Famous People

Actors

Ancient Period

  • Metrobius
  • Thespis

Modern Period

  • Alberto Eskenazy
  • Alekos Alexandrakis
  • Alexis Minotis
  • Aliki Vougiouklaki
  • Andréas Voutsinas
  • Anna-Maria Papaharalambous
  • Christos Natsios
  • Corinna Tsopei - Miss Universe 1964
  • Cybele
  • Dimitris Horn
  • Dimitris Papamichael
  • Dimitris Poulikakos
  • Ellie Lambeti
  • Georges Corraface
  • Giorgos Konstadinou
  • Irene Papas
  • Irene Papas, actress
  • Jacques Damala
  • Katina Paxinou
  • Keti Papanika
  • Kostas Gousgounis
  • Kostas Sommer
  • Lambros Konstantaras
  • Lavrentis Dianellos
  • Marilita Lambropoulou
  • Melina Mercouri
  • Mimis Fotopoulos
  • Nikos Kourkoulos
  • Nikos Xanthopoulos
  • Olympia Dukakis
  • Panos Mihalopoulos
  • Rena Vlahopoulou
  • Rika Diallina
  • Sapfo Notara
  • Sotiris Moustakas
  • Stelios Mainas
  • Stratos Tzortzoglou
  • Tatiana Papamoschou
  • Thanasis Veggos
  • Thanassis Veggos
  • Thanos Leivaditis
  • Voula Zouboulaki
  • Yannis Bezos
  • Zoe Laskari

Athletes

Ancient Period

  • Astylos of Croton
  • Chionis of Sparta
  • Cynisca
  • Dioxippus, pankration
  • Hydna,, swimmer and, diver
  • Kleitomachos, pankration
  • Leonidas of Rhodes, ancient runner and Olympic winner
  • Milo of Croton, pankration
  • Troilus of Elis

