BOTZARIS or BOZZARIS, MARCO (c. leader in the war of Greek independence, born at Suli in Albania, was the second son of Kitzo Botzaris, murdered at Arta in 1809 by order of Ali of Iannina. In 1803, after the capture of Suli by Ali Pasha, Marco, with the remnant of the Suliots, crossed over to the Ionian islands, where he ultimately took service in an Albanian regiment in French pay. In 1814 he joined the Greek patriotic society known as the Hetairia Philike, and in 1820, with other Suliots, made common cause with Ali of Iannina against the Ottomans.
On the outbreak of the Greek revolt, he distinguished himself by his courage, tenacity and skill as a partisan leader in the fighting in western Hellas, and was conspicuous in the defence of Missolonghi during the first siege (1822-23). On the night of Aug. 21 1823 he led the celebrated attack at Karpenisi of 35o Suliots upon 4,000 Albanians who formed the vanguard of the army with which Mustai Pasha was advancing to reinforce the besiegers. The rout of the Turks was complete; but Botzaris himself fell. Marco Botzaris's brother Kosta (Constantine) who f ought at Karpenisi and completed the victory, lived to become a general and senator in the Greek Kingdom. Kosta died in Marco's son, Dimitri Botzaris (1813-7o), was three times min ister of war under the kings, Otho and George.