The death of Markos Botsaris at the battle in Karpenisi: 8/9 August, 1823

As the 18th century drew to a close, armed bands took control in mainland Greece. Thieves, armatolos, local private armies, commissioners, jannissaries and Ottoman army units fought against or allied with each other as circumstance dictated, thus establishing a shifting and complicated balance of power. Temporary agreements and exchange of gifts were often followed by violent battles: and yet behind some of these conflicts lay tacit agreements. On the other hand, while Kolokotronis and Zaxarias feasted together in the mountainous regions of the Pelopponnese, their followers fought to the death.

Armatolos:
armed unit initially called upon to carry out repressive jurisdiction at provincial level. From the end of the 18th century their powers had increased locally and their duties broadened

Zaxarias:
well known thief of the central Peloponnese, active in the late years of the 18th century

Konstantinos Kanaris, commander of the fire ship, with his companions

In the early 19th century, even when armed resistance against the Ottomans had gained the support of Christian armed bands, differences and diversity of interests among the various groups encourged a climate of suspicion. Commitment to a common purpose was overshadowed by older enemies: family and other grouping that had been at loggerheads for decades, frequently worked together to prepare future rebellions. Once the Revolution began in earnest, the different origins of the armed bands, their different experiences of organization and strategy, not to mention their differing mentalities, played a crucial role in further developments. Internal conflicts and weakness of communication during the last stages of the revolution completed the picture of powerlessness: the Ottoman state was unable to control its conquered territories.