Modern Period

  • A. Tryfiatis-Tripiaris, cyclist
  • Aggeliki Tsiolakoudi, javelin thrower
  • Akis Zikos, football player
  • Alexandros Alexiades, football player
  • Alexandros Karageorgiou, archer
  • Alexandros Khalkokondilis
  • Alexandros Khrisafos, swimmer
  • Alexandros Nikolopoulos, weightlifter
  • Alexandros Pagalis, football player
  • Alexandros Papadimitriou, hammer thrower
  • Alexandros Tatsis, football player
  • Alexandros Theofilakis, shooter
  • Alexandros Tziolis, football player
  • Alexandros Tzorvas, football player
  • Alexios Fetsios, shooter
  • Alketas Panagoulias, football player and manager
  • Anastasía Kelesídou, discus thrower
  • Anastasia Kostaki, basketball player
  • Anastasios Andreou, competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens
  • Anastasios Gousis,, sprinter
  • Anastasios Kyriakos, football player
  • Anastasios Metaxas, shooter
  • Anastasios Pantos, football player
  • Andreas Anastasopoulos, shot putter
  • Andreas Glyniadakis, basketball player
  • Andreas Mouratis, football player
  • Andreas Stamatiadis, football player
  • Angelos Basinas, football player
  • Angelos Charisteas, football player
  • Angelos Fetsis
  • Angelos Messaris, football player
  • Anna Verouli, javelin thrower
  • Antelothanasis, shooter
  • Anton Christoforidis, boxer
  • Antonios Nikopolidis, football player
  • Antonios Papaigannou, gymnast
  • Antonios Pepanos, swimmer
  • Antonis Fotsis, basketball player
  • Antonis Miyiakis, football player
  • Apostolos Nanos, archer
  • Apostolos Nikolaidis, football and, volleyball player
  • Aristidis Akratopoulos,, tennis player
  • Aristidis Konstantinidis, cyclist
  • Aristovoulos Petmezas, gymnast and shooter
  • Aryiro Strataki, heptathlete
  • Athanasia Tsoumeleka race walker
  • Athanasios Kostoulas, football player
  • Athanasios Michalopoulos,, volleyball player
  • Athanasios Skaltsogiannis
  • Athanasios Vouros,, fencer
  • Athina Papayianni, race walker
  • Avraam Papadopoulos, football player
  • Charalambos Xanthos, poker player
  • Charilaos Pappas, football player
  • Chris Tsiprailidis, poker player
  • Christos Bourbos, football player
  • Christos Papanikolaou, pole vaulter
  • Christos Patsatzoglou, football player
  • Constantine II former King of Greece, sailing (Gold Dragon Class) Gold, Rome Olympics, 1960.
  • D. Frangopoulos, tennis player
  • Danai Varveri, free, diver
  • Demetrios Petrokokkinos, tennis player
  • Demis Nikolaidis, football player
  • Dimitrios Deligiannis
  • Dimitrios Drivas, swimmer
  • Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos, football player
  • Dimitrios Golemis
  • Dimitrios Khristopoulos
  • Dimitrios Kokotis,, high jumper
  • Dimitrios Loundras, gymnast
  • Dimitrios Papadopoulos, football player
  • Dimitrios Regas,, sprinter
  • Dimitrios Tomprof
  • Dimitrios Tsiamis, triple jumper
  • Dimitrious Konstantopolous, football player
  • Dimitris Diamantidis, basketball player
  • Dimitris Kitsanelis, football player
  • Dimitris Markos
  • Dimitris Mavrogenidis, football player
  • Dimitris Salpigidis, football player
  • Dimitris Saravakos, football player
  • Dimosthenis Dikoudis, basketball player
  • Dimosthenis Tampakos, gymnast
  • Dinos Kouis, football player
  • Dionisis Chiotis, football player
  • Dionysios Kasdaglis, tennis player
  • Dusan Sakota, basketball player
  • Efstathios Chorophas, swimmer
  • Efstathios Tavlaridis, football player
  • Efstratios Grivas, chess player
  • Efthimios Kouloucheris, football player
  • Efthimios Rentzias, basketball player
  • Ekaterini Koffa, sprinter
  • Ekateríni Thánou, sprinter
  • Ekateríni Vóggoli, discus thrower
  • Eleitherios Papasimeon
  • Eleni Andriola, gymnast
  • Eleni Daniilidou, tennis player
  • Elpida Romantzi, archer
  • Evangelia Psarra, archer
  • Evangelos Damaskos
  • Evangelos Gerakeris
  • Evangelos Nastos, football player
  • Evangelos Rallis, tennis player
  • Faní Halkiá (b. 1979), Olympic champion in women's 400 metre hurdle
  • Fanis Christodoulou, basketball player
  • Fanis Katergiannakis, football player
  • Filipos Darlas, football player
  • Filippos Karvelas, gymnast
  • Flora Redoumi hardler
  • Fotini Vavatsi, archer
  • Fragiskos Alvertis, basketball player
  • G. Karagiannopoulos, shooter
  • George Kalovelonis, tennis player
  • George Patis,, badminton player
  • Georgios Anatolakis, football player
  • Georgios Anninos, swimmer
  • Georgios Aspiotis, cyclist
  • Georgios Balakakis,, fencer
  • Georgios Diamantis, shooter
  • Georgios Gennimatas
  • Georgios Gougoulias, football player
  • Georgios Grigoriou
  • Georgios Iatridis,, fencer
  • Georgios Kalogiannidis, archer
  • Georgios Kolettis, cyclist
  • Georgios Koltsidas, football player
  • Georgios Korakakis, football player
  • Georgios Mitsibonas, football player
  • Georgios Orphanidis, shooter
  • Georgios Papasideris, weightlifter
  • Georgios Paraskevopoulos, cyclist
  • Georgios Roubanis, pole vaulter
  • Georgios Samaras, football player
  • Georgios Saridakis
  • Georgios Skoutarides
  • Georgios Tsitas, wrestler
  • Giannis Ioannidis, basketball player and coach
  • Giannis Skopelitis, football player
  • Giannis Taralidis, football player
  • Giannoulis Fakinos, football player
  • Giorgios Georgiadis, football player
  • Giorgos Donis, football player
  • Giorgos Foiros, football player and manager
  • Giorgos Karagounis, football player
  • Giorgos Koltzos, football player
  • Giorgos Koudas, football player
  • Giorgos Sideris, football player
  • Gregory Kytides, football player
  • Grigorios Georgatos, football player
  • Herodotos Giorgallas (b. 1977), gymnast, took gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games
  • Hristos Banikas, chess player
  • Hristos Karipidis, football player
  • Hristos Meletoglou, triple jumper
  • Hristos Polihroniou, hammer thrower
  • Hrysopiyí Devetzí, triple jumper and long jumper
  • Ian Vouyoukas, basketball player
  • Ieroklis Stoltidis, football player
  • Ilias Kafetzis
  • Ilias Kotsios, football player
  • Ioannis Amanatidis, football player
  • Ioannis Chrysafis, gymnast
  • Ioannis Georgiadis,, fencer
  • Ioannis Kalitzakis, football player
  • Ioannis Kyrastas, football player
  • Ioannis Lavrentis
  • Ioannis Malokinis, swimmer
  • Ioannis Mitropoulos, gymnast
  • Ioannis Persakis
  • Ioannis Phrangoudis, shooter
  • Ioannis Poulos, fencer
  • Ioannis Theodoropoulos
  • Ioannis Theofilakis, shooter
  • Ioannis Vourakis, shooter
  • Ioannis Vrettos
  • Irini Terzoglou, shot putter
  • Jake Tsakalidis, basketball player
