Ioannis Makrygiannis
1797-1864
Nickname	Makrygiannis
Place of birth	Avoriti, Doris
Place of death	Athens
Allegiance	Greece
Years of service	1821-1864
Rank	General
Battles/wars	Greek War of Independence
Other work	Politics

General Ioannis Makrygiannis (Greek: Ιωάννης Μακρυγιάννης) (1797-1864) was a Greek merchant, military officer, politician and author. Starting from humble origins, he joined the Greek struggle for independence, achieving the rank of general and leading his men to some notable victories. Following Greek independence, he had a tumultuous public career, playing a prominent part in the granting of the first Greek constitution and later being sentenced to death and pardoned. Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital and largest city of Greece and the birthplace of democracy. ... The coronation banquet for George IV 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... A General is an officer of high military rank. ... Combatants Greek revolutionaries, United Kingdom, Russia, France Ottoman Empire, Egyptian troops Commanders Theodoros Kolokotronis, Alexander Ypsilanti Omer Vryonis, Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. ... Politics is the process by which groups make decisions. ... A General is an officer of high military rank. ... Combatants Greek revolutionaries, United Kingdom, Russia, France Ottoman Empire, Egyptian troops Commanders Theodoros Kolokotronis, Alexander Ypsilanti Omer Vryonis, Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. ... The Syntagma (Σύνταγμα), the Constitution of Greece is resolved by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes and entered into force in 1975. ...

Despite his important contributions to the political life of the early Greek state, general Makrygiannis is mostly remembered for his Memoirs. This work is an invaluable source of historical, linguistic and cultural knowledge about the period. More than that, however, its literary quality has led Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis to dub the general one of the greatest masters of Modern Greek prose. (see relevant section) Motto: (Transliteration: ) (Translation: Freedom or Death) Anthem: (Hymn to Freedom) Capital (largest city) Athens Greek Government Parliamentary Republic1  - President Karolos Papoulias  - Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis Independence from Ottoman Empire   - Last Independent Greek State 1461 Empire of Trebizond   - Declared 25 March 1821   - Recognized 1829  Accession to EU January 1, 1981 Area... The Nobel Prizes (pronounced no-BELL or no-bell) are awarded annually to people who have done outstanding research, invented groundbreaking techniques or equipment, or made outstanding contributions to society. ... Cover of Complete Poems of Seferis Giorgos Seferis (Γιώργος Σεφέρης) (February 19, 1900 – September 20, 1971) was one of the most important Greek poets of the 20th century, and a Nobel laureate. ... General Ioannis Makrygiannis (1797-1864) was a Greek officer. ...

