Ioannis Varvakis (1745-1825); also known as Ivan Andreevich Varvatsi (Greek: ??????? ????????; Russian: ???? ????????? ???????); was a distinguished member of the Russian and Greek communities; national hero; member of the Filiki Eteria and benefactor of the places where he lived. son to Andreas Leontidis and Maria Moros. His mother died during the Chios Massacre in 1822. He spent his entire fortune to equip the ship and to arm it during the Battle of Chesma in July 1770.Without any money in his pocket; Ioannis Varvakis decided to seek an audience with Catherine II of Russia. She was particularly generous giving Varvakis 1;000 golden roubles as a gift and an authorisation for unlimited and duty-free fishery in the Caspian Sea.At Astrakhan to develop a fishery; in northern Caspian Sea his fishery enterprise made him a millionaire. He invented a solution to preserve the freshness of the caviar eggs while being transported by ship. He produced timber boxes; which did not cause alterations in the precious eggs; were absolutely waterproof and thus were maintained in very good condition. Varvakis shipped caviar from Astrakhan to Greece. In 1788; the business of Varvakis employed more than 3;000 workers.MONUMENT TO VARVAKISMARBLE -ARTIST DROSISVIEW FROM THE LEFT- VARVAKIS LOOKS ONTO THE SOUTH [his back to the north]