  • Joannis Andreou, swimmer
  • Kakhi Kakhiashvili, weightlifter
  • Karakatsanis, shooter
  • Kharilaos Vasilakos
  • Khatzidakis, shooter
  • Khristos Zoumis
  • Kleanthis Vikelides, football player
  • Kleopas Giannou, football player
  • Konstadinos Gatsioudis, javelin thrower
  • Konstantin Spetsiotis
  • Konstantinos Akratopoulos, tennis player
  • Konstantinos Chalkias, football player
  • Konstantinos Karakatsanis
  • Konstantinos Kenteris (b. 1973), Olympic, World and European Champion Sprinter
  • Konstantinos Komninos-Miliotis,, fencer
  • Konstantinos Konstantinou, cyclist
  • Konstantinos Koukodimos, long jumper
  • Konstantinos Loumpoutis, football player
  • Konstantinos Nebegleras, football player
  • Konstantinos Paspatis, tennis player
  • Konstantinos Tsiklitiras
  • Kostas Bantas, football player
  • Kostas Eleftherakis, football player
  • Kostas Katsouranis, football player
  • Kostas Linoxilakis, football player
  • Kostas Negrepontis, football player
  • Kostas Nestoridis, football player
  • Kostas Tsartsaris, basketball player
  • Kostas Vassiliadis, basketball player
  • Lambros Papakostas,, high jumper
  • Lampros Choutos, football player
  • Lazaros Papadopoulos, basketball player
  • Leonidas Kabantais, football player
  • Leonidas Langakis, shooter
  • Leonidas Morakis, shooter
  • Leonidas Pyrgos,, fencer
  • Leonidas Tsiklitiras, gymnast
  • Loúis Tsátoumas, long jumper
  • Loukas Mavrokefalidis, basketball player
  • Loukas Panourgias, football player
  • Loukas Vyntra, football player
  • Manolis Papamakarios, basketball player
  • Marcos Baghdatis (b. 1985) (Half Lebanese, Half Greek-Cypriot), tennis player
  • Marios Kaperonis, boxer
  • Mehmood Ahmed, cricketer
  • Michalis Kakiouzis, basketball player
  • Michalis Kapsis, football player
  • Michalis Klokidis, football player
  • Michalis Konstantinou, football player
  • Mihalis Kasapis, football player
  • Mikhail Paskalides
  • Miltiades Gouskos
  • Miltiades Iatrou, cyclist
  • Miltiadis Sapanis, football player
  • Mimis Domazos, football player
  • Mimis Papaioannou, football player
  • Mimis Pierrakos, football player
  • Minas Alozidis, hurdler
  • Miréla Manjani, javelin thrower
  • Moustakopoulos, shooter
  • N. Kartavas, swimmer
  • Nick Markakis (Half Greek Half German) baseball player
  • Nicolaos Trikupis, shooter
  • Nicolas Rossolimo, chess player
  • Níki Bakogiánni,, high jumper
  • Níki Xánthou, long jumper
  • Nikolaos Aggelakis, football player
  • Nikolaos Andriakopoulos, gymnast
  • Nikolaos Georgantas
  • Nikolaos Levidis, shooter
  • Nikolaos Lyberopoulos, football player
  • Nikolaos Michopoulos, football player
  • Nikolaos Morakis, shooter
  • Nikolaos Siranidis,, diver
  • Nikos Alefantos, football player and manager
  • Nikos Anastopoulos, football player and manager
  • Nikos Barlos, basketball player
  • Nikos Boutzikos, football player
  • Nikos Dabizas, football player
  • Nikos Galis (b. 1957), basketball player
  • Nikos Kaklamanakis, windsurfer
  • Nikos Kostakis, football player
  • Nikos Machlas, football player
  • Nikos Nioplias, football player
  • Nikos Sarganis, football player
  • Nikos Tsiantakis, football player
  • Nikos Zisis, basketball player
  • Ólga Vasdéki triple jumper
  • Panagiotis Fasoulas, basketball player
  • Panagiotis Giannakis, basketball player
  • Panagiotis Lagos, football player
  • Panagiotis Paraskevopoulos
  • Panagiotis Vasilopoulos, basketball player
  • Pantazidis, shooter
  • Pantelis Kafes, football player
  • Pantelis Karasevdas, shooter
  • Paraskeví Tsiamíta, triple jumper
  • Patsouris, shooter
  • Pavlos Pavlidis, shooter
  • Perikles Pierrakos-Mavromichalis,, fencer
  • Periklis Iakovakis, hurdler
  • Peter Costa (b. 1956), poker player
  • Petros Kravaritis, football player
  • Petros Passalis, football player
  • Petros Persakis, gymnast
  • Platis, shooter
  • Prodromos Korkizoglou, decathlete
  • Pyrros Dimas (b. 1971) three-time weightlifting Olympic champion
  • Sanidis, shooter
  • Savvas Kofidis, football player
  • Sofoklis Schortsanitis, basketball player
  • Sotirios Athanasopoulos, gymnast
  • Sotirios Kyrgiakos, football player
  • Sotirios Versis, weightlifter
  • Sotiris Leontiou, football player
  • Sotiris Ninis, football player
  • Spiridon Belokas
  • Spiridon Chasapis, swimmer
  • Spiridon Louis (1873-1940), First modern Olympic Marathon winner
  • Spiridon Stais, shooter
  • Spirídon Vasdékis long jumper
  • Spiros Livathinos, football player and manager
  • Spyros Gogolos, football player
  • Stamatios Masouris
  • Stamatios Nikolopoulos, cyclist
  • Stavros Tziortziopoulos, football player
  • Stefanos Dimitrios
  • Stefanos Kotsolis, football player
  • Stefanos Theodoridis, football player
  • Stelios Giannakopoulos, football player
  • Stelios Manolas, football player
  • Stephanos Christopoulos, wrestler
  • Stiliani Pilatou, long jumper
  • Stylianos Venetidis, football player
  • Takis Fyssas, football player
  • Takis Ikonomopoulos, football player
  • Takis Loukanidis, football player
  • Tasos Mitropoulos, football player
  • Tassos Venetis, football player
  • Telemachos Karakalos, fencer
  • Themistoklis Diakidis, high jumper
  • Theodoros Baev, volleyball player
  • Theodoros Papaloukas (b. 1977), basketball player, Euroleague Final Four MVP in 2006
  • Theodoros Velkos, badminton player
  • Theodoros Zagorakis (b. 1971), footballer
  • Theofanis Gekas, football player
  • Thomas Bimis, diver
  • Thomas Mavros, football player
  • Thomas Xenakis, gymnast
  • Traianos Dellas, football player
  • Tryfon Tzanetis, football player
  • Vaggelis Koutsoures, football player
  • Vaggelis Moras, football player
  • Vasileios Spanoulis, basketball player
  • Vasilios Xydas
  • Vasilis Konstantinou, football player
  • Vasilis Torosidis, football player
  • Vassilios Kotronias, chess player
  • Vassilis Hatzipanagis, football player
  • Vassilis Kikilias, basketball player
  • Vassilis Lakis, football player
  • Vassilis Tsiartas, football player
  • Vavis, shooter
  • Vlasios Maras, gymnast
  • Voula Patoulidou (b. 29 March 1965) 100 metre hurdles in Barcelona in 1992.
  • Yannis Anastasiou, football player
  • Yannis Goumas, football player
  • Yeóryios Theodorídis, sprinter
  • Yiannis Bourousis, basketball player
  • Yiannis Kouros ultramarathon, holds every men's world record from 100 to 1,000 miles, from 200 to 1,600 km, and from 1 to 10 days
  • Yiorgos Kostikos, football player
  • Yourkas Seitaridis, football player
  • Zenon Mikhailidis, shooter
  • Zisis Vryzas, football player
  • Zoi Dimoschaki, swimmer

