Peloponnesian Uprising of 1770

an uprising of the Greek people against the military and feudal oppression of the Ottoman Empire.

The uprising, which engulfed the southern part of the Peloponnesus, took place during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–74. It began on Feb. 18 (Mar. 1), 1770, when the Russian squadron of Admiral G. A. Spiridov appeared off the coast of Greece and a Russian landing party was put ashore on the southern coast of the Peloponnesus. The uprising was led by the local aristocracy, including P. Benakis and Mavromikhalis, who had been in contact with the Russian government before the war began.

Between February and April the rebel “legions” together with the Russian sailors liberated a large part of the southern Peloponnesus, including the cities of Pilos, Kalamai, and Mistras. However, poor organization and a shortage of military equipment among the rebels as well as errors by the Russian command led to the defeat of the uprising and the departure of the Russian squadron on May 27 (June 7), 1770. The uprising was harshly suppressed in May, the Peloponnesus was laid waste, and thousands of its inhabitants fell victim to repressions. Nevertheless, the Peloponnesian uprising played an important role in the national liberation movement in Greece.