Philike Hetairia (also Philiki Etairia; Friendly Society), a secret nationalistorganization of Greek patriots that from 1814 to 1821 wageda struggle for the liberation of Greece from the Ottomanyoke. The society, much of whose structure was borrowedfrom the Carbonari and Masons, was founded in Odessa bythe Greek patriots N. Skouphas, E. Xanthos, and A.Tsakalov. Its headquarters were moved to Istanbul in 1818.Philike Hetairia was active in Greece, as well as in parts ofTurkey and in the Greek emigrant community in WesternEurope. It included artisans, tradesmen, merchants,intellectuals, leaders of the Klephts and Armateles, andseveral prominent Phanariots. In 1820, A. Ypsilantis becamethe leader of the organization. Philike Hetairia paved the wayfor the Greek War of Independence of 1821–29. Shortly afterthe start of the wars, the organization disintegrated.