Entrepreneurs

  • Sir Alec Issigonis, British-Greek creator of the Mini car
  • Aristotle Onassis (1906-1975), shipping magnate
  • Athina Onassis Roussel (b. 1985), grand-daughter of Aristotle Onassis
  • Basil Zaharoff (1849-1936), arms trader and financier
  • Christina Onassis (1950-1988), shipping magnate
  • Constantine M. Los (1871-1962), shipping magnate
  • Sir Eddie Kulukundis, entrepreneur and arts patron
  • George Livanos (1926-1997), shipping magnate
  • John D. Chandris and family, shipping industry, cruises
  • John Latsis (1910-2003), shipping magnate
  • Michael Dertouzos, Internet pioneer
  • Sam Benrubi
  • Socrates Kokkalis (b. 27 May 1938), telecommunications magnate, owner of Olympiacos
  • Spiro Latsis (1947), banking and shipping magnate
  • Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou (born 1967), entrepreneur (born to Cypriot parents)
  • Stavros Niarchos (1908-1996), shipping magnate
  • Yiannis Carras (d.1989), ship-owner, creator of Porto Carras Resort
  • Yiannis Dritsas, Giannis inventor of Frappe
  • Zoe Cruz, co-president of Morgan Stanley

Fashion Designers

  • Bulgari, fashion jewellers of Greek origin
  • James Galanos
  • Jean Desses, fashion designer in the 1940s to 1960s
  • John Varvatos, haute couture - men
  • Nick Verreos
  • Panagiotis Papadopoulos, swimwear designer for Panos Emporio (based in Sweden)
  • Patricia Field
  • Peter Speliopoulos, vice President, DKNY design
  • Sophia Kokosalaki, haute couture, women, designer for the 2004 Summer Olympics

Fashion Models

  • Alex Kavadias
  • Aliki Diplarakou - Miss Europe 1930
  • Anastasia Perraki
  • Anastassia Kourkoulos
  • Anna Nanousi
  • Axia Andreadaki
  • Chrissoula Rodi
  • Christina Lekka - Miss International 1994
  • Chrysanthi Dafla
  • Daniela Eleftheraki
  • Demetres Koutsavlakis
  • Dimitra Saltou
  • Elena Asimakopoulou
  • Evagelia Aravani
  • Evelina Papantoniou
  • Evi Adam
  • Irene Skliva - Miss World 1996
  • Irini Karra
  • Isavella Dara - Miss Europe 1997 and winner of Elite Model Look contest 1995
  • Jenny Hiloudaki
  • Julia Alexandratou
  • Katerina Georgiadou
  • Katerina Kanonidou
  • Katerina Manabi
  • Katerina Michalopoulou - Miss Europe 1991
  • Katerina Stikoudi
  • Katia Margaritoglou
  • Katia Zygouli - winner of Elite Model Look contest 1996
  • Kim Mantzouratou
  • Kleopatra Farri
  • Lena Paparigopoulou
  • Mara Darmousli - winner of Elite Model Look contest 1998
  • Maria Spiridaki
  • Marietta Chrousala
  • Marina Tsintikidou - Miss Europe 1992
  • Marios Lekkas
  • Nikos Papadakis - winner of Manhunt International 1994
  • Olga Kypriotou
  • Olympia Hopsonidou
  • Panayiotis Simopoulos
  • Paraskevas Boubourakas
  • Periklis Kalogeropoulos
  • Sarah Doudouhi
  • Sophia Chrysohoidou
  • Suzi Simpson
  • Valentini Daskaloudi
  • Valia Kakouti
  • Vasia Loi
  • Vaso Kolida
  • Vicky Kaya

Filmmakers

  • Alexander Payne (aka Alexander Papadopoulos)
  • Alexandra Cassavetes
  • Ana Kokkinos- Greek Australian filmmaker
  • Andy Sidaris
  • Dean Tavoularis
  • Elia Kazan
  • George Miller (producer), Greek-Australian director of Mad Max, Babe, Happy Feet
  • George P. Cosmatos
  • Gregory Markopoulos
  • John Cassavetes
  • Kostas Gavras
  • Michael Cacoyannis
  • Milton Katselas
  • Nick Cassavetes
  • Nikos Koundouros
  • Penelope Spheeris
  • Theo Angelopoulos

