Constantin Denis Bourbaki
Colonel Constantin Denis Bourbaki | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Διονύσιος Βούρβαχης |
| Birth name | Dionysios Bourbakis |
| Born | c. 1787 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Children | Charles-Denis Bourbaki (son) |
| Other work | Aide-de-camp to Joseph Bonaparte |
Dionysios Vourvachis (
Charles Denis Bourbaki
.
Biography
Early life
Bourbaki was born on the island of
St Cyr
). He graduated from the academy in 1804.
Career under Napoleon and retirement
Following his graduation, he took part in several conflicts of the
King of Spain by Napoleon. However, following the Emperor's exile to Elba, he resigned his commission in the military. After Napoleon's return to France, he resumed active duty with the rank of colonel, but he resigned again after the defeat at Waterloo and the Bourbon Restoration in 1815. In the following years, he left France for Spain due to a duel, but was expelled soon afterwards for his anti-monarchist views. He retired to the town of Pau, in the French Pyrenees
.
Service during the Greek War of Independence
Following the outbreak of the
Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans. In 1826, he was sent to Greece as the head of a number of French volunteers, and intended to place himself under the command of Georgios Karaiskakis
.
He received a negative reaction from the
besieged at the Acropolis of Athens
.
The force, numbering about 500 men in total, and under the command of Bourbaki, advanced to
Eleusis in February, and faced the Ottomans at the Battle of Kamatero on 8 February (27 January in the Julian calendar
). Despite opposite opinions by the Greek chieftains, Bourbaki insisted on facing the Ottomans in an organised formation. His force was defeated by the Ottoman cavalry, losing over 300 men. He was captured, and beheaded later the same day.
Memorials
Vourvachis street in Kamatero is named after Bourbaki in honour of his heroic death on the town's premises. Moreover, the municipality has occasionally held games in his honour, called the Vourvachia (Βουρβάχεια), with varying success.
See also
References
 | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2016) ) |
- Whitcombe, T. D. Campaign of the Falieri and Piraeus in 1827 (edited by C. W. J. Eliot) Town House Press Inc., Pittsboro, North Carolina, 1992.
- Τρικούπης, Σ. Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως, τόμος Δ’, σ. 99.
| International | |
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