Tzavella, Moscho (1760–1803)

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Tzavella, Moscho (1760–1803)

Greek heroine. Born in 1760; died in 1803.

Known for her extreme bravery, Moscho Tzavella was born in 1760 and came from a family of Greek guerrilla fighters who had led insurgents against the Turkish conquerors. In her day, she commanded an uprising against Ali Pascha, the Albanian ruler of western Greece, who attacked her mountain village of Souli. Armed with sticks and stones, Tzavella and the women of her village forced the Pasha's army to retreat and abandon the campaign to capture her village. Tzavella, who was given the title of capetanios (captain), participated in the village councils of war and advised the guerrillas on military tactics.

Kelly Winters , freelance writer

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