Biography

Early life

Ioannis Triantafyllou, as was his proper name, better known as Ioannis Makrygiannis, was born into a poor family in the village of Avoriti, in the vicinity of Doris. Makrygiannis (Long John) was a cognomen he acquired due to his tall stature.^[1] His father, Dimitris Triantafyllou, was killed in a clash with the forces of Ali Pasha. His family was forced to flee to Levadeia, where Makrygiannis spent his childhood up to 1811. At age seven, he was given as a foster son to a wealthy man from Levadeia, but the menial labour and beatings he endured were, in his own words, "his death".^[2] Thus, in 1811 he left for Arta to stay with an acquaintance who maintained close relations with Ali Pasha. There, still a teenager, he was involved in trade and, according to his memoirs, became a wealthy man. His property amounted to 40.000 piastres.^[3] According to Sphyroeras, he probably joined the Filiki Etaireia in 1820.^[2] In March 1821 he left for Patras, supposedly on business, but in fact with the assignment of informing local members of the Filiki Etaireia of the state of Roumeli. Having met with Odysseas Androutsos, he returned to Arta two days before the revolution broke out in Patras and was promptly arrested by the Turks and placed under arrest in the local fortress. He was held captive for 90 days but managed to escape and, in August 1821, first took up arms against the Turks under chieftain Gogos Bakolas.^[3] Engraving of Ali Pasha Ali Pashë Tepelena, commonly known as Ali Pasha, (1741 – January 24, 1822) was the military ruler (pasha) of a large area of the Ottoman Empires European territories. ... Livadeia (Greek: Λιβαδειά - Livadeiá or Λεβάδεια - Levádeia) is a city in central Greece. ... Arta (Greek: Άρτα) is a city in north-western Greece, capital of the Arta Prefecture. ... The new kuruş coin Kuruş was a Turkish currency subunit. ... The Filiki Eteria (spelt also Philikí Etaireía), meaning Friendly Society in Greek, was a secret organisation working in the early 19th century, whose purpose was to overthrow the Ottoman rule over Greece and to establish an independent Greek state. ... The coronation banquet for George IV 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Patras (Modern Greek Πάτρα, Ancient Greek Πάτραι Pátrai, Latin Patrae) is the third largest city of Greece, capital of the Achaea prefecture of Greece and of the periphery of West Greece and the first urban centre of the peninsula of Peloponnese. ... Map of Rumelia as of 1801 Rumelia (turkish: Rum: Roman El: Land Rumeli: Lands of Rome), the area that was the East Roman or Byzantine Empire, a name commonly used, from the 15th century onwards, to denote the part of the Balkan Peninsula subject to the Ottoman Empire. ... Odysseas Androutsos (also Odysseus Androutsos, Greek: Οδυσσέας Ανδρούτσος) was a hero of the Greek War of Independence. ...

Activity during the War of Independence

Under the command of Gogos Bakolas, in September 1821 he took part in the battle of Stavros, near Tzoumerka, and in the battle of Peta, where he sustained a light leg injury. A few days later he took part in the siege of Arta that temporarily brought the city under Greek control. In late 1821 he left for Mesolonghi, but there, according to his memoirs, he fell seriously ill until March 1822.^[2] Having spent his recovery in the village of Sernikaki, near Salona, he resumed military action, assuming the leadership of a band of warriors from four villages in the vicinity. He fought alongside several other chieftains during the successful siege of Ypati, which had been fortified with considerable Turkish forces. Tzoumerka (Τζουμέρκα) is a municipality in the Ioannina Prefecture, Greece. ... Peta (Πέτα) is a municipality in the prefecture of Arta, Greece. ... Amphissa redirects here, for the ancient town near todays Roccella Ionica, see Amphissa, Italy Amfissa (Greek: Άμφισσα), other form: Amfissa, Latin: Amphissa is a town and the capital of the Phokida prefecture and the Parnassida province with the population around 10,000. ...

After the Acropolis of Athens was surrendered by the Turks in June 1822, Makrygiannis was appointed Supervisor of Public Order in the city by the executive authority of Roumeli on January 1, 1823. In that function, he took severe measures for the prosecution of arbitrary oppression of the populace and thievery. In the summer of 1823 he fought alongside Nikitaras in the eastern part of Central Greece. In October 1823 he led a force of Roumeliots in the Peloponnese, and fought alongside the government of Georgios Kountouriotis against the rebels in the civil war. For his actions during that conflict he was rewarded with the rank of brigadier, promoted to lieutenant general in August 1824 and full general in late 1824.^[2] Acropolis in Athens. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital and largest city of Greece and the birthplace of democracy. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Nikitaras, or Νικηταρας was a Greek revolutionary who fought for Greeces freedom during the Greek War of Independence. ... Central Greece (Greek: Στερεά Ελλάδα - Stereá Elláda) is one of the thirteen peripheries of Greece. ... The Peloponnese or Peloponnesus (Greek: Πελοπόννησος Peloponnesos; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a large peninsula in southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth. ... A portrait of Georgios Kountouriotis Georgios Kountouriotis (Greek: Γεωργιος Κουντουριώτης) (1782-1858) was a Greek politician of Arvanite descent and Prime Minister. ... Brigadier is a rank which is used in different ways by different countries. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ...

