The inhabitants of Chios rose up against Ottoman rule on March 11, 1822, instigated by the Samians led by Lykourgos Logothetis. By order of the Sultan, angered by the defiance of the Chians, who enjoyed privileged status, the Turkish fleet under Kara-Ali arrived at the island. After intense bombardment, 7,000 men were disembarked on the island. The poorly designed Greek uprising was easily suppressed, as Logothetis and the Samians abandoned the island. This was followed by the burning of the entire island and terrible massacres. Tens of thousands of Christians were slaughtered, and many ended up as slaves. The event shocked Europeans, causing a wave of philhellenic sentiment. In June 1822, the Greeks achieved heroic revenge by setting fire to the Turkish flagship led by Konstantinos Kanaris, which ultimately led to the death of Kara-Ali himself. The massacre of Chios was immortalized in the eponymous painting by Eugène Delacroix and in the poem “The Greek Boy” by Victor Hugo.
Face value: €5
Diameter: 31 mm
Weight: 17 gr
Edge: plain
Material: silver (Ag) 33.3%
Packaging: tri-fold packaging in a case
Maximum printing quantity: 5,000 pieces
Printing quality: carefully cut (proof-like)
Artist: G. Stamopoulos – M. Antonatou
