Metaxas

Metaxas refers to a surname of Greek origin. It is most famously associated with Ioannis Metaxas (1871-1941), a Greek politician and general who served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 1936 to 1941. Metaxas established a dictatorial regime known as the Fourth of August Regime, inspired by authoritarianism and nationalism. His rule emphasized order, national unity, and social hierarchy. Under his leadership, Greece maintained a policy of neutrality at the beginning of World War II, though it was eventually invaded by Italy in October 1940, leading to the Greco-Italian War. Metaxas's defiant "No" to Mussolini's ultimatum is a significant historical event. He died in January 1941, before the Axis occupation of Greece was complete. The Metaxas Line, a series of fortifications built along the Greek-Bulgarian border, was named after him, intended to defend against a potential Bulgarian or German invasion. The surname Metaxas is relatively common in Greece.