Ahmed Karamanides

Ahmed Karamanides
Consul of Theodoro-Samos
In office 1 January, 1835 – 31 December, 1837 Serving with Dimitrios Christidis
Preceded by	Bruna Fyder
Succeeded by	Bruna Fyder
In office 1 January, 1831 – 31 December, 1833 Serving with Dimitrios Christidis
Preceded by	Alexandros Kanaris
Succeeded by	Bruna Fyder
In office 1 January, 1827 – 31 December, 1829 Serving with Lykourgos Logothetis
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Alexandros Kanaris
Consul of Revolutionary Rumelia
In office 15 January, 1822 – 15 January, 1826 Serving with various
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Various
Consul of the Republic of Theodoro
In office 11 February, 1820 – 11 February, 1822 (de jure) 31 December, 1834 (de facto) Serving with Alexandros Kanaris
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Personal details
Born	1789 Despotate of the Parathalassias, Serene Principality of Theodoro
Died	14 October, 1838 (age 49) Doros, Principality of Theodoro, Theodoro-Samos
Political party	Peasant-Footsoldier Faction (1819-1822) Moderate Party (1822-1827) Populares (1827-1838)

Ahmed Karamanides, sometimes known as Adam Karamanides, was a Theodoran revolutionary, military leader, and statesman of Crimean Tatar descent. Noted for his leadership during several periods of conflict, and for his role in the formation of Theodoro-Samos, Karamanides is regarded as a national hero in the modern-day Theodorous and the Parathalassias, greatly admired for his efforts to democratise Theodoro and champion the broader cause of Greek self-determination.

Biography

Born in 1789 to a Tatar family that had converted to Orthodox Christianity, Karamanides gained prominence as a peasant leader during the Theodoran Revolution of 1819. After joining with Alexandros Kanaris to lead the peasant-footsoldier faction to victory, Karamanides became a Consul (joint head of state) of the new Republic of Theodoro. Soon after becoming Consul, Karamanides became involved in the cause of the Greek revolutionaries, and participated in the formation of Revolutionary Rumelia, allying with various Maniot, Continental Greek, Insular, and Danubian entities against the Ottoman Empire. Theodoran support, coupled with Karamanides' close relationship with the leaders of Russia, has been cited as a key reason for the success of the Greek revolutionaries in defeating the Ottomans and establishing the First Hellenic Republic; nonetheless, the Greeks soon seceded from Rumelia. Karamanides subsequently oversaw the consolidation of the alliance's remaining members, the Republic of Theodoro and the Military-Political System of Samos, into a new, more unified state, known colloquially as Theodoro-Samos. Karamanides went on to serve three non-consecutive terms as a Consul of Theodoro-Samos, remaining politically active until his death in 1838.

Legacy

Historians have offered varying assessments of Karamanides and the efficacy of his actions. Within the Principality, and throughout the broader Hellenic world, he is often regarded as a pro-democracy moderniser and a champion of Greeks in their struggle for self-determination. More critical analyses have noted his failure to maintain the unity of Revolutionary Rumelia, resulting in most Greeks continuing to live under Ottoman rule for the next century, as well as his weak leadership as Consul of Theodoro-Samos, resulting in his nation's reversion to monarchy immediately after Karamanides' death.