Military and Political Leaders

Ancient Period

  • Alcibiades (450-404 BC), Athenian general and statesman
  • Alexander the Great, Macedonian king and conqueror
  • Antiochus III, Seleucid Monarch
  • Aristides (530-468 BC), Athenian statesman
  • Cimon, Athenian leader and statesman
  • Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator , Queen of Egypt, from the Hellenistic Ptolemaic Dynasty
  • Demosthenes (384-322 BC), politician and orator
  • Epaminondas, Theban general and statesman
  • Eucratides, ruler of the Bactrian Greeks
  • Leonidas, Spartan king
  • Lycurgus, semi-legendary Spartan lawgiver
  • Lysander, Spartan general and hero during the Peloponnesian War
  • Memnon of Rhodes, Greek mercenary general in Persian army under Darius III
  • Miltiades, Athenian statesman and general
  • Nearchus, Alexander's naval commander
  • Peisistratus, Athenian tyrant
  • Pericles (495-429 BC), Athenian leader and statesman
  • Philip II of Macedon, Macedonian king and father of Alexander the Great
  • Polycrates, Rhodian ruler
  • Ptolemy I, Macedonian general under Alexander the Great, founded a dynasty in Egypt
  • Pyrrhus of Epirus, invaded Italy, became known for victories of dubious value (Pyrrhic)
  • Seleucus I, Macedonian general under Alexander the Great, founded dynasty in Persia
  • Solon, Athenian lawmaker and archon
  • Themistocles, Athenian statesman and admiral
  • Xenophon, mercenary general, led and accounted march from Persia

Medieval Period

  • Alexius I Comnenus (1048-1118), Byzantine Emperor
  • Basil II (963-1025), Emperor, known as the 'Bulgar-slayer'
  • Constantine Lascaris, promoters of the revival of Greek learning in the Italian peninsula
  • Constantine VII, Byzantine Emperor and scholar, 'born in the (Imperial) purple' (Porphyrogenitus)
  • Constantine XI (1405-1453), last Byzantine Emperor
  • Gemistus Pletho, one of the chief pioneers of the revival of learning in Western Europe.
  • Helena, Christian mother of Constantine I
  • Irene, Byzantine Empress, instrumental in the restoration of icons, later sanctified
  • Johannes Bessarion, Bishop and Cardinal
  • John I Tzimisces, (969-76), Byzantine Emperor, soldier
  • Manuel Chrysoloras, one of the pioneers in introducing Greek literature to western Europe.
  • Manuel I Comnenus (1143-80),Byzantine Emperor, was responsible for a distinct revival of Byzantine fortunes until his defeat at Myriokephalon
  • Marcus Musurus, professor of Greek language at the University of Padua.
  • Michael VIII Palaeologus (1159-1182)- Byzantine (before 1261 Nicene) Emperor, recaptured Constantinople from the Franks.
  • Napoleon Bonaparte, descendant of the Kalomeros Family
  • Nicephorus II Phocas (963-9),Byzantine Emperor and general
  • Romanus IV (1068-71), lost the fateful battle of Manzikert
  • Saint Cyril (827-869), Byzantine monk, developed the Glagolitic alphabet
  • Theodora, wife of Justinian I, actress, courtesan, Empress

Ottoman Empire Period

  • Alexandra Mavrokordatou (1605-1683), salonist and intellectual
  • Atik Sinan, architect for Mehmed II and Mustafa III
  • Barbarossa (1473-1518), famous privateer, older brother of Khair ad Din; (Greek mother)
  • İbrahim Ethem Pasha, Greek-born Grand Vizier
  • Khair ad Din (1475-1546), Greek-born Ottoman Turkish Admiral, also known as Barbarossa; (Greek mother)
  • Kosem Sultan
  • Mimar Sinan, architect for Suleyman the Magnificent
  • Pargalı İbrahim Pasha, Suleyman the Magnificent's first appointed Grand Vizier, who left an important landmark on his reign.
  • Zaganos Pasha, prominent military commanders of Mehmet II

Modern Period

Greece

  • Alexander Mavrocordatos
  • Andreas Papandreou (1919-1996), economist, politician, and three-time Prime Minister
  • Constantine Kanaris (1793 or 1795-1877), freedom fighter, politician, and later Prime Minister
  • Dimitris Plapoutas (1786-1864), Greek General in the Greek War of Independence against the rule of the Ottoman Empire and later a Politician
  • Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936), Prime Minister
  • George Andreas Papandreou (1952-), current leader of the PASOK political party and former Foreign Minister of Greece (1999-2004).
  • Georgios Hatzianestis (1863-1922) General
  • Ioannis Metaxas (1871-1941), dictator of Greece before and during the first part of its participation in World War II
  • Karolos Papoulias (1929-), current President of Greece (2005-)
  • Konstantinos Karamanlis (1907-1998), President of Greece and four-time Prime Minister
  • Kostas Karamanlis (1956-), current Prime Minister of Greece and leader of the New Democracy party
  • Kostas Simitis (1936-), former Prime Minister of Greece (1996-2004)
  • Kostis Stephanopoulos (1926-), former President of Greece (1995-2005)
  • Pavlos Kountouriotis (1855-1935), admiral, war hero and later President of Greece
  • Pavlos Melas (1870-1904), hero of Greek Struggle for Macedonia
  • Theodoros Kolokotronis (1770-1843), Greek general in the Greek War of Independence against the rule of the Ottoman Empire

United Kingdom

  • Lord Adonis, British politician
  • Norman St.John-Stevas, British politician
  • Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (b. 1921), husband Queen Elizabeth II, born on the island of Corfu.

