Today, the people of Mani are gathered to mourn the loss of the Morean Republic's five great mastiffs. Wild dogs encountered by the Maniot army on a diplomatic mission to Rome, they pledged allegiance to our Armed Forces and fought nobly in the Battle for Mystras against the Athonite punitive expedition, and once more proved their worth in the pathetic Ottoman invasion of Mani, decimating the ranks of Vilyam Palaiologos, the pretender King ; and showing that they truly were good boys.

Now each one of them has succumbed to old age. They will never again hear the sweet music of a chicken's death cry, or feel Turkish blood trickling down their maw.

Lifelike statues of the dogs have been erected in Mystras' central square, underneath which they will be interred, with pomp appropriate to their exalted position within the Roman Army. And for just one day, the people of Mani will set aside their vendettas and their pirating, in order to gather round and celebrate true heroism.

Νικη η θανατος!