“A Warm Welcome for the Philhellenes in Greece,” copperplate engraving. (Source: Museum of Philhellenism Collection)
The term “Philhellenes” refers to foreign nationals who, during the Greek War of Independence of 1821, contributed in their own way to achieving the goal of Greek independence. Their contribution was multifaceted, as they supported the Revolution not only on the battlefield but also on the diplomatic, economic, and ideological fronts.
As for the military aspect, during the Struggle, approximately 1,200 Philhellenes arrived in Greece and fought; they came from various European countries as well as from the United States [1]. The Philhellenic fighters were veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, liberals and radicals, enthusiastic students, and even adventurers [2].
The first expedition of Philhellenes arrived in revolutionary Greece in June 1821, funded by Dimitrios Ypsilantis. A month later, in July 1821, the French officer Joseph Baleste (1790–1822) took charge of the training and command of the first regular military corps, which was based in Kalamata [3]. In August 1821, a second expedition of Philhellenes arrived, led by Thomas Gordon (1788–1841), a wealthy officer in the British Army. The first Philhellenic Battalion was formed in Corinth in May 1822, in accordance with French military regulations.
What is particularly interesting is that the Philhellenic military units that came to Greece had their own flags. In this feature, we document some of these flags. The information comes from the press of the time, the diaries of Philhellenes, and various engravings from the first half of the 19th century.
The flag of the Philhellenes
“Greeks and Philhellenes Defeat the Turks at Thermopylae,” copperplate engraving. (Source: Museum of Philhellenism Collection)
The Philhellenes’ battle flag was white with a golden cross in the center. Our knowledge of this flag comes from two engravings by the engraver Friedrich Campe (1777–1846), which belong to the unique collection of Philhellenic artifacts at the Museum of Philhellenism (12 Zisimopoulou Street, Neo Psychiko). One depicts the warm welcome extended by the residents of a Greek city to French philhellenes. In this engraving, we can see a priest holding a white flag, followed by other priests and a large contingent of Philhellenic soldiers. At the head of the procession, Philhellenes on horseback ride forward, while small children shower them with flowers.
The second copperplate engraving, which depicts the white philhellenic flag, is titled “Greeks and Philhellenes Defeat the Turks at Thermopylae” and is the work of the same engraver. On the right side of the engraving, we can see the Philhellenes battling alongside the Greeks. Among the soldiers, we notice the white flag with a gold cross in the center.
Useful information regarding the design of the Philhellenic flags is drawn from the book “ A Narrative of the Events of the Greek Nation from 1770 to 1836,” published in 1846, which includes the memoirs of Theodoros Kolokotronis, as recorded by the 1821 revolutionary and historian Georgios Tertsetis. More specifically, on the fourth page of the Preface, we read that “virgin maidens” of France embroidered the flags of the philhellenic warriors [4].
The philhellenic flag for Messolonghi from Marseille
Reproduction of the Philhellenic flag of the Marseille Committee for Messolonghi. (Source: philhelleneshist.gr)
In August 1826, the Philhellenic Committee of Marseille prepared and sent a philhellenic flag to Greece, to be taken to the besieged city of Messolonghi. The “precious” flag had been embroidered by young women from Marseille, but unfortunately it never reached Messolonghi, as the city was captured by the Turks. Thus, it was delivered to Hydra, to the home of Georgios Kountouriotis, along with an accompanying letter, “so that it may be given to where it belongs” [5].
We find this highly interesting piece of information in the newspaper "Philos tou Nomou," issue 235, dated 16 August 1826. On Saturday, August 14, 1826, a European ship arrived on the island, carrying not only food and supplies but also 12 French and German Philhellenes. The ship also carried a flag, a gift from the Philhellenic Committee of Marseille to the “glorious Garrison of Messolonghi,” as well as a valuable sword for Colonel Favier. The Philhellenic flag had nine stripes, like the Greek naval ensign, and in its center was a gold-embroidered cross. In fact, the flag also bore the inscription: “THE HELLENIC COMMITTEE OF THE PEOPLE OF MARSEILLE TO THE HEROES OF MESOLOGGI” [6].
The Flag of the Order of the Philhellenes
The German philhellene General Karl Graf von Normann (1784–1823) founded the Order of the Philhellenes in Corinth on 12 May 1822, bringing together the philhellenes who had flocked to war-torn Greece at that time. This military unit, consisting mainly of French, Germans, Swiss, and Italians, set out from Corinth and initially traveled to Patras, Aigio, and Messolonghi. The Battalion then joined the campaign in Epirus, took part in the battle at Kompoti, and finally participated in the disastrous Battle of Peta (4 July 1822), where the unit’s tragic end was sealed.
A member of the Regiment was the Prussian physician Johann Daniel Elster (1796–1857), who was appointed regimental surgeon and major of the Regiment. Elster followed the entire march of the Regiment from Corinth to Peta and kept a diary recording all the events, big and small, that took place within the unit. Through the pages of this diary, we learn details about the Regiment’s flag. According to the Prussian doctor, on the afternoon of 19 May 1822, in Corinth, the flag was honored and the Philhellenes swore an oath of loyalty for six months, in the presence of many captains, members of the Regiment, and the residents of Corinth [7]. This flag, as Elster notes, was blue and white and had a white cross in the center [8].
Giorgos Giannikos
Bibliography:
[1] Rizas, S. (2021). The Great Powers and the Revolution: From Leibach to Navarino. Athens: Metaixmio, p. 136.
[2] Rizas, ibid. p. 136.
[3] Koumandos, P. (2013). In the Footsteps of Joseph Valest. Kalamata: self-published.
[4] Kolokotronis, T. (1846). An Account of the Events of the Greek People from 1770 to 1836—Dictated by Theodoros Konstantinos Kolokotronis (Ed. G. Tertsetis), Athens: Printed by H. Nikolaidis of Philadelphia, p. 4.
[5] Papathanassopoulos, I. (1971). The Flag of the Mesolonghi Garrison. Athens: n.p., pp. 7–8.
[6] “O Filos tou Nomou,” no.235/16-8-1826, p. 4.
[7] Elster, J-D. (2010). The Philhellenic Battalion (trans. C. Oikonomou). Athens: Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, p. 33.
[8] Elster, J-D., ibid. p. 37.
