In the late 1700s Preveza was a safe haven for klepths and armatoloi who sought protection under Venetian rule. Some repaid their hosts by stealing flocks or fish stocks and abducting Ottoman and Venetian subjects. Others developed local economic and familial ties. Odysseas Androutsos (1790-1825) was the son of Andreas Verousis and Akrivi Tsarlamba. His mother was born in Preveza and their house was on 29 Xristos Kontos street. His father assisted Lambros Katsonis during the Russo–Turkish War (1787–1792) and was executed by the Turks when Odysseas was 7 years old. The family escaped to the island of Lefkada but returned to Preveza shortly thereafter. Odysseas stayed in Preveza until 1806.