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Ioannis Daskalogiannis was born in Anopoli Sfakion in Crete.
His real name was Ioannis Vlahos but because he hade some
education his compatriots called him Daskalos (teacher). Daskalos+Giannis
= Daskalogiannis. He was merchant ship owner trading in many
Mediterranean ports. He became member of Filiki Eteria and
organized, led and economically supported the April 1770 Cretan
revolution against the Turks. The revolution started from
Sfakia. Unfortunately the promised Russian help through admiral
Orlof never arrived and with his 1300 fighters fought 40.000
Turks. In the end the revolution crashed and Daskalogiannis
surrender to the Turks in Fragocastelo to prevent further
distraction of his beloved Sfakia. They skinned him alive
in Heraklion a few months later. H sacrificed all his wealth
and family for the freedom of Crete. He became the first ethnomartyras
to the cause of the Cretan freedom.
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