KING ALEXANDER OF GREECE BITTEN BY MONKEY
Athens, Greece (JFK+50) On October 2, 1920, King Alexander* of Greece was bitten by a Barbary macaque** while walking his dog on the grounds of Tatoi Palace*** here in Athens.
The monkey was fighting with the King's dog, Fritz, and while trying to come to the dog's aid, the King was bitten by a second macaque.
The deep bite wound became infected and the King died of sepsis on October 25, 1920. Alexander was succeeded by Constantine who led Greece to war with Turkey.
Winston Churchill wrote...
"It is no exaggeration to remark that a quarter of a million persons died of this monkey's bite."
*King Alexander (1893-1920) was born in Athens & reigned as King of Greece from 1917 to 1920. KA was the 2nd son of King Constantine I.
**Barbary macaque, native to the Atlas Mountains of Algeria & Morocco. One of the best known Old World monkey species.
***Tatoi Palace, located 27 km from the center of Athens, Greece, the summer palace & estate of the former Greek Royal Family. The palace was the birthplace of George II.
Barbary Macaque
Photo by Matej Bat'ha
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