Post by kartadolofonos on Jan 10, 2008 0:55:42 GMT -5
Markos Botsaris
(the death of Markos)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Ludovico_lipparini.jpg)
Markos Botsaris (c. 1788 - 21 August 1823) was an important leader early in the War of Greek Independence.
Born in the region of Souli in Greece, he was the second son of Kitsos Botsaris who was murdered in Arta in 1809 by order of Ali Pasha. In 1803, after the capture of Souli by Ali Pasha, Markos with the remnant of the Souliotes, crossed over to the Ionian Islands, where he ultimately took service in a French regiment.
In 1814 he joined the Greek patriotic society known as the Filiki Eteria, and in 1820, with other Souliots, made common cause with Ali Pasha against the Ottoman Empire. On the outbreak of the Greek revolt, he distinguished himself by his courage, tenacity and skill as a partisan leader in the fighting in western Hellas, and was conspicuous in the defence of Missolonghi during the first siege (1822-1823). On the night of the 21st August 1823 he led the celebrated attack at Karpenisi of 350 Souliots on 4000 Albanians who formed the vanguard of the army with which Mustai Pasha was advancing to reinforce the besiegers. The rout of the Turks was complete; but Botsaris himself fell. Juste Olivier wrote an award-winning poem for Markos Botzaris in 1825.
The headstone from the tomb of Markos Botsaris, fighter of the revolution, created by the French sculptor David d'Angers
Enlarge
The headstone from the tomb of Markos Botsaris, fighter of the revolution, created by the French sculptor David d'Angers
His memory is still celebrated in popular ballads in Greece. Markos's brother Kostas Botsaris (Constantine), who fought at Karpenisi and completed the victory, lived to become a general and senator in the Greek kingdom. He died at Athens on the 13 November 1853. Markos's son, Dimitrios Botsaris, born in 1813, was three times minister of war during the reigns of Otto of Greece and George I of Greece. He died at Athens on 17 August 1870
(the death of Markos)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Ludovico_lipparini.jpg)
Markos Botsaris (c. 1788 - 21 August 1823) was an important leader early in the War of Greek Independence.
Born in the region of Souli in Greece, he was the second son of Kitsos Botsaris who was murdered in Arta in 1809 by order of Ali Pasha. In 1803, after the capture of Souli by Ali Pasha, Markos with the remnant of the Souliotes, crossed over to the Ionian Islands, where he ultimately took service in a French regiment.
In 1814 he joined the Greek patriotic society known as the Filiki Eteria, and in 1820, with other Souliots, made common cause with Ali Pasha against the Ottoman Empire. On the outbreak of the Greek revolt, he distinguished himself by his courage, tenacity and skill as a partisan leader in the fighting in western Hellas, and was conspicuous in the defence of Missolonghi during the first siege (1822-1823). On the night of the 21st August 1823 he led the celebrated attack at Karpenisi of 350 Souliots on 4000 Albanians who formed the vanguard of the army with which Mustai Pasha was advancing to reinforce the besiegers. The rout of the Turks was complete; but Botsaris himself fell. Juste Olivier wrote an award-winning poem for Markos Botzaris in 1825.
The headstone from the tomb of Markos Botsaris, fighter of the revolution, created by the French sculptor David d'Angers
Enlarge
The headstone from the tomb of Markos Botsaris, fighter of the revolution, created by the French sculptor David d'Angers
His memory is still celebrated in popular ballads in Greece. Markos's brother Kostas Botsaris (Constantine), who fought at Karpenisi and completed the victory, lived to become a general and senator in the Greek kingdom. He died at Athens on the 13 November 1853. Markos's son, Dimitrios Botsaris, born in 1813, was three times minister of war during the reigns of Otto of Greece and George I of Greece. He died at Athens on 17 August 1870