Heroes of Greek independence 1821

 

March 25, 1821 - 2026

Some of the heroes of the Greek Revolution of 1821 who with their self-sacrifice and blood, granted freedom to Greece and inspired the European people!

THEODORO KOLOKOTRONIS

The general and leader of the Greek War of Independence has gone down in history for his great success in the defeat of the Ottoman army under Mahmud Dramali Pasha at the Battle of Dervenakia in 1822. Appointed commander-in-chief of the Greek forces in the Peloponnese in 1825, Kolokotronis is considered to be one of the most significant figures of the Greek War of Independence. Following the war, he became a supporter of Count Ioannis Kapodistrias and a proponent of alliance with Russia. After the assassination of Kapodistrias in 1831, Kolokotronis created his own administration in support of Prince Otto of Bavaria in king of Greece but later opposed the Bavarian-dominated regency. In 1834, he was charged with treason and was sentenced to death, however pardoned. He died in 1843 in Athens, a day after his son’s wedding.

LASKARINA BOUBOULINA

Born in a prison cell in Constantinople, she was the daughter of Stavrianos Pinotsis, a captain from Hydra. She married twice, but took on the surname of her second husband, Captain Dimitrios Bouboulis, a wealthy shipowner. She allegedly joined the Filiki Etairia, an undergound organisation which worked towards the Revolution. She gave all she had, buying arms and ammunitions at her own expense, which she said she did “for the sake of my nation”. Her daughter, Eleni Boubouli, later married the son of Kolokotronis, Panos Kolokotronis.

 GEORGE KARAISKAKIS

A famous brigand, military commander and hero of the revolution. Born in a monastery near the village of Mavrommati in the Agrafa Mountains, he joined the service of Katsantonis, a local brigand at a young age. He was cunning, brave and reckless, rising quickly through the ranks to become lieutenant. He was killed on 23 April, 1827, after he became fatally wounded by a rifle bullet in battle.

 ATHANASIOS DIAKOS

A great military commander, Diakos was born Athanasios Nikolaos Massavetas. The grandson of a local brigand, he was drawn to religion from an early age and was sent to the Monastery of St John the Baptist for his education. He became a monk at the age of 17 years and was ordained a deacon of the Greek Orthodox Church not long after.

 MANTO MAVROGENOUS

A wealthy woman, she spent all her fortune for the freedom of Greeks. She also managed to raise funds by getting her European friends to contribute money and guns to the Revolution. Born in Trieste, which was part of Austria, but is now located in Italy, she grew up in an educated family and studied Greek philosophy, while also speaking fluent French, Italian and Turkish. In 1809, she moved with her family to Paros and learnt that plans were underway for a Revolution. She later moved to Mykonos, her island of origin, and influenced many of the leaders of the region to join the Revolution.

 

CONSTANTINE KANARIS

Kanaris grew to prominence during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1829), and was known in particular for his role in destroying the flagship of Turkish admiral Nasuhzade Ali pasha in revenge for the Chios massacre on the night of 6 June, 1822. There were 2,000 Ottoman casualties, including the pasha himself. Kanaris later became Greek prime minister and was one of the few people to gain the trust of Ioannis Kapodistris, the first Head of State of independent Greece.

 MIAOULIS

Andreas Vokos, nicknamed Miaoulis, was an admiral and politician who commanded Greek naval forces during the Greek Revolution. He gained wealth through trade, and contributed to the cause of resistance against the Turks in every possible way, spending money from his wheat-shipping business during the Napoleonic Wars. He led Greeks to victory in skirmishes off Modon, Cape Matapan, Suda and Cape Papas from May 1825 to January 1826.

 ODYSSEAS ANDROUTSOS

Odysseas Androutsos was born in Ithaca in 1788 and was the only son of the famous Arvanite bandit Andrea Verousi, and his mother was from Preveza. As soon as the Revolution broke out, he was immediately on the front lines of the struggle and incited the Greeks of Eastern Roumeli to fight.  Androutsos was found trapped with 120 Greek men in what would become the famous Battle of Gravia Inn. Up against 8,000 Ottomans, Androutsos led the Greeks to victory and was proclaimed the military leader of Roumeli.

 MARKOS BOTSARIS

Markos Botsaris was born in 1790 and is known as a Greek General and hero of the Greek Revolution from Souli. Numerous are the heroic deeds of Markos Botsaris: In Kumtzades he destroyed a large army of Ottoman Turks, in Pente Pigadia he clashed with a force of 500 0 Turks along with his few Souliote brothers, he conquered the Reniasa fortress without any casualties, defeated 2000 Turks in Vargiades and in Dramesi, battled against Hasan Pasha in Arta and his army of 1000 Turks, participated in the siege of Arta and in many more battles including in Lelova, Olitsika and Bogortsa. On August 9, 1823, during a battle in Karpesnisi, Markos Botsaris received a fatal shot which cost him his life. His body was transported to Mesologgi where it was buried with the highest honors.