United States

  • George Argyros, US ambassador to Spain
  • George Christopher
  • George Gekas, US House of Representatives (PA)
  • George Stephanopoulos, Democrat and journalist
  • George Tenet, CIA Director
  • Jenny Mikakos
  • John Podesta, White House Chief of Staff under Bill Clinton
  • Maria Vamvakinou
  • Michael Dukakis, Democrat presidential candidate
  • Mike Bilirakis, US House of Representatives (FL)
  • Olympia Snowe
  • Paul Spyros Sarbanes
  • Paul Tsongas, Democrat presidential candidate
  • Phil Angelides California State Treasurer's Office
  • Sophie Panopoulos
  • Spiro Agnew, Republican Vice-President
  • Tom C. Korologos, Republican organiser and US ambassador

Musicians

Ancient Period

  • Alypius composer
  • Terpander poet and kitharode

Modern Period

  • Agnes Baltsa (b. 1944), mezzo-soprano
  • Alex Kapranos, frontman of the pop group Franz Ferdinand
  • Alexandre Lagoya, guitarist
  • Alkinoos Ioannidis, singer and composer
  • Anastassios Kalkandis, musician
  • Andreas Lagios, guitarist
  • Angela Dimitriou, singer
  • Anna Vissi, singer
  • Annette Artani, singer
  • Antiochos Evangelatos, composer and conductor
  • Antonios Katinaris, musician
  • Antonis Remos, singer
  • Apollo Papathanasio, singer
  • Apostolos Nikolaidis singer
  • Apostolos Paraskevas, composer and classical guitarist
  • Areti Ketime, musician
  • Argyris Nastopoulos, singer
  • Aris Christofellis, sopranist
  • Bob Katsionis, musician
  • Christos Dantis, singer and musician
  • Christos Govetas, musician
  • Chronis Aidonidis, singer
  • Cleopatra, singer
  • Constantinos Christoforou, represented Cyprus in the Eurovision
  • Costas Andreou, composer and musician
  • Demetres Koutsavlakis, singer
  • Demis Roussos, pop singer, formerly with Vangelis in Aphrodite's Child
  • Despina Vandi, successful pop singer
  • Dimitris Dragatakis, composer
  • Dimitris Mitropoulos, conductor
  • Dimitris Sgouros (b. 1969), pianist
  • Dionysios Demetis, composer
  • Dionysis Savvopoulos, singer, composer and lyricist
  • Eirini Sevastou, singer
  • Eleftheria Arvanitaki, singer
  • Elena Paparizou, winner of Greece's first ever Eurovision victory
  • Elena Souliotis, soprano
  • Eleni Karaindrou, composer
  • Elli Kokkinou, singer
  • Elpida, singer
  • Eva Fampas, guitarist
  • Evridiki, singer
  • Froso Papaharalambous, pop singer, was with Greek pop group Hi-5
  • George Dalaras singer
  • George Kallis, composer
  • George Michael (Georgios Panayiotou) (b. 1963), Greek-British singer
  • George Missikos, singer
  • Georges Moustaki (Greek-French), singer and lyricist
  • Georgios Kasassoglou, musician
  • Giannis Christou, composer
  • Giannis Markopoulos, composer
  • Giannis Poulopoulos, popular singer
  • Gina Bachauer (1913-1976), pianist
  • Giorgos Alkaios, singer
  • Giorgos Mazonakis, singer
  • Giorgos Perris, singer
  • Giorgos Theofanous, composer
  • Grigoris Asikis, singer and lyricist
  • Grigoris Bithikotsis (d. 2005), popular singer and lyricist
  • Gus G, guitarist
  • Haris Alexiou, singer
  • Haris Xanthoudakis, composer
  • Herbert von Karajan (Herbert Karajannis) (1908-1989) (Austrian of Greek origin)
  • Iakovos Kambanelis, poet and lyricist
  • Iakovos Kolanian, guitarist
  • Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001), composer
  • Ioannis Anastassakis, guitarist
  • Iovan Tsaous, musician and composer
  • Irini Merkouri, singer
  • Irini Psyhrami, pop singer, was with Greek pop group Hi-5
  • James Raphael, pianist
  • Kalliopi, singer and lyricist
  • Karasoulos Paraskevas, singer
  • Keti Garbi, famous singer
  • Kostas Exarhakis, musician
  • Kostas Grigoreas, guitarist and composer
  • Kostas Mountakis, musician
  • Kostas Roukounas, singer
  • Kostas Skarvelis, composer
  • Kyriakos Sfetsas, composer
  • Labis Livieratos, singer
  • Lefteris Papadimitriou, composer and performer
  • Lefteris Papadopoulos, poet and lyricist
  • Leo Leandros, musician and composer
  • Leonidas Kavakos (b. 1967), violinist
  • Lia Vissi, singer
  • Lindsay Armaou, singer, was part of the girl band B*Witched (half Greek half Irish)
  • Lisa Andreas, represented Cyprus in the Eurovision 2004
  • Louis Demetrius Alvanis (b. 1960), pianist
  • Loukas Daralas, famous, singer of rebetiko and father of George Dalaras
  • Manolis Kalomiris (1883-1962), composer
  • Manos Hadjidakis (1925-1994) composer
  • Manos Loizos (1937-1982), composer
  • Manto, singer
  • Maria Athanasiadou, singer
  • Maria Callas (1923-1977), soprano
  • Maria Farantouri, singer
  • Maria Yiakoulis
  • Mariana Efstratiou, singer
  • Marianna Zorba singer
  • Marika Ninou, singer
  • Mario Frangoulis, opera singer
  • Marios Tokas, composer of Cypriot origin
  • Markos Vamvakaris (d. 1973, popular composer of rebetiko
  • Marlen Angelidou, pop singer, was with Greek pop group Hi-5
  • Maurice Abravanel, conductor
  • Michalis Genitsaris, singer and composer
  • Michalis Rakintzis, singer
  • Michalis Travlos, composer
  • Mikis Theodorakis (b. 1925), composer
  • Miltiades Caridis, conductor
  • Mirka Yemendzakis, musician
  • Nana Mouskouri, singer
  • Nansy Stergiopoulou, pop singer, was with Greek pop group Hi-5
  • Natassa Theodoridou, singer
  • Nektaria Karantzi, singer
  • Nikolaos Mantzaros, composer
  • Nikolaos Skalkottas (1904-1949), composer
  • Nikolas Asimos, singer and composer
  • Nikos Christodoulou, composer and conductor
  • Nikos Karvelas, composer
  • Nikos Xilouris, singer and composer
  • Nikos Xydakis, pianist and singer
  • Odysseas Dimitriadis (1908-2005), conductor
  • Panayiotis Kokoras, musician and composer
  • Panos Tserpes, singer
  • Paraskevas Karasoulos, poet and lyricist
  • Paschalis Terzis, singer
  • Pavlos Carrer, composer
  • Pavlos Sidiropoulos, musician
  • Peggy Zina singer
  • Peter André, English-born Cypriot-Australian singer
  • Petros Christo, guitarist
  • Prodromos Kathiniotis, singer
  • Rena Kyriakou, pianist
  • Rita Abatzi, musician
  • Sabrina, singer
  • Sadahzinia, musician
  • Sakis Rouvas, pop singer, performed during Closing Ceremony at the 2004 Summer Olympics
  • Sakis Tolis, musician
  • Savvas Ysatis, musician
  • Sevas Hanum, singer
  • Sokratis Malamas, singer and musician
  • Sotiris Kakisis, poet
  • Spyridon Xyndas composer and guitarist
  • Spyros Samaras, composer
  • Stavros Konstantinou, winning Super Idol, the Greek version of Pop Idol
  • Stavros Koujioumtzis (1932-2005), composer and lyricist
  • Stavros Xarhakos, composer
  • Stelios Kazantzidis, singer
  • Stelios Konstantas, singer
  • Stelios Perpiniadis, musician
  • Tasos Bougas, singer
  • Thanassis Papakonstantinou, singer and lyricist
  • Thanos Kalliris, singer
  • Thanos Mikroutsikos (b. 1947), composer
  • Tim Lambesis, singer
  • Tolis Voskopoulos, singer
  • Vangelis (b. 1943), New Age-musician and composer
  • Vasilis Karras, singer
  • Vasilis Papakonstantinou, singer
  • Vassilis Tsitsanis (d. 1984), popular composer
  • Vicky Leandros, singer
  • Vicky Moscholiou, singer
  • Yanni (b. 1954), composer, pianist, keyboardist
  • Yiorgos Batis, musician
  • Yorgos Foudoulis (b. 1964), guitarist and composer

