or Mesolonghi (McaoM')'ytov), the chief town of the monarchy of Acarnania and Aetolia, Greece. It is on the N. side of the Gulf of Patras, about 7 m. from the coast; pop., about 8300. The place is notable for the siege which Mavrocordato and Botzaris sustained in 1822 and 1823 against a Turkish army I I,000 strong, and for the more famous defence of 1825-26. Byron died here in 1824, and is commemorated by a cenotaph and a statue.