Ypsilantis

Noble Greek family that rose to power in Constantinople during the 18th and 19th centuries, and who became leaders of the cause of Greek nationalism. They were one of a small elite of 11 Greek families, known as ‘Phanariots’, who occupied prominent administrative positions within the Ottoman empire. Alexander Ypsilantis (1725–1805) was Ottoman hospodar (governor) of Wallachia, but was executed on suspicion of nationalist agitation. His son ConstantineYpsilantis (d.1816) took over the governorship, and led a revolt of Serbs, backed by Russian troops, against the Ottomans. When the Greek War of Independence broke out in 1821, Constantine's two sons Alexander Ypsilantis (c.1792–1828) and Demetrios Ypsilantis (1793–1832) took up arms against the Turks; Alexander was defeated at Dragashan in the Danubian Provinces in 1821 and fled to Austria, while his younger brother fought at Tripolita and Argos.