Tracing the contribution of Kalamata and Messinia’s heartland to the epic of independence

Two centuries have elapsed since the Greek Revolution began in 1821. Given that this important historical event of Modern Greek history drastically affected the political and social developments, both in Greece and throughout Europe, an excellent opportunity has arisen to reconsider and study anew the written documents of that tempestuous period in history. At the beginning of the 19th century, while the Holy Alliance determined people’s destinies, the political, social and economic powers of the Greek world dynamically decided to rally around the Philiki Etaireia (“Society of Friends”), and jointly pursue the nation’s long-lasting desire for freedom and independence. As it is well-known, research and studies on the topic of the Greek Revolution constitute a challenging task; this is due to the fact that an increasing number of archival sources has recently come to light; moreover, numerous writings and essays of modern historians regarding the era in question have been collected; finally, there are several interdisciplinary approaches to the different aspects of the Revolution, which were expressed in various ways at the dawn of the 19th century; consequently, the objective examination and subsequent utilization of all this abundant pool of data is not feasible in most cases. As it is well-known, research and studies on the topic of the Greek Revolution constitute a challenging task; this is due to the fact that an increasing number of archival sources has recently come to light; moreover, numerous writings and essays of modern historians regarding the era in question have been collected; finally, there are several interdisciplinary approaches to the different aspects of the Revolution, which were expressed in various ways at the dawn of the 19th century; consequently, the objective examination and subsequent utilization of all this abundant pool of data is not feasible in most cases. In the original structure of the work that was thoroughly re-edited, a Timeline was added with the most important highlights and the heroes of the struggle for independence centered on the Greek diaspora, as it spontaneously emerged upon writing, which makes the overall effort more user-friendly and understandable, not only for the students and the young scientists, but also for all readers who love history. A short comment associated with the subheading of the book “we have unanimously decided to take up arms” is worth mentioning at this point. It is one of the most powerful, well-founded key findings of the “Proclamation to the European Courts”, namely, the first revolutionary Proclamation that was sent from the first liberated Greek city, Kalamata, on March 23, 1821, to the Great Powers, in order for the revolutionaries to communicate the groundbreaking event of the Revolution, while asking for their assistance at the same time.