ΤΩΝ ΑΝΤΡΕΙΩΜΕΝΩΝ Τ ΑΡΜΑΤΑ
“Τhe weapons of the brave ones”
Weapons and supplies of the Cretans during the 1821 Revolution
Eftihis Tzirtzilakis collection
In 1821, the Cretans joined the Greek people in their revolution against the Ottoman Empire. Despite being poor and oppressed by the Turks, they showed bravery and fought with the limited weapons they had, including some primitive wooden ones. These weapons came from various origins, including some used in other Ottoman regions and others made in Europe, as well as weapons made locally in Crete, which had specific regional traits and aesthetics.The Cretan weaponry of the 21st century is of great historical importance and constitutes a significant aspect of the Material Folk Culture of Crete. The exhibition showcases 14 thematic sections, presenting a guide to the art, technique, aesthetics, and beliefs of that time, as well as a reference to the conditions of the war.
- Case 1: This section showcases weapons that were in use before the 1821 Revolution, as well as weapons from the era of the "Cretan War" between the Venetians and the Turks (1645-1669). Examples of weapons on display include a chain mail, a bow, arrows, knives, and swords from the 17th century.
- Case 2: This section displays the primitive wooden weapons that the Cretans used at the start of the 1821 Revolution, before they acquired better weapons through looting. Examples of weapons on display include a head knocker called "Hourhouda," wooden sword-clubs called "Spathoravdi" or "Spathoverga," and slings.
- Case 3: This section showcases the contents of a fighter's bag. The revolutionaries had to be self-sufficient in all their needs, such as food, footwear, and caring for their wounds, as there was no organized supply of provisions.
- Case 4: This section displays the "essentials of war," including different objects and items needed by a fighter, such as cartridge cases and bullet molds, ammunition, and even amulets of that time.
- Case 5: This section showcases the weapons of the Cretan revolutionaries, including the oldest dated Cretan dagger (bearing the inscription "GIORGAKI PAPADAKI 1796"), a yataghan (bearing the inscription "GORG 1820"), and three pistols bearing an inscription on the barrel: "Γ (for Georgios) A (for Anagnostis) Σκουλάς (Skoulas)," nick-named "Bogiornos."
-Case 6: This section displays the weapons of the Cretan Turks, including weapons bearing the crescent in a visible spot and a few others on which certain morphological symbols of the Muslim faith have been incorporated, such as a wooden head-knocker with a minaret-shaped knot and a yataghan with a handle in the shape of a Sufi dervish's headdress. There are also some luxury weapons on display, such as the yataghan dagger bearing the inscription "Gazi Hussein Pasha, 1645" and an officer's yataghan of Ibrahim's army.
-Case 7: This section is dedicated to the Cretan daggers. The exhibits date from the late 18th century, when they reached their current shape, up to the end of the 19th century. The daggers on display are typical of different period times and types crafted.
-Case 8: This section continues to showcase the Cretan daggers, with exhibits that are typical of different period times and types crafted.
-Case 9: This section displays the Cretan yataghans with leather or silver scabbards. The silver scabbards of the Cretan yataghans establish a prominent specimen of Cretan metalwork and reveal the technical skills and experience of the craftsmen, alongside the special aesthetics that had prevailed on the island.
-Case 10: This section showcases different types of swords and sabres of that time, such as "Pala" or "Shamshir" sabres and swords in various forms meant for different use, including infantry, cavalry, or navy.
-Case 11: The Cretan pistols were a unique type of pistols known for their distinctive shape and length. There were two types of pistols - the ordinary wooden ones and the expensive silver-mounted ones.
Case 12: The 19th century saw the production of different types of muskets. Some were cheaply made for export to poor populations in Arabia and Africa, while others were used by regular armies. The Turkish style musket or rifle "Sisanes" and the Greek style musket "Kariofili" were commonly used during the 1821 Revolution by the Greek people.
Case 13: The long Cretan muskets, also known as "Lazarina," were confiscated during the disarmament of Crete by the Great Powers in 1900. As a result, they are rare and hard to find today.
Case 14: This case displays a variety of weapons used in hand-to-hand combat and firearms used in different regions of the Ottoman Empire, many of which were also used in Crete.
Негізгі бет THE WEAPONS OF THE BRAVE - HISTORY AND LEGACY
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