Zisis Karadimos (1658 – 1705)

Zisis Karadimos (1658 – 1705)

From Naousa in Macedonia, he was a Greek rebel and armatolos, who led a revolt against the Turks in Macedonia, in 1705.

Zisis Karadimos was a well-known and respected Armatolos of the 17th century, who protected the local Greeks against attacks and injustices from Ottoman authorities.

In 1705, a representative of the Sultan arrived in Naousa from Constantinople, to take 50 Greek children of his choosing from their families, in their ongoing παιδιομάζωμα campaign, to be brought up as Turks and raised as janissaries.

The presence of the Sultan’s representative and his entourage, provoked a reaction from Zisis Karadimos, who responded by saying “we shall not surrender our sons to muslims” in the process, killing the Ottoman officer and his entourage.

Following this encounter, Karadimos proclaimed and led a revolt in an area between Naousa and Veria, with his force of 100 men, which included 2 of his sons.

The Turks responded angrily, by sending in over 1000 officers to quash the rebellion. Karadimos’ men fought manfully, but became trapped near the Arapitsa river and his forces were overrun.

Many of his men were killed on the spot, some escaped, dozens more civilians were arrested and imprisoned, while Zisis Karadimos and his 2 sons Vasilis and Dimitris were apprehended forced to sit a sham trial and all 3 were hanged from a tree in Veria.