Zealots, Thessalonica
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Zealots was an anti-aristocratic political group with social demands in 1342 that dominated political developments in Thessalonica until 1350. The contemporary sources, notably anti-Zealots in sympathies, provide little information on the Zealots' government of Thessalonica. Zealots managed to establish effective civic self-government for eight years .They confiscated the property of the aristocracy, and redistributed their wealth. However, is hard to decide whether the Zealots actually had a program of social reform. One possible explanation would be that as the city was in a constant state of siege, a sense of somewhat egalitarian society may have developed.
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[edit] Introduction
From the beginning of 14th century the Byzantine Empire went into dramatic decline. There were two major civil wars accompanied with invasions from almost all sides. As the Empire became weaker and more impoverished,[1] the misery of the great masses in the countryside and in the cities became almost unbearable. Both in the country and in the towns all the wealth was concentrated in the hands of a small aristocratic class, and against them was directed the bitterness of the destitute masses. The leader of all powerful aristocratic class was pretender to the throne John Cantacuzenus.
[edit] Ascending to power
The Zealots seized power in 1342 and after driving out the supporters of Cantacuzenus, they setup their own government in the city. The possessions of the aristocracy were confiscated. The Zealots, who were regarded in conservative ecclesiastical circles as disciples of Barlaam of Calabria and Acindynus, were also violently opposed to the hesychasts, who supported Cantacuzenus . The political Zealots were therefore enemies of the church Zealots.[2]
Cantacuzenus wrote: They roused up the people against the aristocracy, and for two or three days, Thessalonica was like a city under enemy occupation and suffered all the corresponding disasters. The victors went shouting and looting through the streets by day and by night, while the vanquished hid in churches and counted themselves lucky to be still alive. When order returned, the Zealots, suddenly raised from penury and dishonour to wealth and influence, took control of everything and won over the middle class of citizens, forcing them to acquiesce and characterizing every form of moderation and prudence as "Cantacuzenism".
Although the Zealots recognized the legitimate Emperor John V Palaeologus and the most important members of the party were also members of the house of Palaeologus, the city was effectively acting as independent republic.[3] The role of the imperial governor sent from Constantinople was largely symbolic.
[edit] Reaction and Terror
Early attempts of Cantacuzenus to capture the city with the aid of his ally, the Seljuk Emir Omur failed as the resistance was fierce. In 1345 there was a plot by the imperial governor to surrender the city to Cantacuzenus. He had the leader of the Zealots, Michael Palaeologus killed. But this caused even greater violence : Led by Andrew Palaeologus, the Zealots overpowered the reaction, as described in Demetrius Cydones, PG 109 :
..one after another the prisoners were hurled from the walls of the citadel and hacked to pieces by the mob of the Zealots assembled below. Then followed a hunt for all the members of the upper classes: they were driven through the streets like slaves, with ropes round their necks-here a servant dragged his master, there a slave his purchaser, while the peasant struck the strategus and the labourer beat the soldier (i.e. the pronoiar).
[edit] End
In 1349 Cantacuzenus and the emperor John V reconciled, but the Zealots ignored the orders from the capitol. Aware that their downfall was only question of time they started to negotiate surrender to Serbian Emperor Stefan Dušan, preferring foreign rule to that of Cantacuzenus. But by the end of 1349 their rule collapsed, Andrew Palaeologus fled to Serbia while Cantacuzenus, accompanied by John Palaeologus, made a triumphal entry into the city and Gregory Palamas, protagonist of the hesychasts, who had been appointed Archbishop of Thessalonica, but previously refused entry by the Zealots,[4] was now received.
