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| Picture of Theodoros Kolokotronis |
The contribution of Albanians to the Independence of Greece has been appreciated by many historians and serious scholars of this period, there are also Greek historians who can not neglect this reality, perhaps bitter for Greek nationalism.
Successful Albanians such as Marko Boçari, Laskarina Bubulina and many Arvanites fought with an unparalleled bravery in trying to liberate the Greek territories from the Ottoman conqueror.
No military figure was rated more than the Greek general of Arvanitas origin, Theodoros Kolokotronis.Kolokotronis, also known as "The Elder of Mora", was born on 3 April 1770 in the Old Messina. The whole life of Kolokotronis flows among Albanians, be it Muslims or Christians. He had become brother with the Christian, Marko Boçarin, and the Muslim, Ali Farmaqi.
The Kolokotronis soldiers were Arbëror from Morea, or from Chameria. The Kolokotronis Epithet is the correct translation of the Arbëror expression "Byth-Guri" and was first given to his grandfather, Jani. In September 1833 he was imprisoned in the Greek naval frigate and they sought his death sentence. In his memoirs, he says, "They gave me 9 months prison, without seeing anyone except guardians.
So many months I did not know what was out there, who died, who else was imprisoned. I did not knew why they had imprisoned me. I never believed that they would become so degenerated to devise false witnesses ... ". Defense Counsel, Klonar - said in his speech. "How long do you Court judges will you continue this gang attack? How long will continue the relentless persecution against those who liberated, raised the glory and continue to give glory to Greece ...? "
Kolokotroni after got out of the prison is killed in infidelity, as many Arvanites heroes of the uprising of 1821.
The surname of Kolokotroni is a Greek translation of the name Bythguri (Stone ass), but their ancient surname is Chergjini, Arvanitis adjective, which means: cher = wise and gjin (gender) = people, so brave people would be the standard variant .
The word "gjin" in Albanian means people, a word that is used today.