ARMATOLES, the name given to Greeks who discharged certain military and police functions under the Turkish govern ment. When the Turks conquered Greece in the 15th century, many of the Greeks fled into the mountainous districts of north ern Greece and maintained a guerrilla warfare. These men were called Kleplets (Gr. KMir•rrls, a brigand) : the Turkish pashas came to terms with some of them, and these men were confirmed in the possession of certain districts, undertaking in return some duties, such as the custody of the highroads. They were called armatoles, and the districts in which they lived armatoliks. They rendered good service, but their power and independence were disliked by the Turks. After the peace of Belgrade the Turkish government sought to weaken their position, and towards the end of the 18th century their numbers were seriously reduced. They afforded valuable assistance to their countrymen during the Greek war of independence in 1830.