Siege of Tripolitsa

From April to September 1821, Greek forces besieged Tripolitsa, modern Tripoli, the capital of the Ottoman administration in the Peloponnese and home to a large Muslim population as well as Jewish residents. The siege was led by Theodoros Kolokotronis, who understood that capturing the city would cripple Ottoman power in the region. After victories such as Valtetsi, the Greeks tightened their grip, and the city began to run short of food. Negotiations for surrender dragged on, and some wealthy defenders bargained separately, including Albanian troops who were allowed to leave. On 23 September 1821, Greek fighters stormed the walls. What followed was one of the darkest episodes of the war. Over several days, the victorious Greeks massacred much of the Muslim and Jewish population, including women and children, with thousands killed. Kolokotronis later wrote that his horse's hooves never touched the ground from the gate to the palace because of the bodies. The capture gave the Greeks a major strategic victory, large amounts of loot and weapons, and control of the central Peloponnese.