Zosimades

The Zosimades (Greek: Ζωσιμάδες) were a wealthy Greek family of merchants and benefactors from Ioannina, Epirus (modern-day Greece). Their most notable members were the six Zosimas brothers: Anastasios, Nikolaos, Michail, Zois, Ioannis, and Theodoros. They made their fortune primarily through trade in Russia, specifically Moscow, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Zosimades brothers are primarily remembered for their significant contributions to the Greek Enlightenment and the Greek War of Independence. They financed numerous educational institutions throughout Greece, including the famous Zosimaia School of Ioannina, which was named in their honor. Their support extended beyond education; they provided financial assistance to Greek communities and individuals, fostering cultural and intellectual development.

Their wealth allowed them to become influential figures within the Greek diaspora and among intellectuals advocating for Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. They actively supported the Filiki Eteria, the secret organization that planned and launched the Greek Revolution in 1821. Their financial backing was crucial to the organization's operations and the subsequent war effort.

The Zosimades' philanthropic activities extended beyond the Greek mainland. They supported Greek communities in various parts of the Ottoman Empire and in other countries, contributing to the preservation of Greek culture and identity. Their legacy as patrons of education and supporters of Greek independence continues to be celebrated in Greece.