14 Facts About Dionysios Romas

Dionysios Romas hailed from Zakynthos, one of the Ionian Islands off the western coast of mainland Greece.

Dionysios Romas's family was among the noble families of the island, and gained the rank of count from the Republic of Venice, which ruled the Islands until 1797.

Dionysios Romas studied in Italy and Paris, before returning to his homeland and taking over his father's post as Venetian consul.

Dionysios Romas gained the backing of the Kolokotronis family and of the Moreot Turkish notable Ali Farmaki, but the Russian ambassador, Giorgio Mocenigo, refused to support the idea.

Dionysios Romas gained access to senior members of the French government, including Napoleon himself, and was awarded the Legion of Honour.

Under the subsequent British rule, Dionysios Romas served as a member of the Ionian Senate in Corfu, before being dismissed in 1817 due to his liberal and nationalist views.

Dionysios Romas served as grand master of the masonic lodges in Corfu and his native Zakynthos.

Dionysios Romas offered 300 gold coins to the cause and became one of the society's leaders in the Ionian Islands.

Dionysios Romas fell under suspicion by the Islands' British governor, Thomas Maitland, but was able to successfully dispel the latter's doubts.

Politically, Dionysios Romas was hoping to get the British onside for the liberation of Greece from the Ottoman Empire.

Dionysios Romas was engaged in support of the war from Venice, advocating for the Greek cause to the Great Powers and Pope Pius VII.

Dionysios Romas became more active from 1824 on, when he returned to Zakynthos, and founded, along with fellow Etaireia members and freemasons Panagiotis Marinos Stefanou and Konstatinos Dragonas, the so-called 'Zakynthos Committee'.

Dionysios Romas was found guilty in the first instance, but cleared of all charges on appeal.

Dionysios Romas politely refused, stating that he never knew himself to have served Great Britain.