Kostas Botsaris
Encyclopedia
Kostas Botsaris , also known as Constantine Botzaris, was a Greek general and senator and a Souliot
captain and a hero of the War of Greek Independence
. He fought at the Battle of Karpenisi and completed the victory of his brother, the renowned Markos Botsaris
.
into one of the leading clans of the Souliotes
, in Epirus
. The Botsaris clan came from the village of Dragani (today Ambelia), near Paramythia
.
crossed over to the Ionian Islands
, where they ultimately took service in a French
regiment. In 1814, he joined the Greek patriotic society known as the Filiki Eteria
. On the night of 21 August 1823 Kostas, under the leadership of his brother Markos participated in the celebrated attack on Karpenisi
by 350 Souliots, against around 1000 Ottoman troops who formed the vanguard of the army with which Mustai Pasha was advancing to reinforce the besiegers. The Souliotes were victorious, however his brother was fatally wounded in the attack.
, Kostas lived on to become a respected Greek general and parliamentarian in the Greek kingdom
. Fifteen years after the death of his brother, the American traveller and author Mr. John Lloyd Stephens
visited Kostas Botsaris, then a colonel in the service of King Otto of Greece
in Missolonghi, and described him as:
Botsaris continued to serve in the Greek kingdom until his death in Athens
on 13 November 1853.
Souliotes
Souliotes were a warlike community from the area of Souli, in Greece, who became famous across Greece for their resistance against the local Ottoman Pashalik of Yanina ruled by the Muslim Albanian Ali Pasha...
captain and a hero of the War of Greek Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
. He fought at the Battle of Karpenisi and completed the victory of his brother, the renowned Markos Botsaris
Markos Botsaris
Markos Botsaris was a Souliote captain and a hero of the War of Greek Independence. Markos Botsaris is among the most revered national heroes in Greece.-Early life:...
.
Early life
Kosta Botsaris was born in 1792 as the son of captain Kitsos BotsarisKitsos Botsaris
Kitsos Botsaris , was a leader of the Souliotes, an autonomous community in Ottoman-ruled Epirus. He played a leading role in the aftermath of the last war between the Souliotes and the Ottoman ruler of Ioannina, Ali Pasha. He was the father of Kostas Botsaris and Markos Botsaris, who fought in the...
into one of the leading clans of the Souliotes
Souliotes
Souliotes were a warlike community from the area of Souli, in Greece, who became famous across Greece for their resistance against the local Ottoman Pashalik of Yanina ruled by the Muslim Albanian Ali Pasha...
, in Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
. The Botsaris clan came from the village of Dragani (today Ambelia), near Paramythia
Paramythia
Paramythia is a village and a former municipality in Thesprotia, Epirus, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Souli, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Population 7,859 .-Name:...
.
Greek War of Independence
In 1803 Kostas Botsaris and the remnants of the SouliotesSouliotes
Souliotes were a warlike community from the area of Souli, in Greece, who became famous across Greece for their resistance against the local Ottoman Pashalik of Yanina ruled by the Muslim Albanian Ali Pasha...
crossed over to the Ionian Islands
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e...
, where they ultimately took service in a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
regiment. In 1814, he joined the Greek patriotic society known as the Filiki Eteria
Filiki Eteria
thumb|right|200px|The flag of the Filiki Eteria.Filiki Eteria or Society of Friends was a secret 19th century organization, whose purpose was to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece and to establish an independent Greek state. Society members were mainly young Phanariot Greeks from Russia and local...
. On the night of 21 August 1823 Kostas, under the leadership of his brother Markos participated in the celebrated attack on Karpenisi
Karpenisi
Karpenisi is a town in central Greece. It is the capital of the peripheral unit of Evrytania. The area around Karpenisi is mountainous while farmlands are mainly in valley areas....
by 350 Souliots, against around 1000 Ottoman troops who formed the vanguard of the army with which Mustai Pasha was advancing to reinforce the besiegers. The Souliotes were victorious, however his brother was fatally wounded in the attack.
Later life
After the death of his brother Markos BotsarisMarkos Botsaris
Markos Botsaris was a Souliote captain and a hero of the War of Greek Independence. Markos Botsaris is among the most revered national heroes in Greece.-Early life:...
, Kostas lived on to become a respected Greek general and parliamentarian in the Greek kingdom
Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers...
. Fifteen years after the death of his brother, the American traveller and author Mr. John Lloyd Stephens
John Lloyd Stephens
John Lloyd Stephens was an American explorer, writer, and diplomat. Stephens was a pivotal figure in the rediscovery of Maya civilization throughout Middle America and in the planning of the Panama railroad....
visited Kostas Botsaris, then a colonel in the service of King Otto of Greece
Otto of Greece
Otto, Prince of Bavaria, then Othon, King of Greece was made the first modern King of Greece in 1832 under the Convention of London, whereby Greece became a new independent kingdom under the protection of the Great Powers .The second son of the philhellene King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto ascended...
in Missolonghi, and described him as:
Botsaris continued to serve in the Greek kingdom until his death in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
on 13 November 1853.