The poem "Porphyra" begins to occupy Solomos probably immediately after the relevant incident (19.7.1847). On that day, around 7 p.m., a porphyra (as they called the shark in Corfu) attacked an English soldier who was swimming near the dock of Mandrakina. The "Newspaper of the Ionian Islands" of July 24th writes: "A sea monster of gigantic size suddenly attacked a soldier of the 36th regiment, who was swimming with some other companions...

After seizing his thigh with its teeth, the shark sank to devour it, leaving the surface of the sea stained with blood." The issue of July 31st informs that the body was found, transported to the fortress, and buried in the cemetery. The soldiers followed the procession. The unfortunate young man was missing "his right arm". Solomos will remember this in the relevant Italian sketch, while deliberately omitting the mention of the other swimmers. [...]