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People
Greek War Of Independence (1821-1829)
Odissefs Androutsos (1788-1825)
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Odissefs Verousis (Androutsos) {Οδυσσεύς Βερούσης (Ανδρούτσος)} (1788-1825). Odissefs Androutsos' father was Andreas {Ανδρέας} Verousis, the renowned Armatolos {Αρματωλός} (name for those who were charged with the security of certain areas under Ottoman occupation) of Rumeli.
His father's execution by the Ottomans for the part he had played alongside Katsonis [Katsonis], as well as his term at the Court of Mehmet Ali Paşa (1744-1820, Albanian Paşa and Vezir, whose ambitions turned him against the Sultan causing him to be declared a traitor in 1820) had a decisive influence on his character. He became suspicious, irritable and harsh, but decisive and magnanimous.
He became Armatolos of Rumeli {Ρούμελη} and formed links with well-known Armatoli {Αρματωλοί} and Klephts {Κλέφτες} (name for those who took to the mountains under Ottoman rule and refused to submit). After the heroic death of Athanasios Diakos [People], he undertook to hold up the Ottoman advance at the Inn of Gravia {To Hani Tis Gravias ~ Το Χάνι Τής Γραβιάς} so that Ottoman reinforcements would not be able to get through to Tripolis (Tripolitsa) {Τρίπολις} ({Τριπολιτσά}). For this victory he was proclaimed Commander-in-Chief of Eastern Mainland {Anatolikh Sterea ~ Ανατολική Στερεά} Greece.
However, he fell victim to his rivals who accused him of being "unworthy of command". He was demoted to the rank of chiliarch and eventually deprived of any rank. He again came under suspicion of collusion with the Ottomans [Civil Wars]. He gave himself up to his former collaborator and champion, Ioannis Gkouras {Ιωάννης Γκούρας}, when Gkouras and the other Chiefs explicitly promised that he would not be punished. But Gkouras did not keep his word. He sent him to Athens [Place Names] and had him imprisoned in the old Frankish tower of Goula {Γουλά} on the Acropolis {Ακρόπολις}.
But because people started to react against this ill-treatment, and because Androutsos himself asked to be put on trial, Gkouras ordered him put to death. The order was carried out on June 5th. So as to cover up the crime, the body was thrown onto the stone floor in the Temple of Wingless Victory {Apteros Niki ~ Άπτερος Νίκη} on the Acropolis and rumours that he had accidentally fallen and killed himself while trying to escape were deliberately spread. He was buried temporarily in the Church of the Saviour in Rizokastro {Ριζόκαστρο}.
In 1865 his remains were transferred with great pomp and military honours to the 1st Cemetery of Athens, where his grave can still be seen. In 1888 a bust of Androutsos was unveiled at the Inn of Gravia. King Georgios I [People] was among the dignitaries present at the unveiling.
Odissefs Verousis (Androutsos) (1788-1825)
04-23-2004