In March 1825, after the Peloponnese had been invaded by Egyptian forces, he was appointed politarch (head of public order) of Kyparissia and took part in the defence of Neokastro. After the fortress fell on May 11, 1825 he hurried to Myloi, near Nafplio, arriving with one hundred men on June 10. He ordered the construction of some make-shift fortifications, as well as the gathering of provisions. More chieftains soon arrived in Myloi and Ibrahim Pasha, the commander of the Egyptian forces, was unable to take the position, despite numerical superiority and the launching of fierce attacks on June 13 and 14. Makrygiannis was injured during the battle and was carried to Nafplio.^[2] The reign of Muhammad Ali and his successors over Egypt was a period of rapid reform and modernization that led to Egypt becoming one of the most developed states outside of Europe. ... Kyparissia, rarely Cyparissia (Greek: Κύπαρισσία) is a town of around 4,000 in western Messenia. ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (132nd in leap years). ... 1825 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Náfplio (Ναύπλιον) is a town on the Peloponnese in Greece. ...

Soon after he married the daughter of a prominent Athenian, and his activities were thereafter inextricably linked with that city until his death. After Athens was captured by Ibrahim Pasha in June 1826, Makrygiannis helped organise the defence of the Acropolis, and became the provisional commander of the garrison after the death of the commander, Yannis Gouras. He managed to repel a fierce assault against the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on October 7, and during the entire defence of the Acropolis he sustained heavy injures three times, to the head and to the neck. These wounds troubled him for the remainder of his life, but they did not dissuade him from taking part in the last phase of the war: in the spring of 1827 he took part in the battles of Peiraeus and the battle of Analatos.^[2] The Herod Atticus Odeon on the south slope of the Acropolis The Herodes Atticus Odeon was built in 161 by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla, on the south slope of the Acropolis hill. ... View of Piraeus A night ferry about to leave the port of Piraeus for the Dodecanese Piraeus, or Peiraeus (Modern Greek: Πειραιάς Peiraiás or Pireás, Ancient Greek / Katharevousa: Πειραιεύς Pireéfs) is a city in the periphery of Attica, Greece, located south of Athens. ...

Activity after Greek Independence

Governorship of Kapodistrias

Makrygiannis's activity did not cease with the achievement of Greek independence. After Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias arrived in Greece, he appointed Makrygiannis "General Leader of the Executive Authority of the Peloponnese", based in Argos, in 1828. It was during this period, and more specifically on February 26, 1829, that he started writing his Memoirs. After Kapodistrias restructured the military in 1830, Makrygiannis was given the rank of brigadier. However, his opposition to the Governor's policies gradually started to present itself and finally evolved into a rupture. More specifically, he opposed what he considered to be totalitarianism on behalf of Kapodistrias and, on a more personal level, was concerned about whether his home region would be included or not in the liberated Greek state.^[3] Influenced by Ioannis Kolettis, he even tried to force the Governor into accepting a constitutional form of government, using the troops under his command, but had no success.^[1] Finally, in August 1831, the government forced all civil servants and military personnel to sign an oath stating they were not part of "secret companies" and that they fully obliged to the government's commands. Makrygiannis considered this to be degrading,^[4] and tried to author his own version of an oath instead.^[2] This, however, was not accepted by the government, and he was consequently stripped of his positions.^[4] His opposition to the existing regime did not cease with the Governor's assassination on October 9, 1831. He took the side of the "Constitutionalists" and fought against the governor's brother and successor Augustinos Kapodistrias. It should be noted, however, that he condemned the assassination itself in the strongest terms.^[3] statue of John Capodistria in Panepistimiou Street, Athens John Capodistria, (in Greek Ioannis Kapodistrias or Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας, and in Italian Giovanni Capo dIstria, Count Capo dIstria) (February 11, 1776 - October 9... Argos (Greek: Άργος, Árgos, IPA argos) is a city in Greece in the Peloponnese near Nafplio, which was its historic harbor, named for Nauplius. ... February 26 is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... General Ioannis Makrygiannis (1797-1864) was a Greek officer. ... John Capodistria John Capodistria (in Greek Ioannis Kapodistrias or Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας, and in Italian Giovanni Capo dIstria, Count Capo dIstria) (February 11, 1776 – October 9, 1831) was a Greek-born diplomat of the Russian Empire and later first head of state of independent Greece. ... Ioannis Kolettis (1773-1847) - Athens, National Historical Museum Ioannis Kolettis (1773-1847) was a Greek politician who played a significant role in Greek affairs from the Greek War of Independence. ... October 9 is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Augustinos Kapodistrias (in Greek Αυγουστίνος Καποδίστριας , 1778- 1857). ...

