The unknown contribution of Constantine Polychroniadis in the promotion of the Greek Revolution
Reprint and translation (with editing and introductory comments) of the works of Konstantinos Polychroniadis: CONSIDERATIONS ON CURRENT WAR BETWEEN THE GREEKS AND TURKS, Paris, 1821, REMARKS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF TURKEY, CONSIDERED IN ITS COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL RELATION WITH ENGLAND, London, 1821.
Quarterly version (French, English, Greek, Turkish) by: Bertrand Bouvier, hellenist, Emeritus Professor at the University of Geneva, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens Matteo Campagnolo, historian, hellenist, Lecturer at the University of Geneva Nikolaos Nikoloudis, historian, Doctor of History, University of London Irini Sarioglou, historian, Professor at the University of Istanbul, General Secretary of IDISME (Hellenic History Foundation).
The attractive, for the British establishment, content of Konstantinos Polychroniadis’ texts was a precondition for the further development of the philhellenic movement in Britain. It is noteworthy that almost immediately after the publication of this text, on August 1st 1821, the Times newspaper, a prominent promoter of the views of the British establishment, reprinted extensive excerpts of it, commenting favorably: “If the Greeks win over the European public opinion, they will succeed in overthrowing the barbaric oppression of the infidels”
Konstantinos Polychroniadis from Zagori, in Epirus, a member of the circles of Adamantios Korais and Alexandros Mavrokordatos, describes in his short texts the situation of the enslaved Greeks in the Ottoman Empire in 1821 and explains to the French and British the inevitability of the revolt of the Greeks.
Although the Greek Revolution unfolded mainly on the battlefields, the diplomatic aspect of the Greek struggle and publications in Europe in favor of the struggling Greeks played an important role in its successful completion. This latter factor has not been researched in depth to this day. Polychroniadis’ two pamphlets - translated into Greek and Turkish for the first time - contribute substantially to the wider promotion of the role and influence of intellectuals of the Greek diaspora, in shaping a favorable public opinion in the context of European states.