Descendant of a family that had settled in the Habsburg monarchy and returned to Greece after the Greek War of Independence, early in his career he was distinguished as a well-educated and capable officer.

This rendered him a national hero and earned him widespread popularity; he was twice elected Member of the Hellenic Parliament, and served twice as Minister for Military Affairs.

The first important member, Simon Smolenic, became a wealthy merchant and was ennobled by Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire in 1797 as an Imperial Knight with the surname "von Smolik".

Leonidas Smolents reached the rank of major general and served several times as Minister for Military Affairs.

[2] The couple had two sons: Konstantinos and the older Nikolaos Smolenits [el], who also became an army officer and general.

[14] Promoted by special selection to lieutenant colonel on 19 September 1888, he served as prosecutor and president of the 1st Permanent Military Tribunal.

At the outbreak of the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, he was appointed to command the 3rd Brigade, comprising the 7th and 8th infantry regiments, the 6th, 8th, and 9th Evzone Battalions, along with two companies each of engineers, artillery, and cavalry.

[14][15]His conduct in this disastrous war, and especially his successful defence at Velestino, sharply contrasted with the general ineffectiveness of the rest of the military and political leadership.

[8][17] The government decorated him with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Redeemer,[18] and he enjoyed widespread popularity, in marked contrast to the hostility shown to him by palace circles.

[8][11] During this time, he was given the chairmanship of the Revisionary Military Tribunal, and legislation was passed to make him commander-in-chief in case of war.