Alexios Mavrothalassitis, from the Black Sea region, arrived in Crete in the autumn of 1821. Having gained much experience from his actions in Asia Minor and on Samos, he soon gained a reputation as a skilled fighter and commander. He was mainly active in the Rethymnon area, taking part in the capture of Arkadi Monastery in early 1822, and also in the failed attempt to take the town of Rethymnon planned by Joseph Balestra. For his contribution to the struggle he was awarded the rank of pentakosiarch (commander of 500 men) in April 1822. Shortly afterwards, however, he was murdered by a soldier of the auxiliary forces whom he had severely rebuked for his violent behaviour towards the Christians of the Amari.