Greece | 1974 | 2 Drachmai | Georgios Karaiskakis

 




Georgios Karaiskakis

Georgios Karaiskakis (1780/1782–1827) was a prominent Greek klepht, armatolos, and military leader of the Greek War of Independence. Born Georgios Iskos, likely near either Mavrommati (Agrafa) or Skoulikaria (Arta), he was of Sarakatsani descent and known as “The Nun’s Son.”

He became a klepht at a young age under Katsantonis, rose quickly for his bravery, and was later captured and released by Ali Pasha, who recognized his talent. Karaiskakis played key roles in the Missolonghi sieges, and his most famous success was the victory at Arachova, where he crushed a major Ottoman-Albanian force.

In 1827, while helping the effort to lift the siege of Athens, he was fatally wounded on 23 April. According to his wishes, he was buried on Salamis.

 


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