Evzones

The Evzones, or Euzones, (Greek: ???????, the Well-Girt) is a name for several historical elite light infantry and mountain battalions and regiments of the Hellenic Army. Today, it refers to the members of the Proedriki Froura, an elite ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Parliament and Presidential Mansion.

History

The first Evzones unit was formed in 1868 as the royal guard (Ευζώνη—Evzone—, literally "Well-Girt," an ancient Greek phrase dating to Homer), and continued its role after the abolition of the Greek monarchy. At their height, the evzones comprised five regiments and were considered the elite of the Hellenic Army. As such, they were frequently used as shock troops. The units suffered horrific casualties in the Balkan and world wars, and were disbanded in 1944 save for the ceremonial guard unit.

Related Topics:
Homer - Greek monarchy - Hellenic Army - 1944

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German "Evzones"

During World War II, the occupying German forces raised Evzones regiments attired in the traditional tsolias costume of the regiments, but reporting to the German authorities. These were widely reviled in colloquial Greek as Germanotsoliades.

Related Topics:
World War II - Tsolia

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