Benizelos family

The Benizelos family (Greek: Μπενιζέλοι) was a Greek aristocratic family from Athens. The family was mentioned in the Venetian sources as among the oldest, richest and most powerful families in Athens during the Ottoman era. Descendants of the family distinguished themselves throughout the period of Ottoman rule as elders (proestoi), notaries and men of letters, teachers and also, played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence of 1821.