Monument of Dimitrios Ypsilantis

The ‘noble’ Field Marshall of the Revolution

Dimitrios Ypsilantis (1793-1832), soldier and politician, a descendant of a well-known noble family from Fanari, Constantinople, was one of the main figures of the Revolution of 1821. He became a member of the ‘Philiki Etairia’ (‘Society of Friends’), the secret organization founded for the purpose of coordinating the Struggle of the Greeks against the Ottoman rulers, and served in political and military positions of responsibility without, however, attaining a position as leader. He died in 1832 at the young age of 39, and is buried in the narthex of the Metropolitan Church of Agios Georgios in Nafplio.

What are the characteristics of the sculpture?

The monument of Dimitrios Ypsilantis is dominated by the exceptional sculpted decoration of its two marble sarcophagi which are set on a cement base.The lower sarcophagus is embellished with two abstract forms of warriors, having identical war equipment such as helmets, spears, swords, arrows, axes, and decorated shields, but wearing different clothing. The two figures are connected by a garland decorated with flowers.The smaller upper sarcophagus depicts a female wearing ancient Greek clothing, and a male, naked but with wings; in his left hand, he holds a sword and a tunic (‘chitona’) which reaches to the ground, while his right hand holds an object which is probably a stylus. On the back of the monument is an engraved cross within a circle, while below that is a wreath with an inscription referring to the name of the honoured hero, his date of birth (25th December 1793), and the date of his death (5th August 1832).

When was the work commissioned and installed?

The funerary monument was made in Vienna, ordered by the brother of Dimitrios Ypsilantis, Georgios, to serve as an ossuary. It was installed in 1843 in the Square of the Plane Tree – today, Syntagma Square – and was likely moved to its present location in 1951.