The most complete information guide about Athens, Greece
HISTORY
OF ATHENS
Athens
in the unsettled 18th century
The
18th century is considered to be a period when the local, communal
authorities, Muslims and non-Muslims, flourished. In Athens, as
in other places, this meant intense conflict over the control
of the community. The conflicts involved both Christian religious
leaders and the local Ottoman authorities.
In
around 1710 Dimitrios Palaiologos, a Christian Orthodox, was appointed
voyvoda (governor) for the first time. He was later assassinated
by Muslims although powerful members of the Christian community
probably also were involved in the killing.
In
1754, Athenian Christians and Muslims rose up in protest against
the arbitrariness of the voyvoda Sari Musellem. The uprising was
suppressed by troops from Chalkis and, in 1758, Mustafa Ali Tsisdarakis
became the new voyvoda. Later he would build the mosque that still
carries his name on Monastiraki Square.
Conditions
for the Christian population of Athens worsened during the Russian-Ottoman
War of 1768-1774 and especially with the campaigns of the Russian
admiral Orlov in the Aegean in which a large number of Christians
took part. During these operations, Salamis was taken over by
armed Christians, which led to a deterioration of Christian-Muslim
relationships in Athens since Muslims considered the Christians
as potential allies of the Russians.
The
years 1775-1795 were marked by the presence of the city’s
voyvoda Hadji Ali Haseki. In the beginning he maintained good
relationships with the bishopric and the elders of the community.
Some time later, however, a large part of the Christian community
turned against him followed by the bishopric. With the support
of the majority of the Christians, they protested in Constantinople
against his heavy taxation. Haseki was replaced for a short time
but managed to regain his position in 1788 and keep it until 1791.
His
violent policies made times unsettled for many Athenians, some
of whom had to abandon the city. Haseki was beheaded in 1795 by
order of the Grand Vizier (very powerful position in the Ottoman
Empire) and many Athenians returned home again. However, the city’s
population had been dramatically reduced because of these conflicts
as well as because of outbreaks of plague in 1789 and 1792.
Soon
after these events Lord Elgin, Ambassador
of Great Britain in Constantinople, obtained permission from the
sultan to remove materials from archaeological monuments in Athens
and take them to England. Thus, much of de sculpted decoration
of the Acropolis, which today can be seen in the British Museum
in London, was stolen.