BOZ ZARIS, MARCOS, a Greek patriot who distinguished himself in the early part of the modern war of independence, was b. at Suli, in the mountains of Epirus, towards the close of the 18th century, Ilis youth was spent am:d the din of arms. In 1803, he was forced to retreat to the Ionian isles by Ali Pasha (q.v.), who, in a series of bloody combats, had nearly exterminated the Suliotes. In two events occurred which called forth his patriotic energies: Hypsilanti summoned the Greeks to insurrection, and war broke out between Ali Pasha and the sultan. On learning the news, B. put himself at the head of some 800 expatriated Suliotes, and passed over into Epirus. Ali. who dexterously endeavored to identify his cause with that of the Greeks, soon found means to secure B.'s services against their connnon enemy, the sultan. B. obtained several victories, and on the death of Ali at tho taking of Janina hi 18'22, he continued the war successfully against Khurshid Pasha. the Turkish general. Shortly after, prince Mavrocordato landed at Mesolonglii, with a body of disciplined troops, and being joined by 13.,he engaged the Turks at Petta, on the 16th of .July, 1822. Through treachery the
Greeks were overpowered, their best soldiers perished. and B.. along with Mavrocordato, was compelled to retire to Mesolonglii. This place he skillfully defended against the Turks, until a Ilvdriote fleet forced them to retire. In the summer of 1823, a Tureo• Albanian army of 20,000 men, under the command of the Pasha of Scodra, descended from the n. of Epirus. B., who knew that the fortifications of Mesolonghi were too weak to withstand an assault, determined to surprise his enemies by a sudden blew. Ile advanced swiftly at the head of 1200 men, and on the 20th of August reached Kerpenisi, where the van of the Turco-Albanian arniy, 4000 strong, was encamped. At night, the Suliotes burst in upon their startled foes, who wero routed with great slaughter. The victors captured their camp, standards, and a vast quantity of baggage. This triumph was saddened by the loss of the heroic B., who fell while leading on his inert to the final attack. Ills body was solemnly interred at 3lesolonghi, and he was honored with the title of the "Leonidas of Modern Greece."