The End of the Brave Man:
Assessing the Testimonies on the Death and Burial of Pavlos Melas
The birthday of Pavlos Melas, March 29, 1870, is not very known, because the date that marked Greek history is October 13, 1904. The unexpected death of the romantic and passionate patriot on that day became the trigger for a nationwide campaign for the defense of Hellenism in Macedonia and, at the same time, the symbol of selfless devotion to the homeland. Since then, Melas has been honored as the perfect hero. However, the significance of his sacrifice reduced interest in the actual events surrounding his death, although they are of exceptional interest. A multitude of conflicting pieces of information, from different sources, when cross-examined, compose a dramatic setting that largely remains unknown. The End of the Brave Man constitutes a genuine historical mystery for those capable of solving it.
