Panourias in early age took part in the Orlov revolt, against the Ottomans, under Lambros Katsonis. In 1790 he entered the "armatoluk" of Androutsos Verousis (father of Odysseas Androutsos) and for a short time became commander of the Salona "armatoluk" with the support of Ali Pasha, but quickly abandoned his position and turned himself into a klepht. In 1816, however he rejoined Ali Pasha and was once more appointed as an "armatolos" in the Salona district. It was there where he became a member of the Filiki Eteria.