Smyrna during the orlov rebellion (1770): Internal conflicts and European intervention

The Russian naval expedition to the Mediterranean under the Orlovbrothers during the Russo-Turkish war of 1768-1774 caused tumult inthe Balkans and resulted in serious consequences for the Greek populationsof the Aegean basin. This paper investigates the problems confrontingSmyrna —one of the largest commercial ports of the Levant, with aconsiderable Greek and European population— following the Ottomannaval defeat at nearby Cheshme (5-7 July 1770).The study is based on heretofore unpublished documents of the VenetianConsulate of Smyrna, as well as a large number of published documentsand other sources. These sources yield new information on themassacre of over one thousand Greeks and the persecution of Christiansby the Ottomans; the catastrophic effects on the European Levant trade;the deputation of the European consults of Smyrna to Alexios Orlov requestinghim not to attack the city, as well as subsequent European contactswith Orlov; and the general situation in the city of Smyrna up to1774, when the Russian fleet sailed from the Aegean. Relevant documentsfrom the State Archives of Venice are appended to the study