Athanasios Kanakaris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Athanasios Kanakaris
|
|
|---|---|
Athanasios Kanakaris during the siege of Patras
by Peter von Hess |
|
| Native name |
Αθανάσιος Κανακάρης
|
| Born | 1760 Patras, Morea Eyalet, Ottoman Empire (now Greece) |
| Died | 15 January 1823 Ermioni, Morea Eyalet, Ottoman Empire (now Greece) |
| Allegiance |  First Hellenic Republic |
| Service/ |
 Hellenic Army |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Spouse(s) | Paraskevi Kostaki |
| Children | Benizelos Roufos Angeliki |
| Other work | Member of the Filiki Etaireia Member of the Peloponnesian Senate Member of the First National Assembly at Epidaurus |
Athanasios Kanakaris (Greek: Αθανάσιος Κανακάρης) was an important Greek politician. He was born in 1760 in Patras, a city in Greece. He played a big role in the Greek War of Independence, helping Greece gain freedom from the Ottoman Empire. He died in 1823.
Early Life and Family
Athanasios Kanakaris was born in Patras in 1760. His father, Benizelos Roufos (elder), came from a rich family. This family had moved to Patras from Sicily in the 1600s. His mother, Angeliki Kanakaris, was from a Greek family that settled in Patras around the same time.
In 1785, Kanakaris was chosen as a "headsman" of Patras. This meant he was a local leader or mayor. He became one of the most powerful Greek leaders in the area called Morea.
Fighting for Freedom
Kanakaris became a representative for his province to the Ottoman Porte. This was the central government of the Ottoman Empire. While there, he joined a secret group called the Filiki Eteria. This group was working to prepare for the Greek War of Independence.
When the war began, Kanakaris was very active. He became a member of the Peloponnesian Senate. This was an early government body for the Greek rebels. He also joined the First National Assembly at Epidaurus. This assembly created the first temporary government for Greece.
Kanakaris used his own money to help the Greek cause. He supported the fight for freedom financially. From January 1822 until his death in 1823, he served as a deputy president. He worked under Alexandros Mavrokordatos in the Greek provisional government.
Kanakaris's Family Legacy
Athanasios Kanakaris married Paraskevi Kostaki. They had a son named Benizelos Roufos and a daughter named Angeliki.
His son, Benizelos Roufos, later became the Prime Minister of Greece. Other members of the Kanakaris family also served as mayors, members of parliament, and government ministers. They continued to play important roles in Greek politics.
