Panagiotis Benakis

[1] He was skilled in trading and quickly made a huge fortune, coming to own estates with thousands of acres.

Consequently, he soon became one of the leading Greek notables in the Peloponnese, and the Turkish authorities tried to have him on their side.

[2] With his own funds, he equipped a corps of Maniots with which he took part in the Orlov Revolt.

After the rebellion was suppressed, he fled to Naxos island, still occupied by the Russians, while his family was sent to Venetian-held Kythira.

After the conclusion of a peace treaty between the Ottoman Empire and Russia, he endeavoured to meet with Catherine II in person, but did not make it, as he was poisoned at Livorno, possibly by Russian officers who were afraid he would expose their errors during the rebellion.