Almeida: The Portuguese Philhellene Who Fought for Greece

Almeida was electrified by the Greek conflict for independence. Public Domain

Antonio Figueira d’Almeida was a Portuguese philhellene whose beingness was a testament to his wide and adventurous spirit.

Born successful the metropolis of Elvas, Portugal, connected July 4, 1784, helium came from a subject household and followed successful their footsteps, warring bravely against Napoleon’s penetration of his homeland. His subject vocation continued arsenic helium aboriginal fought against French forces supporting the Bourbon dynasty successful Spain.

His destiny, however, was to beryllium tied to Greece. Electrified by the Greek conflict for independence, Almeida arrived successful Greece successful September 1825. He volunteered for the regular Greek army, which the French General Fabiero was organizing.

Almeida’s valor rapidly earned him a reputation. As a cavalry colonel, helium distinguished himself successful the Battle of Mehmetaga connected July 18, 1826, earning the respect of Greek revolutionary leader Theodoros Kolokotronis, who recognized his accomplishment and wanted him for much important operations.

However, governmental rivalries intervened, and Almeida was reassigned to Fabiero’s command. In 1827, helium fought nether the legendary Georgios Karaiskakis successful Attica and aboriginal took portion successful the unsuccessful run to liberate Chios.

The Portuguese philhellene reorganized the Greek cavalry

After the revolution, Almeida continued to service the recently formed Greek state. When Ioannis Kapodistrias arrived, Almeida was tasked with reorganizing the cavalry. His loyalty to Kapodistrias was unwavering, and connected September 27, 1831, helium played a important relation successful arresting Georgios Mavromichalis, 1 of Kapodistrias’s assassins, who had sought refuge astatine the French embassy. In designation of his loyalty, helium was named an honorary national of Nafplio and promoted to general.

But his vocation faced setbacks. With the accomplishment of King Otto, Almeida was demoted to colonel owed to his pro-Kapodistrian views. He was assigned assorted garrison commands, including successful Aegina and Messolonghi.

In 1837, his subject prowess was erstwhile again highlighted erstwhile helium suppressed the rebellion of Colonel Nikolaos Zervas, an enactment that led to his promotion to large general. He was aboriginal appointed subject commandant of Nafplio successful 1839.

That aforesaid year, Almeida joined Zoe Mavrokordatou, and they had 2 sons, Emmanuel and Dimitrios. He died connected September 21, 1847, astatine the property of 64, adjacent Venice.

Related: The History of the Greek War of Independence