Reign of King Othon I

After Otto, Prince of Bavaria, was agreed upon to become the first King of Greece in 1832, under the name of Othon I, his arrival in Nafplio, then the Greek capital, was hailed enthusiastically by Makrygiannis. This attitude is exemplified in his Memoirs: The Free State of Bavaria  (German: Freistaat Bayern), with an area of 70,553 km² (27,241 square miles) and 12. ... This is a list of the Kings of Greece, formally known by the title of King of the Hellenes House of Wittelsbach Otto (1832-1862) House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg George I (1863 - 1913) Constantine I (1913 - 1917) first time Alexander (1917 - 1920) Constantine I (1920 - 1922) second... 1832 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Otto of Greece entering Náfplio, Peter von Hess, 1835. ...

	Today the fatherland is reborn, that for so long was lost and extinguished. Today are raised from the dead the fighters, political, religious, as well as military, for our King has come, that we begot with the power of God. Praised be your most virtuous name, omnipotent and most merciful Lord.
	— Strategus Makrygiannis, Memoirs.[2]

The hopes he had based on the new regime, however, where soon to be dispelled. King Otho was underage and Bavarian regents were appointed to him during the first months of his rule. During the period of the regency, Makrygiannis came into conflict with the Defence Minister, the Bavarian Heidek, due to the latter's attitude towards the veterans of the War of Independence. In the newly restructured Greek Army, there was little place left for the irregular bands of klephts and other guerilla-styled fighters of the war. Their exclusion from the newly formed army was considered irreverent by Makrygiannis.^[4] Furthermore, he held the Prime Minister, the Bavarian von Armansperg, to be personally responsible for the serious problems faced by the newly formed state.^[2] As a consequence, Makrygiannis briefly retired from active politics. Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ... The Hellenic Army, (Greek: Ελληνικός Στράτος) is the land force of Greece (The Hellenic Republic). ... Irregular soldiers in Beauharnois, Quebec, 19th century Irregular military refers to any non-standard military. ... Klephts (Greek κλέφτης, pl. ... Josef Ludwig, Graf von Armansperg (1787-1853) served as the Interior and Finance Minister (1826-1828) and Foreign and Finance Minister (1828-1831) under King Ludwig I of Bavaria in the government of Bavaria. ...

