Soldiers from Central Europe, early 19th century (Source: depositphotos.com)
During the Greek Revolution, a large number of volunteer soldiers and officers, mainly from Europe, came to revolutionary Greece to assist the Greeks in their struggle against the Ottomans. It is estimated that approximately 1.500 armed philhellenes fought during those years for the liberation of Greece.
Among the Philhellene soldiers, we find four pairs of brothers: the Bassano brothers, the Beck brothers, the Fels twins, and the Seiger brothers. We draw important information about these individuals from Errikos Fornesis’s list of Philhellenes as well as from the book “That Greece Might Still Be Free” by the distinguished Philhellene professor William St. Clair.
The Bassano Brothers
The Bassano brothers were born in Cervione, Corsica. Pascal Bassano was one of the bravest soldiers in the Philhellenic company. He fought in the Battle of Haidari (August 1826) and was killed on 6 May 1827 in the battle at Kolyadi Akra (now Agios Kosmas, Alimos). His brother, Antoine, had served in Ali Pasha’s army prior to the revolution. However, when the Greek Revolution broke out, he deserted him and sided with the Greeks. He was a sailor and took command of a small fleet in the Ambracian Gulf, and later served in Nafpaktos. As Heirich Fornesy informs us, Antoine Bassano was taken prisoner in Preveza, but thanks to his previous connections with the Turks, he managed to be saved after his family paid a ransom for his release. He died in Nafplio in 1836 from an illness. It is worth noting that he had been awarded the Cross of the Savior and the rank of captain in the reserve [1].
The Beck Brothers
François and Benjamin Beck were from Würzburg, Bavaria. Both had left the Cadet School in Württemberg and arrived in Greece to fight [2]. François, the older of the two, served as a sergeant in his homeland and died of illness in Messolonghi in November 1822. His younger brother, Benjamin, also died a few days later, unable to bear the loss of his brother [3].
The Fels Brothers
The Fels twins were from Leipzig, Saxony, and took part in the Battle of Peta. One was a pharmacist by profession and was killed at Peta. The other survived the battle, later returned to Greece to avenge his brother’s death, and died in Messolonghi in September 1824 [4].
The Seiger Brothers
Finally, the Seiger brothers were also from Leipzig. The eldest brother was a former officer in Württemberg and fought in Greece as a volunteer. He died in the Battle of Peta in July 1822. His younger brother took part in the same battle and lost his mind upon seeing his brother killed. He died in July 1822 in Anatoliko, and his death deeply moved his fellow soldiers [5].
Giorgos Giannikos
Bibliographic References:
[1] “Evdomas” magazine, Year 1, p. 9.
[2] St Clair, W. (2022). That Greece Might Still Be Free – in the War of Independence. Athens: Govostis, p. 190.
[3] “Evdomas” magazine, op. cit.
[4] St Clair, W., ibid. pp. 153, 287.
[5] “Evdomas” magazine, ibid. p. 118.
