The 158-stanza epic that became two national anthems

Sport & Games · Published 19 October 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Written during the Greek War of Independence, this massive poem was never intended to be a single anthem. It is a sprawling tribute to freedom, surviving monarchies and political shifts to represent the identity of both Greece and Cyprus.

Composed by Dionysios Solomos in 1823, the 'Hymn to Liberty' was born from the struggle of the Greeks against centuries of Ottoman rule. The poem is vast, consisting of 158 stanzas that recount the hardships of the war, including the Siege of Tripolitsa and the execution of Patriarch Gregory V of Constantinople. While the full work is an extensive narrative of misery and hope, only the first two stanzas were eventually adopted as the official national anthem. The work was printed in Messolonghi just one year after its creation. By October 1824, the Philhellenic Committee had even brought a version to London.

The poem's musical identity was forged in 1828 by the Corfiot composer Nikolaos Mantzaros. He created a complex 24-part choral version dedicated to King Otto, the first King of Greece. Interestingly, the hymn's path to official status was not immediate. During Otto's reign from 1832 to 1862, Greece actually used a different anthem—one based on 'God Save the King' that glorified the monarch himself. In recognition of his impact, King Otto bestowed the Order of the Redeemer's Silver Cross upon Mantzaros. The version often heard in military bands today is an arrangement by Lieutenant Colonel Margarite Kastellis.

The 'Hymn to Liberty' finally became the national and royal anthem of Greece in 1864, following Otto's ouster. It served as the royal anthem during two distinct periods: 1864–1924 and 1935–1973, only ceasing its royal status when the Greek monarchy was abolished. The Council of Ministers decreed the hymn's formal adoption as Cyprus's national anthem in 1966. Today, its instrumental versions are frequently performed at the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games to honor Greece as the birthplace of the Olympics. The hymn also served as the anthem for the short-lived Cretan State. It remains a staple of Olympic tradition, having been played during ceremonies in cities like Sydney, Athens, and Vancouver.

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