Kolokotronis, Theodore

Kolokotronis, Theodore kôlôkôtrôˈnyēs [key], 1770–1843, Greek patriot and general. A leader in the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in the 1820s, he was instrumental in the capture of Trípolis, Návplion, Corinth, Pátrai, and Árgos. In 1823 he was appointed commander in chief of forces in the Peloponnesus. A supporter of Count Capo d'Istria, Kolokotronis was one of the leading pro-Russian advocates. He opposed the regency of Bavarian ministers during the minority of King Otto I and was charged with treason, but he was pardoned in 1835. Kolokotronis is the hero of numerous folk songs.

See his Memoirs from the Greek War of Independence, 1821–1833 (tr., new and enl. ed. 1969).

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