Wishing to put an end to nearly four centuries of Ottoman rule, the Greek Nation took the arms, once more, against the Ottoman Empire in March 25th 1821. The cry “Freedom or Death” signified their determination to that cause.

Initially, the War started and spread in several regions of the Ottoman Empire but in a few months the large Ottoman Army managed to contain it in the Southern Balkans areas (Epirus, Rumeli, Peloponnese) as well as in the Aegean Islands and Crete.

The fall of Tripoli (the administrative centre of Peloponnese) in September 1821, forced the Sultan to draw, yet, more troops from the North to suppress the “giahours” (“infidels”- term used against all Christians) of the South. The task was assigned to Mahmut Pasha (also known as Dramali Pasha) who was ordered to drive from the city of Lamia, to recapture Tripoli, resupply the isolated Turkish garrisons and crush any remaining resistance.

By the spring of 1822 (the start of the campaigning season) Mahmut Pasha had managed to assemble a force of 32.000 troops (8.000 of them mounted) and a large supply column made up of thousands of pack animals, including 500 camels, property of the Sultan himself!

The prospects for a great victory looked good as not a single Greek General attempted to challenge the large (considering the scales) Ottoman Army, thus Mahmut Pasha arrived unopposed in Athens where he left a rearguard of 4000 troops and pressed on with the rest of his army towards his main objective, the city of Tripoli.

During those difficult times, the strategic qualities of the Greek General Theodore Kolokotronis proved invaluable. As the Ottomans approached the plains of Argos, Kolokotronis ordered his men to set fire on the fields thus denying the numerous Ottomans and their animals the supplies they needed. This tactic which was similar to the one that the Russian General Kutuzov had ordered against the Napoleon invading Russia in 1813, brought results.

Under the exhausting summer sun, the unsupplied Turks were forced to slow down and eventually stop their advance.

With most of his Army intact, Mahmut Pasha decided to return back to Lamia where he would regroup and make better preparations for yet another campaign, next spring. In order to secure his safe passage to the North, he attempted to mislead the Greeks for his intentions by sending false messages to Tripoli, announcing his imminent arrival. These messages were intercepted (as it was meant to be) by the Greeks who in turn took positions around the passages leading to the city awaiting the Ottomans. The only general that understood the stratagem was Kolokotronis who positioned all the available troops (2.500 men) around Nemea (not very far from the place where Hercules, according to the myth, had slain the lion!) covering all passages to the North.

After a while, the first Ottoman columns appeared. This is the point where our game starts.

Nemea 1822

Historical Background and Introduction
Available Forces and Deployment