The Proestoi: Local Administrators

Proestoi: heads of the non-Muslim communities of the Ottoman Empire. Also known as prokritoi, dimogerontes, epitropoi, archontes, kotsabasides, tsorbatsides, etc.

During the hundred years that preceded the Greek Revolution, the proestoi of the Christian communities claimed some power over the more unruly Ottoman districts. Before the middle of the 18th century, the representatives of the raja knew first hand how the central power, the bureaucracy and the local Muslim authorities worked. The value of their experience proved itself after the second half of the 18th century, when the balance was shaken and new powers sought control over Balkan cities and villages. Sensing the void resulting from these changes, the prokritoi tried to turn developments to their advantage.

Greek proestos
on the eve of
the Revolution, 1811

The proestoi engaged in intense competition with the powerful local Muslim factors and the representatives of the central bureaucracy. They formed alliances on the basis of their personal gains, regardless of the winner. They tried to gain the acceptance of the local community bearing in mind that it could prove particularly useful in the future. They were familiar with administrative and economic mechanisms, making the most out of their contacts. They had the authority to collect taxes (this had been granted to them by the legal Muslim bodies). They also influenced the election of some district authorities. They allied with armed groups and the local Muslim army. In the first quarter of he 19th century, the prokritoi had a catalytic role in the developments in the southern Balkans. And they would soon become involved in revolution, knowing best how to handle contary interests and situations.