Othonas metaxas biography for kids

Here are 17 intriguing and lesser-known aspects about the personal life, youth, family, and habits of Ioannis Metaxas:. He spent his childhood and early youth in the neighboring island of Cephalonia and his family belonged to the local elite class of the Ionian Islands, which were under British protection until , and this aristocratic background shaped his rigid, hierarchical worldview.

As a young man, Metaxas was known to be introverted and studious. He was a man of few words, often preferring solitude and reading over social engagements.

Ancient athens culture

Unlike many other politicians of his time, he did not enjoy public life or the limelight, which contributed to his later reliance on propaganda and strict censorship to maintain control over the narrative of his regime. His introversion also fueled his deep dedication to planning and strategy, both in military and political affairs.

Metaxas was a highly trained military officer who studied in Germany, attending the Berlin Military Academy. His admiration for Prussian discipline and efficiency would later influence his governance style. Metaxas had a deep admiration for Ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empire, which influenced both his personal philosophy and his political regime.

He believed in the revival of classical Greek virtues such as sense of justice, selfless courage and wisdom, but also in restoring medieval Greek Byzantine virtues such as military discipline, Christian moral purity, and loyalty to the State. His political regime embraced elements of Hellenic culture as a cornerstone of national identity, trying to connect the modern Greek state to the ideals of ancient Greece and the medieval Greek empire of Byzantium.

Despite his stern public persona, Metaxas had a softer side in his personal life. He was married to Lela Hatzioannou, with whom he had two daughters, Loukia and Nana. By all accounts, Metaxas was a devoted family man, showing affection and concern for his daughters. His personal letters to his family reveal a caring and protective father who, despite his often harsh image, took great pride in his role as a family man.