Principality of Samos (Greece, 1832-1912)

Last modified: 2003-11-22 by ivan sache
Keywords: samos | cross (white) | cross (red) | error | triangle (white) | triangle (red) |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

• History of the Principality
• Description of the flag
  • Erroneous flag report
• Standard of the Prince

See also:

• Greece
• Greece: Historical outline
• Greece: Struggle for independence (1821-1829)
• Greece: Struggle for the independence on the islands (1821-1829)

History of the Principality

The Greeks rebells controlled Samos during the independence war, but it was returned to the Ottoman Empire in 1830, with special conditions. The Principality of Samos was created in December 1832, under Ottoman sovereigniy. The principate lived in peace until 1908, when the islanders revolted against Turkey. The prince Andrew Kopasis followed an anti-Greek policy, and he was murdered on 22 May 1912. His successor, Gregory Vegleris, was pro-Greek.
Turkey withdrew its army from the island when the war against Italy begun (May 1912) and the Greek islanders, led by Temistocles Sophulis, revolted again (September). Vegleris escaped and on the 24 November 1912 the island was incorporated to Greece.
In 1925 there was a conflict and there was some discussion about the proclamation of the independence for the island, but nothing happened.

Jaume Ollé, 26 September 1996

Description of the flag

The flag of the Principality of Samos was adopted in 1834. It is very similar to the flag of the Dominican Republic: white cross, with the upper quarters in red and the lower quarters in blue.
The flag was officially in use between 1834 and 24 November 1912.

Source: Hellenic flags. Insignia-Emblems. [kok97]

Jaume Ollé, 8 October 1996

Erroneous flag report

by Zeljko Heimer

The design red over blue with a small white cross near the hoist is often reported but erroneous.

Jaume Ollé , 8 October 1996

Standard of the Prince

Sources differ about this flag:

by Jaume Ollé

The personal standard of the Prince of Samos was blue with in the center a red triangle pointing upwards charged with a white Swiss cross.

Sources: Jordi Perez Ibanez; Fezvi Kurtoglu [kur92], Adolfo Duran Rodriguez.

Jaume Ollé, 8 October 1996

by Pascal Vagnat

The personal standard of the Prince was light blue with a red Swiss cross in a white triangle.

Source: Hellenic flags. Insignia-Emblems. [kok97]

Pascal Vagnat, 11 January 1999