What are Greek Evzones?

What are Greek Evzones?

The Greek Presidential Guard or Evzones are a group of elite Greek soldiers who are trained to perform various ceremonial duties. They stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Palace and also raise and lower the flag at the Acropolis every Sunday.

How tall do Evzones have to be?

1.87 metres
The Evzones, colloquially called tsoliades, are usually selected from the Greek special army forces and must also meet the height requirement set at 1.87 metres (6.1 feet). The history of this special unit stretches over more than a century.

What do the Evzones wear?

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.

Why do Greeks have pom poms on their shoes?

Greeks in rural and mountainous areas used to wear tsarouchia until as late as the 1960s. They were worn by farmers because they were robust, powerful and long-lasting. As for the tassel, it would protect the toes from the snow and cold.

What are Greek soldiers called?

Hoplites (HOP-lytes) (Ancient Greek: ὁπλίτης) were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers made up the bulk of ancient Greek armies. In the 8th or 7th century BC, Greek armies adopted the phalanx formation.

Why did Greek soldiers wear skirts?

More than a fashion statement, this form of dress was designed to show a man’s strength and prowess, much like a kilt. In a way, the fustanella epitomized the mixed heritage of modern Greece, with Albanian, Ottoman, and Classic influences, and was declared to be Greek at a time when a national costume was needed.

Who are the Evzones what do they do and what do they wear?

The Evzone Uniform of Today It has around twelve parts, and each needs to be in place. The Evzones form the Presidential Guard, a prestigious discipline for the soldiers. Their main function is to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but they also march in official parades,as well.

What are Greek shoes called?

A tsarouchi (Greek: τσαρούχι; plural: τσαρούχια; from Turkish çarık) is a type of shoe, which is typically known nowadays as part of the traditional uniform worn by the Evzones of the Greek Presidential Guard.

What is a Spartan skirt called?

Pteruges formed a defensive skirt of leather or multi-layered fabric (linen) strips or lappets worn dependant from the waists of Roman and Greek cuirasses of warriors and soldiers, defending the hips and thighs.