A tsolias was a traditional Greek guerrilla soldier during the 19th century and of the Greek War of Independence. Many tsoliates hid in the moutains and waited to until Ottomans or Greeks who supported the Ottomans came and they would rob them of all their possessions. A tsolias is also identified as a klepht. When Greeks have their independence day parades lots of boy dress up as tsoliates.

Tsolias is also the soldier that serves as the Presidential guard. Although their role is mostly ceremonial, they are usually selected from the Greek special forces, and therefore are skilled fighters too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a mistake here.Tsoliades should be called the Evzones and not the Klepths.Actually the Evzones regiments addopted the traditional costumes (foustanella etc.), so they can be called tsoliades.This article needs remaking

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

the costume is composed from woolen felt vest trimmed with black braid and same fez with tassel the skirt (fustanella) and the shirt are cotton the trousers are elastic cotton black belt and knee bands the shoes [tsarouhia] are not included

[home]