Spyros Spyromilios

Spyros Spyromilios (Σπύρος Σπυρομήλιος, 1864–1930) was a Greek Gendarmerie officer who took part in the Greek struggle for Macedonia and the Balkan Wars. He was born in Himara, Ottoman Empire, modern southern Albania, or known as Northern Epirus among Greeks. In 1914 proclaimed the Autonomy of his home town and joined the autonomist struggle of Northern Epirus against annexation to the newly established Albanian principality.

Life
In May 1905 he led one of the first armed groups to be assembled for the developing Macedonian Struggle. Adopting the nom de guerre "Athalis Bouas" or "Kapetan Bouas", he led his own group of 35 men in the region of Vermio in Ottoman-held Macedonia. He was however wounded in his leg within days, in an exchange of fire with pro-Bulgarian komitadjis, and was forced to go to Thessaloniki to be treated. By 1909 he had risen to the rank of Captain, and took part in the Goudi military coup d'état.

At the outbreak of the First Balkan War in October 1912, he was positioned at the Ionian island of Corfu. There, he assembled a small corps of volunteers from his home region, augmented by 200 Cretan volunteers. On 5 November, Himara rose in revolt and his force landed and occupied this coastal region, without facing initially resistance. Spyromylios then suggested to the Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos that the Greek Army should immediately capture the city of Vlorë, north of Himara. However, on November 28, the Albanians declared their independence in Vlorë and formed a provisional government. The Greek headquarters expected full scale attack in the area and ordered him to retreat. He rejected the order and remained in the region organizing the local defense.

When the Second Balkan War ended, a series of peace treaties and protocols awarded the area to the newly formed Albanian state and the Greek forces were ordered to evacuate the area. At 9 February 1914 Spyromilios refused to withdraw and declared the region’s autonomy and himself as captain of Himara. Himara became part of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, proclaimed at February 28 in Gjirokastër.

Spyromilios became member of the Greek Parliament for the Argyrokastron Prefecture at the following elections. At September 1916, when the Italian army entered the region he escaped to Athens. In the next years he was involved in the Northern Epirus issue. At 1926 he was honorary discharged with the rank of Colonel.

Legacy
It is noteworthy that Spyromilios kept correspondence with Albanian personalities, discussing the region’s political future. A distinguished Albanian, Eqerem Bej of Vlorë, noted that Spyromilios and his family were known for their loyalty towards their friends, bravery and persistence.

Spyromilios’ family mansion in Himara, is one of the town’s main attractions, although abandoned today.