The structure of the hellenic society

THE STRUCTURE OF THE HELLENIC SOCIETY OF THE 1453 -1571 JASON SIAMANTAS DIMITRIS PAPAS PANAGIOTIS MALELIS GEORGE PILARINOS

Introduction  The structure of the Greek

community changes from the invasion of Istanbul and after. The vast majority of the population the Ottoman Empire live in rural areas away from urban centers. For this and the Sultans of the High Gate gave from the first moment great importance on decentralized management. So each community gets (δημογέροντες) and each province (κοτζαμπάσηδες).

ΟΙ ΔΗΜΟΓΕΡΟΝΤΕΣ  The (δημογέροντες) or Commissioners were

elected on an annual basis by the adult men of Christian communities. Each community had either one or two (δημογέροντες) who belong to the first degree of local selfgovernment and had accountability and eligible for re-election. Their tasks were extended to all events of public and private life of residents. Also (δημογέροντες) had the obligation to compile their tax lists.

ΟΙ ΚΟΤΖΑΜΠΑΣΗΔΕΣ  The (κοτζαμπάσηδες) were elected by the whole of

Commissioners (δημογερόντων) province. They had an annual term while they belonged to B stage local authorities. They were administrative and judicial powers and collected taxes in conjunction with the Commissioners (δημογέροντες).

The church  Even more active role in

community life and played the church. The bishop had the powers of jurisdiction urban affairs. While the priests came to indicate the appropriate persons for the position of Commissioners (δημογέροντα) while many times were elected and themselves.

 In conclusion we would say that these three positions

(δημογέροντα, κοτζαμπάση, priest ) practiced the power and shaped the Greek Christian settlements from the destruction of Constantinople up to the Battle of Lepanto.

ΤΕΛΟΣ

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