisians, League of Zagori, or Nohaye Zagor in Turkish, was an autonomous region of the Ottoman Empire
.
Koinon
means "Common", it could be attributed with commonwealth, commune or collective but these terms have associated connotations because of already established usage. The Koinon was a form of government that had existed in various periods in Greek history. In Epirus
itself there had in ancient times existed the Koinon of the Molossians. There was a Koinon of Laconians
, centred around Sparta
and its old dominions for a period under Roman rule
, a Koinon of the Macedonians
, also under Roman rule. In modern Greek history, during the Greek War of Independence
, a local self-government termed Koinon was set up in the islands of Hydra, Spetsai and Psara
.
was a Byzantine
dominion. In 1430-1431, Sinan Pasha, a general of Sultan Murad II
, led an army into Epirus
and fought a series of battles that led to its eventual conquest. Fourteen villages of central Zagori
reached a very favourable agreement with Sinan Pasha, following one such battle (near Votsa), that the Turks would guarantee certain privileges for the region of Zagori in return for vassalage. These privileges included an autonomous government headed by a Head Prelate called Vekylis (elected every 6 months or every year) and a Council of Elders . The Elders were representing each village and were elected locally. The Zagorisians would not pay taxes to the Ottomans but an obligation was agreed upon to maintain a number of attendants to the Sultan’s stables. The Zagorisians maintained even a small armed force called the Spachedes (Σπαχῆδες). Fifty years later, the villages of Eastern Zagori also joined the Treaty.
This agreement, called "Voiniko" was modified in 1670. The Koinon of the Zagorisians was set up and further privileges called "Siouroutia" were established, thanks to the influence of Phanariots of Zagorisian descent. These included the replacement of the obligation to send attendants to the Sultan’s stables with a tax, the free exercise of the Christian faith and significantly the prohibition of entry for Turks into Zagori
. The villages of Western Zagori entered the Koinon of the Zagorisians in 1750.
From 1750, the Vekylis of Zagori
took up residence in Ioannina
, in a House of the Koinon of the Zagorisians or in private. He was responsible for the collection of taxes and for judging civil law
disputes.
During the Ottoman period Zagori
was one of three Greek
regions that enjoyed autonomy under a treaty, the other two were Mani
in the Peloponnese
and Mademochoria in Macedonia
.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
.
Koinon
Koinon
Koinon , meaning "common" and interpreted as "commonwealth", "league" or "federation" were a number of associations of cities in ancient and early modern Greek history. The various federations termed Koinon were:...
means "Common", it could be attributed with commonwealth, commune or collective but these terms have associated connotations because of already established usage. The Koinon was a form of government that had existed in various periods in Greek history. In Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
itself there had in ancient times existed the Koinon of the Molossians. There was a Koinon of Laconians
Koinon of Free Laconians
The Koinon of Free Laconians was established in 21 BC by the Emperor Augustus, giving formal structure to a group of cities that had been associated for almost two centuries.-History:...
, centred around Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
and its old dominions for a period under Roman rule
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, a Koinon of the Macedonians
Ancient Macedonians
The Macedonians originated from inhabitants of the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, in the alluvial plain around the rivers Haliacmon and lower Axios...
, also under Roman rule. In modern Greek history, 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...
, a local self-government termed Koinon was set up in the islands of Hydra, Spetsai and Psara
Psara
Psara is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Together with the small uninhabited island of Antipsara it forms the municipality of Psara. It is part of the Chios peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The only town of the island and seat of the municipality is also called...
.
History
In the 1420s, EpirusEpirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
was a Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
dominion. In 1430-1431, Sinan Pasha, a general of Sultan Murad II
Murad II
Murad II Kodja was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1421 to 1451 ....
, led an army into Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
and fought a series of battles that led to its eventual conquest. Fourteen villages of central Zagori
Central Zagori
Central Zagori is a former municipality in the Ioannina regional unit, Epirus, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Zagori, of which it is a municipal unit. Its population was 1601 in 2001. The seat of the municipality was in Asprangeloi....
reached a very favourable agreement with Sinan Pasha, following one such battle (near Votsa), that the Turks would guarantee certain privileges for the region of Zagori in return for vassalage. These privileges included an autonomous government headed by a Head Prelate called Vekylis (elected every 6 months or every year) and a Council of Elders . The Elders were representing each village and were elected locally. The Zagorisians would not pay taxes to the Ottomans but an obligation was agreed upon to maintain a number of attendants to the Sultan’s stables. The Zagorisians maintained even a small armed force called the Spachedes (Σπαχῆδες). Fifty years later, the villages of Eastern Zagori also joined the Treaty.
This agreement, called "Voiniko" was modified in 1670. The Koinon of the Zagorisians was set up and further privileges called "Siouroutia" were established, thanks to the influence of Phanariots of Zagorisian descent. These included the replacement of the obligation to send attendants to the Sultan’s stables with a tax, the free exercise of the Christian faith and significantly the prohibition of entry for Turks into Zagori
Zagori
Zagori , is a region and a municipality in the Pindus mountains in Epirus, in northwestern Greece. The seat of the municipality is the village Asprangeloi. It has an area of some 1,000 square kilometres and contains 45 villages known as Zagoria , and is in the shape of an upturned equilateral...
. The villages of Western Zagori entered the Koinon of the Zagorisians in 1750.
From 1750, the Vekylis of Zagori
Zagori
Zagori , is a region and a municipality in the Pindus mountains in Epirus, in northwestern Greece. The seat of the municipality is the village Asprangeloi. It has an area of some 1,000 square kilometres and contains 45 villages known as Zagoria , and is in the shape of an upturned equilateral...
took up residence in Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
, in a House of the Koinon of the Zagorisians or in private. He was responsible for the collection of taxes and for judging civil law
Civil law (area)
Civil law in continental law is a branch of law which is the general part of private law.The basis for civil law lies in a civil code. Before enacting of codes, civil law could not be distinguished from private law...
disputes.
During the Ottoman period Zagori
Zagori
Zagori , is a region and a municipality in the Pindus mountains in Epirus, in northwestern Greece. The seat of the municipality is the village Asprangeloi. It has an area of some 1,000 square kilometres and contains 45 villages known as Zagoria , and is in the shape of an upturned equilateral...
was one of three Greek
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....
regions that enjoyed autonomy under a treaty, the other two were Mani
Mani Peninsula
The Mani Peninsula , also long known as Maina or Maïna, is a geographical and cultural region in Greece. Mani is the central peninsula of the three which extend southwards from the Peloponnese in southern Greece. To the east is the Laconian Gulf, to the west the Messenian Gulf...
in the Peloponnese
Peloponnese
The Peloponnese, Peloponnesos or Peloponnesus , is a large peninsula , located in a region of southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth...
and Mademochoria in Macedonia
Macedonia (Greece)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
.