TheFirst National Assembly of Epidaurus (Greek:Αʹ Εθνοσυνέλευση της Επιδαύρου, 1821–1822) was the first meeting of theGreek National Assembly, a national representative political gathering of the Greek revolutionaries.[1]
The assembly opened in December 1821 at Piada (todayNea (New) Epidaurus). It was attended by representatives from regions involved in therevolution againstOttoman rule.[1]
The majority of the representatives were local notables and clergymen from thePeloponnese,Central Greece and the islands. In addition, a number ofPhanariotes and academics attended. However, a number of prominent revolutionaries, includingAlexander Ypsilantis and the most prominent military leaders were absent. Of the 59 representatives at the assembly, 20 were landowners, 13 were ship-owners, 12 were intellectuals, 4 were military leaders, 3 were archpriests, 3 were merchants.
The first document adopted by the assembly proclaimed the independence of the Greek nation from the Ottoman Empire. The first paragraph was:
It also passed a number of other important documents, including:
The Assembly elected afive-member executive on 15 January 1822, which was presided over byAlexandros Mavrocordatos. The executive in turn appointed the first government which had 8 ministries.
The first legislature had 33 members.
Another characteristic of the First National Assembly is the absence of any reference in the Constitution to theFiliki Eteria, althoughDimitrios Ypsilantis, brother ofAlexandros Ypsilantis and official representative of theFiliki Eteria, was appointed president of the legislature, a body controlled by the local notables.
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