Bozzaris, Marcos

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

boz-zar'is, Marcos (1790-1823), a Greek patriot. When a young man he served in the French army. On the outbreak of hostilities between Greece and Turkey he threw himself into the movement for Greek independence. He was the commander of the Revolutionary forces at the siege of Missolonghi. The poet Byron was stimulated by his example. Bozzaris was wounded in making a night attack on the pasha, and died at the age of thirty-three without the satisfaction of knowing that he had aided in the liberation of his native land. At midnight, in his guarded tent, The Turk was dreaming of the hour When Greece, her knee in suppliance bent, Should tremble at his power; . . . . . . . . . An hour pass'd on: the Turk awoke: That bright dream was his last. He woke to hear his sentries shriek, To arms! they come! the Greek! the Greek! . . . . . . . . . . And heard, with voice as trumpet loud, Bozzaris cheer his band: Strike! till the last arm'd foe expires; Strike! for your altars and your fires; Strike! for the green graves of your sires; God, and your native land! --Halleck. 2026 Editor's Note: Bozzaris became an American schoolroom hero: Fitz-Greene Halleck's poem "Marco Bozzaris" was recited by generations of pupils, and towns were named for him. His cause won — Greece gained independence in 1832 — and Byron, who came to fight for it, died at Missolonghi the year after Bozzaris fell. (Ed: BR 2026-07-12)