11 Facts About Ioannis Kolettis

Ioannis Kolettis was a Greek politician who played a significant role in Greek affairs from the Greek War of Independence through the early years of the Greek Kingdom, including as Minister to France and serving twice as Prime Minister.

Ioannis Kolettis was a hellenized Aromanian, with a strong sense of Greek identity.

Ioannis Kolettis was born in Syrrako, Epirus and played a leading role in the political life of the Greek state in the 1830s and 1840s.

Ioannis Kolettis studied medicine in Pisa, Italy and was influenced by the Carbonari movement and started planning his return to Epirus in order to participate in Greece's independence struggles.

Ioannis Kolettis remained in Ioannina till March 1821, when he entered Filiki Eteria and left for Syrrako, together with chieftain Raggos, in order to spread the revolution into Central Greece, but his efforts quickly failed because of the rapid reaction of the Ottoman army.

Ioannis Kolettis was the leader of the pro-French party and based his power on his relations with the leaders of Central Greece but on his ability to eliminate his adversaries by acting behind the scenes.

When Ioannis Kolettis Kapodistrias landed at Nafplio in January 1828 as governor, he was appointed as governor of Samos and later, in July 1829 as Minister of Defense.

In October 1831, Kapodistrias was assassinated; in the ensuing civil war, which lasted until 1832, Ioannis Kolettis was leader of the Roumeliot Party.

Until Otto of Greece reached adulthood, Ioannis Kolettis was Minister of the Navy and Minister of Defense.

Ioannis Kolettis returned to Greece after the coup that broke out in Athens in September 1843, which forced King Otto to grant a constitution and Kolettis took part in the subsequent Constitutional Assembly.

Ioannis Kolettis is credited with conceiving the Megali Idea or "Great Idea" which became the core of Greek foreign policy until the early 20th century.