The Revolution Begins in Greece Shortly after Ypsilantis crossed the pruth he revolution broke out Peloponnese and continental Greece the leaders of the Philike Etairia had for years been sending agents throughout Greece to initiate new members from all walks of life. The conspiracy spread very widely. By the beginning of 1821 there were thousands of influential members ammunition involved the greater part of their population. Arms and were being accumulated, local of klep and increasing numbers reorganised by old leaders who had returned from exile. All this activity and continuous secret discussions built up an atmosphere of suspense The populace d see revolution was imminent. The Turks overheard the rumours and made attempts to fortifications which had fallen into disuse over many years strengthen garrisons in the major towns. Sultan Mahmoud had been attempting since his ccession to restore his authority throughout his Empire. he began a campaign against Ali Pasha, who had set up his own private kingdom centred around Epirus and north-west Greece. resistance divided the Turkish forces and hindered their ability to put s down an armed rebellion by a population which far outnumbered the Turks iving 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 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 a the higher Although they wanted independence, they feared armed crumbl in the face of Turkish military might. They were also reluctant to risk losing their present privileges. had commanded the Turkish In November 1820 General Hursit Pasha, who rces that had recently suppressed a Serbian uprising, at the o Nauplia. His instructions were to investigate rumours of a Greek and to and the Sultan see if peace was threatened. If there was no immediate danger Hursit had as confident the Greeks would never rise against his armies was alrea to proceed to Epirus to destroy the power of Ali, who under siege by Turkish forces. an open was met at Nauplia by the leading Greek primates demonstration of their good faith. They him to Tripolis Turkish and administrative centre of the Peloponnese to further allay his suspicions. It is remarkable that despite a the signs indicating was imminent. for hkely remained only six eagerness to gain control of Ali he more by an elthens. hirkish soldiers break througb Greek defences