Ioannis Mamouris

Portrait of Mamouris in later life, ca. 1868

Ioannis Mamouris (Greek: Ιωάννης Μαμούρης; Dremista, Parnassida 1797 – Athens, 12 April 1867^[1]), also known as Giannis of Goura (Γιάννης του Γκούρα)) was a Greek chieftain of the Greek War of Independence and officer of the Greek army. He is considered as one of the killers of Odysseas Androutsos.^[2]

Biography

Early years and activity during the Greek War of Independence

Mamouris was born in 1797^[2] in Dremista, in the Parnassida region, and at an early age he joined the klephtes of Central Greece.^[3] After the beginning of the Greek Revolution he was initially under the command of Panourgias and he participated in the liberation of Salona. He took over the guarding of the Ottoman prisoners of war, who finally were executed almost to a man by his cousin, Ioannis Gouras,^[3] on the orders of Panourgias.^[4]

Under the command of Odysseas Androutsos he participated in the battles of Gravia and Vasilika.^[2] Later, he fought under the command of Gouras and became notorious for abuses at the expense of the residents of Athens.^[2] During the Greek civil wars of 1824–25, he fought on the side of the government forces^[2] while in 1824 he was appointed chiliarch.^[5]

On 5 June 1825, on Gouras' command, along with Mitros Triantafyllinas and Papakostas Tzamalas he murdered Odysseas Androutsos, who was held prisoner in the Acropolis of Athens, by strangling him in his cell. Then they threw the body of the Frankish Tower in an attempt to make it look as if he had died during an escape attempt.^[6]

At the end of 1825, he was one of the supporters of the creation of a regular army, but during the next year, he and other chieftains turned against it, fearing that with the generalization of the institution they would lose their influence.^[7] The same year, he participated in Charles Fabvier's campaign in Euboea and later he took part in the defence of the Acropolis during its siege by Reşid Mehmed Pasha.^[2] After the death of Gouras, he replaced him as commandant of the fortress.^[3] In 1828, he became second pentakosiarch in the 4th chiliarchy^[8] and was distinguished in 1829 for his participation in the Battle of Petra, the last battle of the Greek Revolution.^[9]

Later life

In late 1830 he joined the regular army, with the rank of Major.^[9] He became notorious for the harsh suppression of revolts against King Otto, and advanced to the rank of Major General.^[3] He died in Athens on 12 April 1867.^[2] He was married to the daughter of the Athenian notable Ioannis Vlachos.^[10] His son was Major General Iraklis Mamouris.^[3]

References