Ilias Mavromichalis

Ilias Mavromichalis or Bezande-Ilias (1795 - 1822) was a fighter of the Greek Revolution of 1821 and scion of the historic family of Mavromichali. He went down in history as the "Fairyborn" chieftain due to his beauty - which according to popular tradition he inherited from his grandmother (daughter of the Doge of Venice, Francesco Morosini).

Also known by the nickname "Bezande" (beyizade, son of the bey in Turkish) to distinguish him from his cousin of the same name, who was nicknamed Katsakos. His self-sacrifice at Styra in Euboea, on January 12, 1822, had all the characteristics of the heroic death of an ancient Spartan warrior. It was the first loss of a high-ranking member of the Revolution from the Peloponnese.

Biography He was born in Mani and was the eldest son of Petrobey Mavromichalis and Fotini Dimitrakarakou. Ilias was one of the first in the Peloponnese to be initiated into the Filiki Eteria. He represented the Peloponnesians in the pre-revolutionary assembly of chieftains in Lefkada. At the beginning of the war, he took part in the liberation of Kalamata where, as the leader of the Maniates, he succeeded in liberating the city without a fight, in the Battle of Valtetsi, Arcadia (12-13 May 1821) where he distinguished himself, together with his uncle Kyriakoulis, for his strategic virtues and boldness, he also took part in the Siege of Tripolitsa, the Siege of Acrocorinth, the Siege of the Acropolis and battles in Euboea, where he was sent with his uncle Kyriakoulis to assist Bishop of Karystos Neophytos and the chieftains Mavrovouniotis and Kriezotis.

When he was appointed chief of the Arms of Attica, in November 1821, he was renowned as the warlord with the Doric style and Apollonian aspect. He went down in history as the "Fairyborn" chieftain. According to popular tradition, he owed his extraordinary beauty to his grandmother - who was the daughter of the Doge of Venice, Francesco Morosini. His grandfather, Giorgakis Mavromichalis, had found her unconscious on the rocks of Mani, left there by a pirate ship with which her father had fled, because she was in danger from her stepmother.

The youthful enthusiasm, bravery and philanthropy that characterized Ilias Mavromichali were paid for with his own life. His death caused deep sadness, depriving the Revolution of a very important leader, gifted at the same time with excellent diplomatic skills, at only 26 years of age. Ioannis Filimon writes: "if Doris he lost Athanasios Diakos, Laconia also he lost Ilias Mavromichali".