The “unsung” hero of the revolution was tortured and became a nearly blind beggar

In her case March 25 One comes to mind pending And Simultaneously tragic forms her Revolution of 1821 And National Liberation Struggle: O Nikitas StamadelopoulosBetter known as “Turgobagos” wins.

Nikitaras was born in 1781 in Megali Anastasova, in present-day Nedusa, Messinia, and was the son of Stamadelos, known as “Turkoleka”, a warrior from the Leontarios region, and his mother Sophia Dimitrio Karaoutsou. Among his brothers, Ioannis Tourgolegas and Nikolaos Stamadelopoulos, who were declared holy child martyrs, are known.

From an early age, he became the leader of a group in the body of the thief Zacharias, who distinguished himself for his bravery. In 1805, after persecution by the Kleftermatuls, he went to Zakynthos, occupied by the Russians, and joined the battalions established while fighting in Italy against Napoleon.

He then returned to the Ionian Islands and served the French who occupied them. In 1808, he returned to the Peloponnese with his uncle Kolokotronis to assist Ali Farmakis, who was being pursued by Veli Pasha. Later, he was involved in the recruitment of Dasami Albanians as part of the French plan to create a Greco-Albanian state.

After the capture of the Ionian Islands by the British, he enlisted as an officer in the Greek battalions under Richard Church and was sent to southern Italy to fight Bonaparte. He was in Zakynthos when the order was dissolved.

Nikitaras in the Friendly Society and the Revolution of 1821

Nikitaras was launched in 1818 Friendly community Later he changed his last name to Chinna Stamadelopoulos. His example was followed by his brother Nicholas.

The nickname Nikitaras was given to him after the Battle of Tervenakia and was adopted as a surname by his son Ioannis after 1854.

As soon as the Revolution of 1821 broke out, Nikitaras went to Valdetschi in Arcadia to take part in its successful battle in May 1821. However, it is said that he did not have time to participate as Caehyapis saw Nikitaras approaching Ioannis Kolokotronis. Others ordered a retreat as the Ottoman army was in danger of being encircled.

The first war in which he took an active part War of the Dolians, in which he was also the main character. In it, Nikitaras held Ano Doliana with 450 men, repulsing thousands of attacking Turks with artillery. From that day on his men named him “turcophagus” A nickname that goes down in history.

Nikitaras distinguished himself in subsequent battles in which he collaborated with his uncle Theodoros Kolokotronis, mainly in the siege and fall of Tripolitsa, but also in other battles in central Greece. He was one of the most important fighters of the revolution with his own armed group.

In the Peloponnese he took part in the repulse of Dramalis, while at the narrow Tervenakia, along with Dimitrios Ypsilandis and Papaflessa, Nikitaras inflicted heavy losses on the Ottoman troops.

Legend has it that he broke three swords during the battle, and when the last one was destroyed, Nikitaras suffered from a sore on his arm, and a doctor was called to cut it open and remove the point of the sword.

As Dramalis retreated towards Argos, Nikitaras captured the fortified position of Aginori and killed many of the Ottomans who tried to escape. More generally, he contributed greatly to the retreat of Dramalis, which was a complete failure, as is well known “Moon of Dramalis”.

Nikitaras participated in many more battles until the formation of the independent Greek state, while he is characterized by his contemporaries, but also by historians, as an example of courage and selflessness.

Glorious conclusion

After the revolution, under Kapodistrias and then under Otto, it belonged Napais partyknown Russian Party. The Greek government, fearing that the Russophil Party was trying to replace King Otto with a Russian prince, arrested Nikitaras in 1839 and sentenced him. One and a half years imprisonmentIn the prisons of Aegina.

Nikitaras was involved in a conspiracy against Otho, and the conspirators' action was betrayed by a former member of the movement. In the subsequent trial, no incriminating evidence was presented that could even prove the formation of a “secret organization” because they were able to destroy it, which is why he was acquitted.

When he was released, his health was weakened by the torture he had endured during his imprisonment. He was unknowingly diagnosed with diabetes and as a result he lost his eyesight.

Nikitaras' poverty and destitution forced him to take refuge beggingAlthough it was granted to him RELATED LICENSE Almost blind, he was working as a porter in the port of Piraeus, where the Church of Evangelistria Piraeus stands today.

In 1843, when King Otto was forced to grant a constitution to Greece after the September 3 Revolution, Nikitaras was given it. degree of Lt. GenWith a meager pension, at the same time 1847 Appointed member her Senate.

He died on September 25, 1849 at the age of 68. His last wish was to be buried next to his uncle Theodoros Kolokotronis in the First Cemetery of Athens.