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[[Image:Petrobey.jpg|thumb|250px|Petrobey Mavromichalis]]
'''Petros Mavromichalis''' ([[1765]]-[[1848]]) ([[Greek Language|Gk]]. '''Πέτρος Μαυρομιχάλης'''), better known as '''Petrobey''' (Πετρόμπεης),  was the leader of the [[Mani|Maniot]] people during the first half of the 19th century.

Mavromichalis' family had a long history of fighting against the Turks (who at that time occupied the rest of [[Greece]]). His grandfather [[Georgakis Mavromichalis|Georgakis]] and his father [[Pierros Mavromichalis|Pierros]] were among the leaders of the [[Orlov Revolt]]. 

The revolt was followed by a period of infighting between the leaders of the [[Mani]]; soon, young Petros gained a strong reputation for mediating the disputes and reuniting the warring families. During that period he also made an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte of France, who was fighting in Egypt; Napoleon was to strike the Ottoman Empire in coordination with a Greek revolt. Napoleon's failure in Egypt doomed that plan. 

By [[1814]] the reorganized Maniots again became a threat to the Turks, and the sultan offered a number of concessions to Mavromichalis, including his being named [[Bey]],  or ''Chieftain'', of the Mani - in effect formalizing the de-facto status of autonomy the region had maintained for years. Still, Petrobey continued to organize the Greek capetanei (commanders) of [[Morea]] for the revolution that was soon to come. In [[1818]] he became a member of [[Filiki Eteria]], and in [[1819]] he brokered a formal pact among the major capetanei families. 

On [[March 17]], [[1821]], Petrobey raised his war flag in [[Areopolis]], effectively signalling the start of the Greek [[War of Independence]]. His troops marched into [[Kalamata]], and liberated the city on [[March 23]].

After the summer of [[1822]], Petrobey retired from battle, leaving the leadership of his troops to his sons (two of whom were killed fighting). He continued to act as a mediator whenever disputes arose among the capetanei, and acted as the leader of the [[Messinian Senate]], a council of prominent revolutionary leaders. He also tried to seek support from the West by sending a number of letters to leaders and [[Philhellenism|philhellenes]] in Europe and the United States. 

After the revolution, Petrobey became a member of the first Greek Senate, under the leadership of [[Ioannis Kapodistrias]]. The two men soon clashed as a result of Kapodistrians insistence of establishing a regional administration based on political appointees, replacing the traditional system of family loyalties. Petros' brother [[Tzanis Mavromichalis|Tzanis]] led a revolt against the appointed governor of [[Lakonia]]; the two brothers were invited to meet Kapodistrias and negotiate a solution but, when they showed up, they were arrested. From his prison cell, Petros tried to negotiate a settlement with Kapodistrias; the latter refused. The crisis was then settled by more traditional means: Petros' brother [[Konstantinos Mavromichalis|Konstantinos]] murdered Kapodistrias on [[September 27]]th, [[1831]]. Petros publicly disapproved of the murder.

Kapodistrias was followed by [[King Otto]], whose attitude towards the Capetanei was much friendlier. Petros became vice-president of the state council, and later a senator. He died in Athens on [[January 17]], [[1848]], and was buried with the highest honors.

[[Category:Greek War of Independence|Mavromichalis, Petrobey]]
[[Category:1765 births|Mavromichalis, Petrobey]]
[[Category:1848 deaths|Mavromichalis, Petrobey]]