The Revolution Begins in Greece
Shortly after Ypsilantis crossed the Pruth, the revolution broke out in the Peloponnese and continental Greece.
leaders of the Philike Etairia had for years been sending agents throughout Greece to initiate new members from all waiks of life. The conspiracy By the beginning of 1821 there were thousands of influential members turn involved the greater part of their local population. Arms and ammunition were being accumulated, and inc numbers of klephts were reorganised by old leaders who had returned from exile. All this activity and continuous secret up an atmosphere of suspense. The populace could see revolution was imminent Turks the rumours and made belated attempts to repair fortifications which had fallen into disuse over many years and to strengthen garrisons in the major towns. Sultan Mahmoud had been attempting since his accession to restore his authority throughout his Empire. In 1820 he began campaign against Ali Pasha, who had set up his own private kingdom centred around Epirus and north-west Greece Ali's resistance divided the Turkish forces and hindered their ability to put down an armed rebellion by a population which far outnumbered the Turks living in Greece The revolutionaries saw this divisive conflict as their opportunity for success If they waited until Ali was defeated, local Turkish forces in Greece would be strengthened to the point where revolution would be easily subdued. Perrevos was in the Peloponnese, sent by Ypsilantis, and he had earlier initiated the Mavromichalis family of the Mani into the Philike Etairia. The Maniotes needed no persuasion to join the struggle and awaited the signal to begin. But Perrevos was right when he had advised Ypsilantis that preparations for revolution were not far enough advanced in Greece. In particular, a psychological unreadiness was apparent, especially among leading landowners and the higher clerg Although they wanted independence, they feared an armed revolt would crumble in the face of Turkish military might. They were also reluctant to risk losing their present November 1820 General Hursit Pasha, who had commanded the Turkish forces that had recently suppressed a Serbian uprising, arrived at the port of Nauplia. His instructions were to investigate rumours of a Greek uprising and to see if peace was threatened. If there was no immediate danger and the Sultan was confident the Greeks would never rise against his armies Hursit had instructions to proceed to Epirus to destroy the power of Ali, who was alread under siege by Turkish forces Hursit was met at Nauplia by the leading Greek primates in an open demonstration of their good faith. They accompanied him to Tripolis Turkish capital and administrative centre of the Peloponnese to further allay his uspicions. It is remarkable that despite all the signs indicating revolt was imminent, Hursit remained only six weeks in Tripolis before setting out for Epirus It was likely he was motivated more by an eagerness gain control of Ali Pasha's