Petros Protopapadakis (Greek: Πέτρος Πρωτοπαπαδάκης; 1856 – 28 November 1922) was a Greek military officer and politician who briefly served as Prime Minister of Greece in the aftermath of the Asia Minor catastrophe.
Early life and military career
- Born in 1856 in the town of Chalcis, Greece.
- Enrolled in the Hellenic Military Academy and pursued a career in the Greek Army, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel.
- Served in various staff and command positions, including assignments related to military reforms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Political involvement
- During the political turmoil following Greece’s defeat in the Greco‑Turkish War (1919–1922), Protopapadakis aligned with the revolutionary officers who demanded accountability for the disaster.
- He became a member of the “Revolutionary Committee” that assumed control after King Constantine I’s abdication in September 1922.
Prime Minister (28 October 1922 – 30 November 1922)
- Appointed Prime Minister on 28 October 1922, leading a caretaker government tasked with stabilising the nation, addressing the refugee crisis, and negotiating peace terms with Turkey.
- His administration was short‑lived; it was primarily focused on the immediate aftermath of the military defeat and internal reforms.
Trial and execution
- In November 1922, the revolutionary government instituted the “Trial of the Six,” charging former senior officials with treason and responsibility for the military catastrophe.
- Protopapadakis was among those tried; he was convicted and executed by firing squad on 28 November 1922, alongside five other former leaders.
Legacy
- Protopapadakis is remembered as a figure associated with the tumultuous period of Greek history marked by the Asia Minor disaster and subsequent political upheaval.
- His brief tenure and subsequent execution illustrate the rapid shifts in Greek political life during the early 1920s.
Note: The information presented reflects established historical records from reputable encyclopedic sources.
