First National Assembly at Epidaurus
The First National Assembly of Epidaurus was the first meeting of the Greek National Assembly, a national representative political gathering of the Greek revolutionaries.
History
The assembly opened in December 1821 at Piada. It was attended by representatives from regions involved in the revolution against Ottoman rule.The majority of the representatives were local notables and clergymen from the Peloponnese, Central Greece and the islands. In addition, a number of Phanariots and academics attended. However, a number of prominent revolutionaries, including Alexander Ypsilantis and the most prominent military leaders were absent. Of the 59 representatives at the assembly, 20 were landowners, 13 were ship-owners, 12 were intellectuals, 4 were military leaders, 3 were archpriests, 3 were merchants.
The first document adopted by the assembly proclaimed the independence of the Greek nation from the Ottoman Empire. The first paragraph was:
It also passed a number of other important documents, including:
- The Provisional Regime of Greece, sometimes translated as Temporary Constitution of Greece, which also included a Declaration of Independence.
The first legislature had 33 members.
Another characteristic of the First National Assembly is the absence of any reference in the Constitution to the Filiki Eteria, although Demetrios Ypsilantis, brother of Alexander Ypsilantis and official representative of the Filiki Eteria, was appointed president of the legislature, a body controlled by the local notables.
List of delegates
Books
Category:1822 in Greece
Category:1821 conferences
Category:1822 conferences
Category:December 1821
Category:January 1822
1st
Category:History of Argolis
Category:Peloponnese in the Greek War of Independence
Category:Epidaurus