In 1821, the Greeks, after nearly 400 years of slavery
under the Ottomans decided to take up the arms and fight for their freedom. The 25th March
1821 marks the beginning of the Greek revolution and the 22 March 1829 the day of the
creation of the modern Greek state. Below some of the key figures of that revolt are
presented.
Theodoros Kolokotronis (1770 - 1843). He came from a
family of kleftes and escaped to Zakynthos where he served in the English Army. He
returned to Peloponnesos on the eve of the revolution and due to his military experience
and knowledge he soon became the leading figure in organising the Greek fighters. He lead
the siege of Tripolis and its surrender marked the first success of the Greek revolution.
The following year (1822) with his courage, determination, patience and military acumen
defeated the army of Dramalis. He was imprisoned by his political opponents but was freed
when Ibrahim invaded Greece, against whom Kolokotronis applied guerrilla tactics and was
able to inflict major blows to his army. Kolokotronis is considered as the most important
figure of the Greek revolution.
Θεόδωρος Κολοκοτρώνης
THEODOROS KOLOKOTRONIS
(The Elder From Moria)
3 April 1770 - 5 February 1843
CLIP: IMMORTAL 1821
Click above for history clip (Click to Enlarge)
Georgios
Karaiskakis (1782 - 1827). He grew up in poverty and was forced to the
mountains as kleftis. He was one of the first to take part in the Greek revolution and his
military genius became apparent during the last years of the struggle. He was appointed by
the first Greek government as chief marshal of Eastern Greece and made Elefsina as his
headquarters. Following a clash with the Turks at Haidari, he was planning to cut off
Kioutachis supplies, during the siege of Acropolis. His initial failures followed two
famous victories at Arachova and Distomo. He was killed in a clash with the Turks at
Faliro. Karaiskakis is considered the second most important military figure of the
revolution, after Kolokotronis.
Constantinos Kanaris (1793 -
1877). He came from the island of Psara. He blew up the Turkish armada at Chios and at
Tenedos and other Turkish ships at Mytilene and Samos (1824). He attempted to burn the
Turkish ships at the port of Alexandria in order to destroy Mehmet Ali's preparations
against Greece and failed only due to the fact that at the time the wind was blowing from
opposite direction. He became one of the important naval figures of the
revolution. With the liberation of Greece he became involved with politics opposing king
Othon. He served several times as a minister and became prime minister. He was brave,
courageous and modest man.
Makriyannis. General Makriyannis was born at Lidoriki, in Eastern
Greece. When in June 1825, Ibrahim Pasha attacked the mills of Argos with a force of 4,000
foot-soldiers and 600 cavalrymen from his regular army, Mkriyannis, together with
Ypsilantis, Mavromichalis and 300 men, defended the position, which commands the
approaches to Naples of Romania. They had already repulsed four fierce attacks by Ibrahim
when, towards evening, they were reinforced by a detachment of the first regular Greek
regiment. Its arrival decided the outcome of the battle and the Turko-Egyptian forces
retreated in great disarray, with heavy casualties. The gallant Makriyannis, who was
gravely wounded in the fighting, was invited aboard the French Admiral de Rigny's frigate,
where he was received by the admiral.
At the battle of Faliron on the 5th February,
1827, Makriyannis commanded the corps of Athenians, under the orders of General Gordon. He
distinguished himself again and again in the defence of his position, by bravery in number
of minor engagements.
Manto
Mavrogenous. Amongst the heroines of
the Greek revolution was Manto Mavrogenous. She was educated at a college in Triestio and
spoke Italian and Turkish. She studied ancient Greek philosophy and history. In 1809 her
family returned to Mykonos, the island of their origin. She learned with excitement
from her father that Philiki Etairia was preparing the Greek revolution. When the news
arrived that the struggle for freedom began, Manto invited the leaders of Mykonos to a
meeting and persuaded them to join the revolution. This was declared in April 1821.
Laskarina
Boumboulina. Yet
another heroic woman of the Greek uprising for freedom. Boumboulina came from a rich
family from the island of Spetse. This 'Archontissa' (Lady) of Spetse used her
wealth to build a navy and became one of the most famous leading figures in
the Greek War of Independence. After the success of the revolution in Peloponnesos and
Sterea Ellada, the uprising spread in the islands. Spetse was the first of the islands to
join the revolution and this was mainly due to Boumboulina's leadership and courage. The
example of Spetse was followed by many other islands and therefore the freeing of the
Island of Spetse was one of the initial major steps towards victory for the Greeks.
Thereafter Boumboulina, with her fleet took part in many naval battles and dominated the
Aegean creating probelms to the, by far superior, Turkish fleet.
Andreas Miaoulis (1769 - 1835). He was born in the Hydra. At the age of 17 he became captain
of a commercial ship. During the Napeleonic wars he managed due to his courageous sea
operations to accumulate considerable wealth. From the second year of the revolution
he was appointed admiral of the Greek fleet. He defeated the Turkish navy near Patra and
the Turko-Egyptian navy near Geronda, and on many occasions he was able to provide
supplies for Greek cities besieged by the Turks (e.g. Mesologi).
Nikitaras. He was born at Leontari, in Arcadia, the son of a poor
peasant farmer. He was a nephew of Kolokotronis and he, too, served in the army of the
Ionian Islands. In 1821 he became head of a band of pallikars. He fought Kiaya Bey at Kaki
Scala and in March and April 1822, at Ayia Marina, Nikitas fought successfully under the
leadership of Odysseus against Dramali, who was threatening Thermopylae. After Dramali's
invasion of the Morea, Nikitas took up a position commanding the narrow passes on his
route back to Corinth. There the Greeks inflicted a terrible defeat on the enemy, killing
3,000 Turks. The result of this battle won for him the nickname of Tourkophagos. At
the siege of Mesolongi, Nikitas gave further proof of his pure and selfless patriotism.
The sailors bringing reinforcements to the besieged town demeaned payment in advance. But
there was no money. Then Nikitas flung down his sword, a priceless weapon which he had won
from a high-ranking Turk, and cried out, "All I have is this sword. I offer it to my
country!" His fine example had an immediate effect. All present stepped forward
eagerly to donate whatever they could afford.
Papaflesas (1788 - 1825). Papaflesas (Gregorios Dikaios) was born at Messinia in 1788. In his teens he became a monk. The
Turks, knowing his revolutionary character forced him to leave Greece. At Constantinople,
where he went, became one of the key members of "Filiki Etairia". Under
Ypsilantis orders he returned to Peloponnesos and started preaching the ideal
of freedom, preparing so the people for the revolution. He was a key figure of the
Greek Revolution. When in 1825 Ibrahim landed with thousands of Turkish army in
Peloponnesos, Papaflesas leading 2000 men marched against him. During the battle which
took place at a place called Maniaki, on 20 May 1825, Ibrahim with 6000 Turks attacked and
killed 600 Greeks and their leader Papaflesas, who fought bravely to the bitter end.
Kindly Regards
Georgios