Manto Mavrogenous – Why so important?
She was a woman with great goals and special skills for the Greek War of Independence. Her contribution to the Greek revolution was important. She could not accept the stereotypical perception about women of her times. Her revolutionary activity remained in history as exemplary. She had a strong zeal to overthrow the Ottoman Empire. Manto Mavrogenous wanted to form a Greek state on solid foundations.
Her aristocratic origins – Her studies
Manto was born in Trieste in 1796. Her name was Magdalene. Her father was Nikolaos Mavrogenis, a merchant and a member of “Filiki Etaireia” – “Φιλική Εταιρεία”, in Greek. The “Filiki Etaireia” was the secret organization that was founded seven years before 1821, the year of Independence. Why? The members of the “Filiki Etaireia” organised the war against the Ottoman rule of Greece, after 400 years of domination. Her mother was born in the Cycladic island, Mykonos. Mykonos was the main place where Manto took action against the Ottoman Empire.
Apart from her aristocratic origins, she was highly educated. The Greek heroine studied Greek Philosophy and History in Trieste. She could also speak fluently three language, French, Italian and Turkish.
Her revolutionary actions
Manto was a very skillful leader. She equipped two private ships that would take part in the Greek War of Revolution. In 1822 the enemy troops threatened Greek islands and her homeland. She financed the fleet of two more ships to attack the pirates that threatened Mykonos. She was the one who inspired the Mykonians to fight the enemy. Moreover, she herself took part at the operations of Karystos, Pylion, Fthiotida and Livadia.
Manto also financed the Chios campaign. However, the Greeks failed to prevent the Chios massacre. Another plan, the heroine had was as follows: she wanted the fleet she financed and equipped to cross Peloponesse and join the troops there. However, when the Ottoman troops came in Samos, her plan could not be accomplished.
Recognition
All in all, she dedicated her life and donated her fortune to the Greek War of Independence. Manto Mavrogenous was very skillful and brave and engaged successfully in the Greek revolution. After the end of the war, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of the Greece, offered Manto the award of “General” which was a very honorary title. The statue of Manto Mavrogenous lies in the central Square of Mykonos Town. Moreover, in Paros, the main square in the port town of Paroikia has also been given the name of Mando Mavrogenous. The heroine moved to Paros in 1840 and died there.
Λεξιλόγιο – Vocabulary
1/ η ηρωίδα = heroine
2/ η επανάσταση = revolution
3/ ο πόλεμος = war
4/ πολεμώ = to fight
5/ χρηματοδοτώ = to fund
