Evzones

The Evzones or Evzonoi (Εύζωνες, Εύζωνοι, ˈevzones, ˈevzoni) were several historical elite light infantry and mountain units of the Greek Army. Today, they are the members of the Presidential Guard (Προεδρική Φρουρά ), a ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Μνημείο του Άγνωστου Στρατιώτη ) and the Presidential Mansion in Athens. An Evzone (Εύζωνας) is also known, colloquially, as a Tsoliás (Τσολιάς; pl. Τσολιάδες, Tsoliádes). Evzones are known for their distinctive uniform, which evolved from the clothes worn by the klephts who fought the Ottoman occupation of Greece. The most visible item of this uniform is the fustanella, a kilt-like garment. Their distinctive dress turned them into a popular image for the Greek soldier, especially among foreigners. The word evzōnos (εὔζωνος) is first attested in Homer's Iliad and derives from εὖ and ζώνη, meaning "well-girt". The word was used by ancient writers for centuries to describe light infantry (better known as psiloi or gymnitai). The term "Evzones" was revived in modern practice as a Greek version of the European-style light infantry (such as the German Jäger, French Chasseurs, or British Riflemen) in 1824 during the Greek War of Independence, when the first attempts to form a regular, European-style army were undertaken by the Greek rebels. The first regular infantry battalion comprised six companies, one of which was designated as an "Evzone Company" (Λόχος Εὐζώνων). The uniform now associated with the Evzones was not used at the time; but a uniform derived from the traditional costume of the fustanella, had already been adopted by the British-sponsored Greek Light Infantry Regiments raised during the Napoleonic Wars. A similar uniform was adopted when Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias reformed the nascent Hellenic Army in 1828 and formed the so-called "Light Battalions" (Ελαφρά Τάγματα)—five from Western Continental Greece and eight from Eastern Continental Greece—in an attempt to instil discipline and gradually regularize the irregular groups ("klephts") that had provided the bulk of the Greek forces during the War of Independence.