Antonis Oikonomou (1786 – December 16, 1821)

From the island of Hydra, he was a Greek rebel and Naval Captain during the Greek War of Independence.

A sailor from a young age, he already had his own ship which ended up being sunk off Gibraltar. Following this event, he headed to Constantinople to commission a new one, while there he was initiated into Filiki Etaireia by Papaflessas.

Oikonomou dedicated himself to the mission of the liberation of Greece, a desire he brought back with him to Hydra.

Hydra at the time was full of wealthy families and shipowners, who had a good thing going under the Turks or did not believe independence via a Revolution could be achieved right at that moment, as well as feeling sidelined by Oikonomou’s plans, they opposed him.

The leaders of Hydra, knowing that most of Oikonomou’s supporters were sailors and already out on the seas, grabbed their opportunity, charging and arresting Oikonomou. With the help of a few allies, he managed to escape to the town of Kranidi and then to Argos in the Peloponnese.

The leaders of Hydra, worried that Oikonomou would drum up more support against them, sent a military contingent to kill him. Theodoros Kolokotronis on discovering the plans, sent 200 men to protect Oikonomou. His men did not reach Oikonomou in time and he was killed.

The irony of this tragedy, is not too long after, Hydra committed to and played an integral part in the Greek Revolution.