The Frankish Tower Koulas and an Iniquitous Crime

In the chapter Karpos Papadopoulos from the book The Mystery of the Klepsydra the readers learn about the revolutionary fighter of the Greek War of Independence, Odysseas Androutsos and his initiative to build a bastion around the newly discovered Klepydra spring.

However, in his memoirs Karpos Papadopoulos (merchant, writer, and revolutionary fighter) goes on to chronicle the unrelenting pursuit and murder of Odysseas Androutsos.

Karpos Papadopoulos understood that the circumstances surrounding the murder were complex. He gives a thorough historical background of these events and includes correspondences, letters written by Odysseas Androutsos (considered to be exceptional works of Modern Greek prose) as proof of his patriotism as an honorable and just man. One thing is clear, and that is the fact that Odysseas was simply an impediment for the ambitions of many men and their endeavor for power.

Odysseas fully comprehended that he was a hunted man but he never expected the betrayal of his dear friend and protopalikaro (πρωτοπαλίκαρο- his most faithful follower and comrade) Yiannis Gouras. In his letters Odysseas refers to Yiannis as his brother and in the past he had even saved him from certain death.

However, Gouras’ greed for personal gain far outweighed his gratitude towards Odysseas. It was Gouras, in fact, who wrote to the Interim Administration suggesting the “removal” of Odysseas.

Odysseas was brought to Athens where he was imprisoned in the Frankish Tower Koulas without a trial. Three men were responsible for the abhorrent torture and murder of one of Greece’s most admirable and patriotic revolutionary fighters.

After being strangled, his body was thrown over the Tower making it look as if Odysseas was trying to escape. They claimed he was attempting to climb down by rope when the rope broke, plunging him to his death.

As mentioned in the guidebook Walls, Rivers, and Demes in Ancient Athens this tower was removed in 1875 (funded by the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann). If it stood today, it would certainly be a haunting reminder of one of the most disturbing events in Modern Greek history.

Article written by Joanna Karachristos