Painters

Ancient Period

  • Aetion (4th century BC)
  • Apelles
  • Berlin Painter
  • Euphronius
  • Exekias
  • Parrhasius
  • Polygnotus
  • Zeuxis

Renaissance

  • Antonio Vassilacchi
  • El Greco (1541-1614), born Domenicos Theotokopoulos

Modern Period

  • Christos Kapralos
  • Constantine Andreou (20th century)
  • Demetrios Farmakopoulos
  • Demetrios Galanis (19th century)
  • Dimitris Mytaras (20th century)
  • Konstantinos Parthenis (20th century)
  • Marie Spartali (19th century)
  • Nicholaos Gysis (19th century)
  • Nikiphoros Lytras (19th century)
  • Nikos Engonopoulos (20th century)
  • Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas (20th century)
  • Nikos Nikolaou (20th century)
  • Theophilos Hatzimihail (19th century)
  • Yannis Tsarouchis (20th century)
  • Yiannis Moralis (20th century)

Philosophers

Ancient Period

  • Anaximander, (c.610-c.546 BC)
  • Anaximenes of Miletus
  • Aristotle (384-322 BC)
  • Athenagoras of Athens, (c. 133-190), early Christian apologist
  • Celsus
  • Democritus (b. 460 BC)
  • Diogenes of Sinope (412-323 BC)
  • Empedocles (490-430 BC)
  • Epictetus, (55-c.135)
  • Epicurus, (341-270 BC)
  • Epimenides
  • Gregory of Nazianzus
  • Gregory of Nyssa
  • Heraclitus
  • Hypatia of Alexandria (d. 415)
  • Irenaeus
  • Leucippus
  • Parmenides
  • Plato (c.427-c.347 BC)
  • Plethon,(c.1355-1452)
  • Plotinus
  • Protagoras
  • Pythagoras (582-496 BC)
  • Socrates (470-399 BC)
  • Thales of Miletus (c.624-547 BC)
  • Theophrastus
  • Xenophanes
  • Zeno of Citium (333-264 BC)
  • Zeno of Elea (c.495-c.430 BC)

Medieval Period

  • Leo VI the Wise
  • Michael Psellos

Modern Period

  • Adamantios Korais
  • Anthimos Gazis
  • Christos Yannaras
  • Cornelius Castoriadis
  • Costas Axelos
  • Ioannis Theodorakopoulos
  • Michail Papageorgiou
  • Nicos Poulantzas
  • Nikos Kazantzakis

