Antonios Matesis

Antonios Matesis was born in Zakynthos in 1794, and was of aristocratic descent. He was particularly educated for the customs of his time, since he had studied law. He was a close friend to Dionysios Solomos, a devout supporter of his poetry and above all, a supporter of the demotic language (spoken language of this time). He contributed to the National Liberating struggle of the Greeks with all his means. Indeed, he even knew Spyridon Trikoupis, the par excellence historian of the Greek Revolution. He wrote various poems, he translated Ugo Foscolo’s Oi Tafoi (The Graves) from Italian, along with many ancient Greek classical works. His most important work is considered to be the theatrical ethographic play Vasilikos, one of the greatest plays of modern Greek dramaturgy. Vasilikos takes place in Zakynthos of 1712, and presents the life on the island (social classes and their habits) during the 18^th century with great liveliness and satirical attitude. Matesis passed away in Hermoupolis, on the island of Syros, in 1875.