After municipalities were first instituted by royal decree on December 27, 1833, Makrygiannis was steadily elected to the municipal council of Athens (the city becoming the new capital in 1834). In that capacity he harshly criticised, to the extent that it was possible, what he perceived as omisions and totalitarianism on behalf of the administration. He often voiced his demand for constitutional rule, even though the royal administration had initially held him in high esteem and given him the rank of colonel.^[1] During the King's absence from Greece on the occasion of his marriage with Queen Amalia (late 1836 - early 1837), public discontent with von Armansperg was at its peak. The newspapers Athena and Elpis were severely criticising him, and some politicians called for his removal. Makrygiannis, in his capacity as president of the municipal council of Athens, proposed in January 1837 the voting of a resolution to be handed to the King upon his return requesting the granting of a Constitution. Not long before that, at a banquet attended by former fighters of the War of Independence, such as Kountouriotis, Kolokotronis and others, Makrygiannis had toasted to the health of the royal couple, adding "may God enlighten them to rule us through constitutional laws, in accordance with the fatherland's sacrifices". Von Armansperg immediately dissolved the municipal council, fired mayor Petrakis and had Makrygiannis placed under house arrest.^[2] Sometime during this period, Makrygiannis commissioned 25 engravings from the painter, and veteran of the War of Independence, Panaghiotis Zographos. The profits from the sales were used to the benefit of veterans of the war.^[3] December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (362nd in leap years). ... 1833 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Duchess Marie Frederike Amelie of Oldenburg, Queen of Greece (born December 21, 1818 in Oldenburg, died May 20, 1875 in Bamberg) was the Consort of King Otto (1815-1867). ... A portrait of Georgios Kountouriotis Georgios Kountouriotis (Greek: Γεωργιος Κουντουριώτης) (1782-1858) was a Greek politician of Arvanite descent and Prime Minister. ... Theodoros Kolokotronis - The Old Man of the Morea Theodoros Kolokotronis (Grk. ...

The September 3, 1843 movement

In the meanwhile, the demand for constitutional liberties was becoming general, as was discontent with King Otho and the Bavarian administration. The situation escalated in the September 3, 1843 movement that led to the granting of the first Constitution. Makrygiannis was one of the three leaders of the movement. He played a crucial part in preparations for the action, having started them as early as 1840.^[1] After its successful conclusion, he also played an important part in the forming of the new cabinet.^[2] He was elected as a representative of Athens to the National (Constitutional) Assembly,^[4] and headed an informal group of 63 representatives loyal to him. He personally proposed various recommendations during the course of the discussions.^[2] Soon after the conclusion of the Assembly's work, however, he retired from politics.^[4] For his leading role in the creation of the first Greek Constitution, general Makrygiannis appeared on the special edition of the 50 drachma coins issued for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first Constitution, in 1994. There are three versions of the coin, each featuring one of the three leaders of the September 3 movement: one features Makrygiannis, one colonel Dimitrios Kallergis, and one minister (and later prime minister) Andreas Metaxas. Drachma, pl. ... Dimitri Kalergis (Demitrios) (1803-1867), Greek statesman, was a Cretan by birth, studied medicine at Paris and on the outbreak of the War of Greek Independence went to the Morea and joined the insurgents. ... Andreas Metaxas (1786 - September 19, 1860) was a Greek politician born on the island of Cephalonia. ...

Makrygiannis stopped working on his memoirs in 1850. Therefore, information about the last part of his life, including his trial, comes from other sources. He was always outspoken about his views, and as a result he stirred negative reactions among his opponents. He opposed what he perceived as a continued degradation of the veterans of the War of Independence, and had repeatedly been considered suspect of plotting against King Otho. Furthermore, the King never quite forgave him for his part in the September 3 movement. When summoned to the palace and asked to denounce all the conspirators of 1843, Makrygiannis refused, saying "I am not a slave".^[3] Eventually, in 1852, he was accused of planning to "overthrow the establishments and assassinate the King".^[2] On April 13, 1852 he was placed under house arrest, heavily guarded and with an officer posted in the room next to his own. On March 16, 1853 he was sentenced to death, in what has been called a "pre-fabricated trial".^[2] According to Vidal-Naquet, the prosecution brought up false testimonies and false evidence. Furthermore, the president of the tribunal, Kitsos Tzavelas, was a personal enemy of Makrygiannis. Five out of the six judges voted for the death sentence, and appealed for royal clemency.^[3] His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the King, but he only spent 18 months in prison. King Otho reduced the sentence first to twenty, and later to ten years. He was finally pardoned and released on September 2, 1854, thanks to the Crimean War. The blockade of Peiraeus by the French and British fleets also led to the imposition of Kallergis as Minister of War, despite his previous attempts at overthrowing the King. Thus, Kallergis used his newly acquired influence to have Makrygiannis released.^[3] Makrygiannis suffered greatly in prison, and after his release suffered from hallucinations. His condition did not improve with the death of one of his younger sons in the cholera epidemic that struck Athens.^[3] April 13 is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Pierre Vidal-Naquet (1930, Paris) is a French historian, teacher at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS). ... Kitsos Tzavelas during the War of Independence Kitsos Tzavelas (Greek: Κιτσος Τζαβέλας) (1800-1855) was a Greek fighter and Prime Minister. ... September 2 is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants United Kingdom France Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Casualties 17,500 British 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 2,050 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease 256,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War lasted from 1854 until 1 April 1856 and was... A blockade is any effort to prevent supplies, troops, information or aid from reaching an opposing force. ...

Portrait by Spyridon Prosalentis

When the revolution of October 10, 1862, which led to the eviction of King Otho I from the country, broke out, his son, the general Othon Makrygiannis, reportedly presented him with the King's golden crown. He was restored to the ranks he had been stripped of as a result of his trial, and was re-elected as a representative of Athens to the new National (Constitutional) Assembly of 1864. He was promoted to the rank of general on April 20, 1864, and died on April 27.^[3] Otto of Greece entering Náfplio, Peter von Hess, 1835. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. ...

Literary work

Assessment and significance of his literary work

As mentioned, Makrygiannis concluded work on his Memoirs in the last years before his imprisonment. More specifically, the last entries seem to be from September or October 1850, as evinced by his references to the events of that period.^[2] In the text of the Memoirs, one can see not only the personal adventures and disappointments of his long public career, but, more significantly, his views on people, situations and events, phrased clearly and quite often passionately. They were first published in 1907 by Yannis Vlahogiannis, while some fragments of them had earlier been published in the newspaper Acropolis in 1904. Spyridon Lambros, in 1908, noted his straightforwardness and slight egotism, along with his holding firm to his own opinion. Kostis Palamas, in 1911, called his work "incomparable in its kind, a masterpiece of his illiterate, but strong and autonomous mind". It should be noted that Makrygiannis had received only the most basic and fragmentary education, and, according to his own testimony, mastered writing shortly before he started writing his Memoirs, while he was stationed in Argos.^[2] This article needs to be wikified. ...

Makrygiannis, having been ignored by history, and hardly mentioned by chroniclers of the War of Independence, had renewed interest in the revolution by offering a significant personal testimony to historical research. Despite this, after the initial interest in the newly published Memoirs, they were hardly used as a source of reference for almost 40 years. One could say that Makrygiannis was forgotten, not only as a fighter, but also as the author of a text written in adulterated Demotic Greek;^[2] a text that, besides reproducing the heroic atmosphere of the War of Independence, is also a treasure-house of linguistic knowledge concerning the common Greek tongue of the time. Dhimotiki (Greek Δημοτική, IPA //) or Demotic Greek is the standard language of Greece. ... Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. ...

Makrygiannis was resurrected, so to speak, during the German occupation of Greece. An article was published on him by Yorgos Theotokas in 1941, and in 1943, the Greek Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis gave a lecture on him, saying: German soldiers raising the Reich War Flag over the Acropolis. ... Cover of Complete Poems of Seferis Giorgos Seferis (Γιώργος Σεφέρης) (February 19, 1900 – September 20, 1971) was one of the most important Greek poets of the 20th century, and a Nobel laureate. ...

	In our times, ... when people seek to find in other people something clean and stable and compassionate, it is right to speak of people such as Makrygiannis.
	— Giorgos Seferis, Dokimes (Essays)[5]

According to the National Book Centre of Greece, Seferis also stated that Makrygiannis, along with Alexandros Papadiamantis, is one of the two greatest masters of modern Greek prose.^[1] Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ... Alexandros Papadiamantis (March 3, 1851 - 3 January 1911) was a greek writer. ... Modern Greek literature refers to literature written in the Greek language from the 11th century, with texts written in a language that is more familiar to the ears of Greeks today than is the language of the early Byzantine literati, the compilers of the New Testament, or, of course, the...

Since then hundreds of essays have been written on the subject of his Memoirs, and it would be fair to say that the chronicler has overshadowed the fighter, and with good reason, according to Sphyroeras.^[2] Spyros Asdrachas has noted that:

	The fact that an illiterate man managed to use the Demotic speech ... to achieve an expressive density and dynamism entirely unusual of Greek prose made a terrific impression on people.
	— Spyros Asdrachas, preface to Memoirs of General Makrygiannis[6]

The general's objectivity, however, has often been questioned. Vlahogiannis, in his preface to the Memoirs, praises his honesty and contrasts it to his lack of objectivity and impartiality.^[7] While always straightforward, Makrygiannis clearly holds a grudge against people he had come into conflict with. He often uses heavy characterisations against people like Kolokotronis, while staying silent about the more questionable deeds of people he had a favourable opinion of. According to Sphyroeras, however, his judgements do not stem from selfishness, but rather from his severity against those he considered were defaming the cause of Greece.^[2] Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ...

A few months after completing his Memoirs, on New Year's Eve in 1851, Makrygiannis started to pen another "history", as he called it, which he interrupted rather abruptly in late March 1852, when he was under house arrest. This text was acquired in 1936 or 1937 by Vlahogiannis, and was finally published in 1983 by Aggelos Papakostas, aptly titled Visions and Wonders. It has, according to Papakostas, far less historical significance compared to the Memoirs.^[8] The events described therein are given briefly, and are used only as an excuse for his meditations and the interpretation of his Visions, on which he particularly insists. Vlahogiannis, according to Sphyroeras, considered the manuscript to be a religiously overzealous work of a deranged mind, and that is the reason he did not publish it.^[2] The work, however, is also the product of a physically and mentally tormented soul, who, being isolated at the age of 54, instead converses with God, the Panagia and the saints. It also shows the deep religiousness of Makrygiannis, who turns away from guns, instead seeking the nation's salvation through divine intervention. Furthermore, as Sphyroeras points out, the work is unique in Modern Greek literature in its subject matter, and is, as the Memoirs, a significant source of linguistic and cultural information.^[2] This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

Works

Απομνημονευματα (Memoirs) first published: Athens: 1907

Οραματα και Θαματα (Visions and Wonders) first published: Athens: 1983

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} National Book Centre of Greece's biography of Makrygiannis (affiliated with Ministry of Culture). (in Greek)
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u} Strategus Makrygiannis, Απομνημονευματα (Memoirs), Athens: Papyros, 1996 (work first published 1907) (preface by V. Sphyroeras). (in Greek)
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Général Macriyannis, Mémoires, (preface by Pierre Vidal-Naquet), Albin Michel. (in French)
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} Encyclopaedic Dictionary The Helios. (in Greek)
5. ^ Georgios Seferis, Dokimes (Essays) 3 vols. (vols 1-2, 3rd ed. (ed. G.P. Savidis) 1974, vol 3 (ed. Dimitri Daskalopoulos) 1992)(work first published 1944) (in Greek)
6. ^ Strategus Makrygiannis, Απομνημονευματα (Memoirs), Athens: 1957 (work first published 1907) (preface by Spyros Asdrachas). (in Greek)
7. ^ Strategus Makrygiannis, Απομνημονευματα (Memoirs), Athens: 1907 (preface by Yannis Vlahogiannis). (in Greek)
8. ^ Strategus Makrygiannis, Οραματα και Θαματα (Visions and Wonders) (ed. Aggelos Papakostas), Athens: 1983. (in Greek)

Éditions Albin Michel is a French publisher. ...

External links

• Significant parts of the "Memoirs" (in Greek) and a painting of the general.
• The text of the "Memoirs" on the Greek Wikisource.
• An image of the 50 drachma coin featuring General Makrygiannis.