Solomontas Komninos (Greek: Σολομώντας Κομνηνός, 4 January 1831 - 19 January 1895) was a Greek military commander and pre-eminent leader of the Byzantion Movement against the Ottoman and Russian Empires. Through a series of decisive campaigns he re-established Hellenic control over Istanbul, seized large portions of the Turkish mainland and pushed Greek influence beyond the Balkans.
Born the son of the prominent politician Theofanis Komninos, Solomontas entered the Greek army at 19, serving as a Tagmatarchis (major). Operating predominantly in the Cretan theatre, he and his troops served with distinction during skirmishes and following his defence of Myrtos against a much larger Egyptian force, he was promoted to the rank of Taxiarch (brigadier). Spending the next two years assisting with the securing of Crete, Solomontas continued to rise through the military, upon his recalling to the Greek mainland, he had attained the rank of Ypostrátigos (major general). During the brief peacetime of 1859-1863, Solomontas was instrumental in both the modernisation of the Hellenic army and the growth of the Byzantion Movement, which sought to reinstate king Constantinos and overthrow the Republican government, who they saw as ineffective.
During the brief civil war, Solomontas lead troops into the capital of Athens and seized control. With the Republic floundering, he organised the coronation of Constantinos and immediately set about rallying support for a fullscale war with the Ottomans. Throughout this period, Solomontas was a controversial figure: on the one hand considered a national hero due to his actions on Crete and loyalty to the new king, but also seen as an enemy of democracy and a warmonger. Most notably at a senate meeting in September, 1865, he ordered soldiers to surround the building in order to threaten members into alignment with the Byzantion movement.
Having garnered enough political weight to enact his plans, Solomontas launched a largescale assault against Ottoman positions in Thessaly and Macedonia. Although at first hampered by troops shortages and logistical issues, a string of victories at Domokos, Nikaia and Makrygialos proved the efficacy of his reforms and strategems. He sought alliances with local Macedonian groups and, under advice from his ally and supporter Odysseos Panopoulos, formed the "Hellenic League" in opposition to Ottoman hegemony. However, his often violent suppression of non-Royalist politics drew much ire. Solomontas managed to liberate Thessaloniki by late 1868. Once again, Odysseos co-ordinated the political side of Solomontas's campaign, organising diplomatic missions to the major European powers, gaining military support from Great Britain and the Saxon Republic. Nonetheless, Solomontas insisted upon a "pure Hellenic war" and nearly started a conflict with Saxony during the battle of Kipoi.