Theodoros Kolokotronis (April 3, 1770 - February 4, 1843)
Born in Messinia, South-West of the Peloponnese. Theodoros Kolokotronis was Field Marshal and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Greek Forces, during the Greek War of Independence of 1821.
He came from a long line of Greek Patriots. His father as well as 2 of his uncles, fought the Turks during the Orlov Revolt of 1770-71, which was a precursor to the Revolution of 1821.
Kolokotronis operated as a Kleft throughout the Peloponnese, constantly fighting the Turks and disrupting Turkish operations in the region. When the Turks caught wind of his activities, they issued death warrants. As a result, Kolokotronis fled to Zakynthos, which was then under the control of the British and he joined the Greek Army Corps of the British Army to fight against Napoleon, reaching the rank of Major by 1810.
Fighting in the Napoleonic Wars, opened Kolokotronis’ eyes to the future possibilities for the Greek people and nation. Generally, nations and peoples thought that Kings and Emperors were Gods on Earth and obeyed everything they did and did all that was asked of them. This change of mindset allowed Kolokotronis and later the rest of the Greeks, to believe that they could rule themselves.
By 1818, Kolokotronis was initiated into Filiki Eteria and he returned to the Peloponnese to prepare the groundwork for the Greek Revolution.
Kolokotronis participated in, led and won numerous battles against the Turks. He liberated various regions as well as removing Turkish authority in many places. He led the Siege of Tripolitsa in 1821, which was a seminal moment and marked an early and decisive victory for the Greek Revolutionaries over the Turks.
After Independence, Kolokotronis would become a great supporter of another Patriot, Ioannis Kapodistrias, Greece’s 1st Modern Head of State.
After Kapodistrias’ assassination in 1831, Kolokotronis denounced the foreign appointment of the Bavarian Prince Otto as King of Greece. Because of this, Kolokotronis would later be charged with “treason” and sentenced to death. He would ultimately be pardoned, thanks in large part to the furious protestations of the Greek people.
In the twilight of his life, Kolokotronis learned to write & completed his memoirs, which have been translated into other languages. Kolokotronis's helmet, along with the rest of his weapons and armour are in the National Historical Museum of Greece in Athens.
Theodoros Kolokotronis was the Highest-Ranked and the most important Commander of the Greek War of Independence. He died on this day in 1843.
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