On This Day: Independence fighter Ioannis (Brave) Kolokotronis died

·

Ioannis Kolokotronis was a warrior during the Greek war of Independence and served as a Greek politician and Prime Minister of Greece, passing away on May 23, 1868.

Ioannis Kolokotronis was born in 1805 in Zakynthos and was the second son of Theodoros Kolokotronis and Katerina Karousou. His nickname “Brave”, with which he is known, was given to him by his competitors, due to the bravery he showed on the battlefields during the Revolution.

Despite his young age, Kolokotronis took part in the siege of Tripoli and the following year in the siege of Patras. He then went to Western Greece, led by 400 men, to take part in the campaign of Alexander the Great in Epirus, but returned to the Peloponnese before the catastrophic battle of Peta (July 4, 1822).

Photo: Alexander Armenis

The brave warrior took part in many battles throughout his life, being promoted from captain to lieutenant general in 1841.

Kolokotronis famously wrote two of the most valuable sources for the history of the Revolution and the first period of the newly formed Greek state: the “Greek Memoirs, ie letter writer and various documents concerning the Greek Revolution” (1856) and the “Memoirs” (1955).

From 1828 he was married to Fotini Tzavela (1809-1890), who served as lady in honour of Queen Amalia, with the couple having six children.

Gennaios Kolokotronis died of an incurable disease on May 23, 1868.

Sourced By: San Simera

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Sydney Olympic outclassed as Sydney United 58 hit top gear

Sydney United 58 responded in style to last week’s setback, securing their 11th win of the season with a commanding 3-0 victory.

ECCV urges stronger multicultural investment ahead of Victorian election

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria has welcomed targeted multicultural funding measures in the Victorian State Budget.

Hellenic Women’s Federation hosts vibrant Protomayia celebration in Melbourne

The Hellenic Women’s Federation of Victoria successfully hosted its annual Protomayia Festival on Sunday, May 3, at Axion Esti.

Greek genocide memorial events to be held in Northcote

The community is invited to gather in Northcote on May 17 for the 2026 Greek Genocide commemorations honouring the victims.

Junior doctors and medical students connect at HMSA networking night

The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia brought together junior doctors, dentists and medical students in Melbourne for a networking night.

You May Also Like

United Nations General Assembly adopts Greek resolution on return of cultural property

Greece was one of 111 member states to commit to the repatriation of cultural property at the UNGA’s 44th plenary meeting.

Mass blackout cripples Spain and Portugal disrupting daily life

A widespread blackout struck Spain and Portugal around midday Monday, halting trains, grounding flights, disabling ATMs.

Greek Prime Minister says Turkish provocations cannot be tolerated

Recent Turkish provocations “cannot be tolerated by Greece or the European Union,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday.