Andreas Miaoulis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andreas Miaoulis
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A portrait of Andreas Miaoulis
by Dionysios Tsokos |
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| Native name |
Ανδρέας Μιαούλης
Andrea Miauli |
| Birth name | Andreas Vokos Ανδρέας Βώκος |
| Nickname(s) | Miaoulis Μιαούλης |
| Born | 1765 Hydra, Eyalet of the Archipelago, Ottoman Empire (now Greece) |
| Died | 11 June 1835 (aged 70) Athens, Kingdom of Greece |
| Buried |
Piraeus, close to the tomb of Themistocles
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| Allegiance | .svg){kind=small} First Hellenic Republic Kingdom of Greece |
| Service/ |
.svg){kind=small} Hellenic Navy |
| Years of service | 1821-1827 1832-1835 |
| Rank | Admiral (Revolutionary Navy) Vice Admiral (Hellenic Navy) |
| Battles/wars |
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| Awards |  Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer |
| Children | Dimitrios Miaoulis Antonios Miaoulis Ioannis Miaoulis Emmanouil Miaoulis Athanasios Miaoulis Nikolaos Miaoulis |
| Relations | Andreas A. Miaoulis (grandson) Andreas Miaoulis (grandson) Dimitrios D. Miaoulis (grandson) Emmanouil A. Miaoulis (grandson) |
| Signature |  |
Andreas Vokos, known as Miaoulis (born 1765, died 1835), was a brave Greek leader. He was an admiral and a politician who led the Greek navy during the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829). This war was fought to free Greece from the Ottoman Empire.
Contents
Life and Early Career
Andreas Miaoulis was born on the island of Hydra. His family came from Fylla, a town in Euboea. Before he became a famous admiral, Miaoulis was a successful merchant captain. He traded in corn and earned a lot of money during the Napoleonic Wars.
He was known for using his wealth to help others. When the Greek islands decided to fight against the Ottoman Empire, Miaoulis was chosen to lead their naval forces. He used his own money and ships to support the fight for freedom.
The people of the islands, like Hydra, faced many challenges under Ottoman rule. They were forced to join the Ottoman navy. Even though they were open to attacks from the sea, they were among the first to join the fight for independence.
Becoming an Admiral
In 1822, Miaoulis was made navarch, which means admiral. He commanded the many small ships that made up the Greek rebel fleet. He led a mission to get revenge for the terrible massacre that happened on the island of Chios.
He also won an important naval battle at Nauplia in September 1822. This victory was a big step for the Greek forces.
In 1824, after the Ottomans took over the island of Psara, Miaoulis led the Greek forces. He stopped the Ottoman fleet from advancing further, even though the Greeks lost many of their special fire ships.
Later that year, he tried to stop Egyptian forces from taking Navarino. He fought hard and caused problems for them, but he could not stop them from occupying the area.
In 1825, Miaoulis managed to deliver supplies and extra fighters to Missolonghi. This city was under siege for the third time. Even though he tried to break the sea blockade, he could not save the city from falling. The enemy ships were much stronger and more numerous.
End of His Command
As the war continued, the Greek navy became weaker. This was partly because they ran out of money. Also, piracy became a big problem in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Miaoulis remained the main naval leader for the Greeks until 1827. That year, a former British Royal Navy officer named Thomas Cochrane joined the Greek forces. Miaoulis stepped aside to let Cochrane take command.
Later Life and Legacy
After Greece gained its independence, Miaoulis became involved in some political disagreements. He was against the government of Kapodistrias. In August 1831, he took control of some important Greek ships at Poros, including the Hellas. These ships were later destroyed during a fight with the Russian fleet.
Miaoulis was part of the group that invited King Otto to become the first king of Greece. King Otto made Miaoulis a rear-admiral and then a vice-admiral. He also gave him the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, a very high honor.
Death and Remembrance
Andreas Miaoulis passed away on June 24, 1835, in Athens.
He was buried in Piraeus, close to the tomb of Themistocles, who was a famous admiral in ancient Athens. Miaoulis's heart is kept in a special urn at the Ministry of Commercial Navy.
The Hellenic Navy honored him by naming a cruiser after him in 1879. This ship was called the Navarchos Miaoulis.
His son, Athanasios, also became an important military officer. He served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 1857 to 1862.
Every year, a big festival called Miaoulute is held in Hydra. It takes place on the weekend closest to June 21. This festival celebrates Admiral Miaoulis and his important role in the Greek Revolution of 1821.
Gallery
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Statue in Ermoupoli by Georgios Bonanos
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Statue of Andreas Miaoulis in Hydra.
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Lithography by Karl Krazeisen
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Miaoulis by Peter von Hess
