However, when the Venetians invaded the Peloponnese in 1685, the Ottomans released Gerakaris and made him ruler of Mani, and in return he promised to fight for the Turks.

Köprülü offered him freedom and promised to make him Bey of Mani in return for allowing Turkish garrisons to take some Maniot castles as well as paying tribute to the Ottomans.

[1][2] When Limberakis returned to Mani, he ruled like a tyrant with the backing of the Turkish garrisons in Kelefa and Porto Kagio, although the Turks were boxed into the castles by the surrounding Maniots.

[4] The Ottomans, pressed by the Habsburgs, were unable to hold the Peloponnese, so the new Grand Vizier Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha suggested that Gerakaris be released from the Bagnio.

The Venetians recognised him as lord of the Morea, pronounced him a knight of Saint Mark and continued to call him Bey of Mani.

Later that year, Limberakis led a brutal sacking of Arta in retaliation for the Artans burning his property in Karpenisi.

During the raid Catholic relics were destroyed, Venetians citizens were kidnapped and the unleavened bread was thrown on the floor.