Battle of Dervenakia

In July 1822, Greek forces destroyed a large Ottoman army in the mountain passes of Dervenakia, between Corinth and Argos, in one of the most decisive victories of the Greek War of Independence. The Ottoman commander Mahmud Dramali Pasha had marched into the Peloponnese with an army of around 20,000 men, including a large cavalry force, aiming to crush the revolution. He met little resistance at first, capturing Corinth and advancing to Argos. The Greek government fled, but Theodoros Kolokotronis organized resistance. The Greeks burned crops and blocked supplies, while Demetrios Ypsilantis and others held the fortress of Larissa at Argos, delaying Dramali. His army ran short of food and water in the summer heat and was forced to retreat toward Corinth through the narrow passes. Kolokotronis and other Greek leaders, including Nikitaras, set ambushes in the passes of Dervenakia and nearby Agionori. The Ottoman army was trapped and slaughtered, losing thousands of men and much of its baggage. Dramali died shortly afterward. The victory secured the Peloponnese for the revolution.