Scientists

Ancient Period

  • Archimedes
  • Aristarchus of Samos
  • Aristotle
  • Ctesibius
  • Eratosthenes
  • Euclid
  • Galen
  • Heron of Alexandria
  • Hipparchus
  • Hippocrates
  • Pytheas
  • Strabo
  • Theopompus

Mediaeval Period

  • Anthemius of Tralles, was involved in the construction of the Haghia Sophia
  • Isidore of Miletus, 6th century polymath

Modern Period

  • Apostolos Athanassakis, classicist
  • Athanassios S. Fokas, mathematician, integrable nonlinear partial differential equations
  • Chris Argyris, organisational theorist
  • Christos Papadimitriou, computer scientist
  • Christos Papakyriakopoulos, mathematician
  • Constantin Caratheodory, mathematician (1920s)
  • Demetrios Christodoulou, mathematical physicist
  • Dimitri Kitsikis, historian, poet
  • Dimitri Nanopoulos, quantum physicist
  • Dimitrios Galanos, Sanskrit translator and Indologist
  • Eleni Konsolaki, archaeologist who researched Methana and the Troezen area in 1990
  • Fotis Kafatos, biologist
  • George Constantinides, economist
  • George Papanicolaou, biologist
  • George Vithoulkas, teacher of Homeopathic medicine
  • Georgios Papanikolaou (Doctor, Pap smear inventor)
  • Haridimos Tsoukas, organisational theorist
  • Ioannis Argyris (Mathematician, Finite Element Method)
  • Ioannis Karatzas, Mathematician
  • Jannis Kallinikos, organisational theorist
  • John Iliopoulos, physicist
  • John S. Paraskevopoulos, astronomer
  • Konstantinos Axelos, 1960s situationist
  • Manolis Andronikos (1919 - 1992), archaeologist, discovered the Macedonian tombs in Vergina
  • Michael L Dertouzos, former Director of the M.I.T. Laboratory for Computer Science
  • Nicholaos Varopoulos, mathematician
  • Nicholas Negroponte, author and head of MIT Media Lab
  • Panayiotis Zavos, geneticist
  • Phaedon Avouris, nanotechnologist
  • Spyridon Marinatos, archaeologist
  • Xenophon Zolotas, economist

Sculptors

Ancient Period

  • Agasias
  • Callicrates, relief artist, worked on the Parthenon under the direction of Pheidias
  • Lysippus
  • Myron
  • Pheidias
  • Plato (sculptor)
  • Polyclitus
  • Polyeuctes
  • Praxiteles
  • Scopas

Modern Period

  • Constantin Xenakis
  • Constantine Andreou
  • Jannis Kounellis
  • Lydia Venieri
  • Memos Makris
  • Nikolaos Pavlopoulos
  • Panayiotis Vassilakis
  • Thodoros Papadimitriou

Writers

Ancient Period

  • Aeschylus
  • Alcaeus
  • Alcman
  • Anacreon
  • Apollodorus
  • Apollonius Rhodius
  • Aristophanes
  • Callimachus
  • Cassius Dio
  • Euripides
  • Eusebius of Caesarea
  • Hecataeus
  • Hesiod
  • Homer
  • Longus
  • Marcus Annaeus Lucanus, frequently called Lucan
  • Menander
  • Pausanias
  • Pindar
  • Polycarp
  • Sappho
  • Sophocles
  • Theocritus

Mediaeval Period

  • Anna Comnena
  • Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus
  • Isaac of Nineveh
  • John of Damascus
  • Michael Psellos
  • Procopius
  • Zozimus

Modern Period

  • Alexandros Panagoulis
  • Alexandros Papadiamantis
  • Alexandros Soutsos
  • Alexis Stamatis
  • Andreas Embirikos
  • Andreas Kalvos
  • Angelos Sikelianos
  • Antigone Kefala
  • Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington, journalist and campaigner
  • Aris Alexandrou
  • Athanasios Christopoulos
  • Constantine P. Cavafy
  • Demetris Th. Gotsis
  • Dimitris Lyacos
  • Dimitris P. Kraniotis
  • Dionysios Solomos
  • George Pavlopoulos
  • Giannis Skarimpas
  • Giorgos Seferis
  • Haris Vlavianos
  • Iakovos Kambanelis
  • Iason Athanasiadis
  • Ioannis Psycharis
  • Kostas Karyotakis
  • Kostas Varnalis
  • Kostis Palamas
  • Lefteris Papadopoulos (b.1935), lyricist and journalist
  • M. Karagatsis
  • Manolis Anagnostakis
  • Maria Polydouri
  • Menis Koumantareas
  • Miltos Sachtouris
  • Myrivilis
  • Nanos Valaoritis
  • Napoleon Lapathiotis
  • Nikos Dimou, writer and philosopher
  • Nikos Engonopoulos
  • Nikos Gatsos
  • Nikos Hadjinikolaou (b.1962), television news anchor, journalist
  • Nikos Karouzos
  • Nikos Kavvadias
  • Nikos Kazantzakis
  • Odysseus Elytis
  • Paraskevas Karasoulos
  • Rigas Feraios
  • Sotiris Kakisis
  • Takis Sinopoulos
  • Theodore Stephanides
  • Tzimis Panousis
  • Vassilis Vassilikos
  • Yannis Ritsos