Panos Bitsilis
Encyclopedia
Panos Bitzilis was an 18th century General Consul of Russia in Albania
and Himara
.
Bitzilis came from a notable family of Himarë
, modern Albania
, then Ottoman Empire
, that provided several officers to the Regimento Cimarioto (Himariote regiment) of the Venetian
army. Additionally, it was also the first clan in Himara than offered its services to the Russian
Army. Panos Bitsilis, being an influential personality, became the Russian consul in Albania and Himara, in the 1780s.
During the Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774) together with Loudovikos Sotiris from Lefkada
, became the revolutionary leaders of an uprising in Epirus
against the Ottomans. He was also probably member of the Greek patriotic organization Filiki Eteria
.
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and Himara
.
Bitzilis came from a notable family of Himarë
Himarë
Himarë is a bilingual region and municipality along the Albanian Riviera in southern Albania and part of the District of Vlorë. Apart from the town of Himarë, the region consists of 7 other villages: Dhërmi, Pilur, Kudhës, Qeparo, Vuno, Iljas, and Palasë....
, modern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, then Ottoman Empire
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...
, that provided several officers to the Regimento Cimarioto (Himariote regiment) of the Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
army. Additionally, it was also the first clan in Himara than offered its services to the Russian
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
Army. Panos Bitsilis, being an influential personality, became the Russian consul in Albania and Himara, in the 1780s.
During the Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774) together with Loudovikos Sotiris from Lefkada
Lefkada
Lefkada, or Leucas or Leucadia , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece, connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Lefkada . It is situated on the northern part of the island,...
, became the revolutionary leaders of an uprising 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...
against the Ottomans. He was also probably member of the Greek patriotic organization 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...
.