Ioannis Makriyannis (October 29, 1797 – April 27, 1864)

Ioannis Makriyannis (October 29, 1797 – April 27, 1864)

From Fokida in Sterea Ellada, he was a Merchant, Politician, Writer and Fighter during the Greek War of Independence, reaching the rank of General.

Born Ioannis Triantaphyllos, he was given the nickname “Makriyannis” because of his tall and slim build.

As a member of Filiki Etaireia, he participated in numerous battles during the Greek Revolution, starting from the Battle of the Cross in August 1821 in Tzoumerka in Epirus, to numerous battles in Sterea Ellada, Attica and the Peloponnese.

When the First Independent Government of Greece was formed in 1828 under Ioannis Kapodistrias, he made Makriyannis his Governor of sorts of the Peloponnese.

Following Kapodistrias’ assassination and the installation of the foreign imposed monarch of Bavaria Otto, as King in 1832, Makriyannis was initially enthusiastic, but soon discontent grew with the foreign imposed rule and Makriyannis was a leading figure in the Revolt of September 1843, demanding the granting of a constitution and an end to Bavarian rule and domination and their departure from Greece. Which occurred.

Makriyannis is also remembered and known for his Memoirs. Aside from being a source of historical and cultural information about the Greek Revolution and the period generally, his work has also been labelled a monument of Modern Greek literature.