In the center of Myloi stands a bust of one of the most significant figures in Greek history, and this bust is not there without reason. Yannis Makriyannis (1797-1864) was a Greek merchant, military officer, politician, and author, who is primarily known today for his heroic role in the Battle of Myloi. Despite his humble origins, he participated in the Greek struggle for independence, rose to the rank of general, and led his troops to remarkable victories, most notably the successful defence of Nafplio during the Battle of Myloi. After Greek independence, he had a tumultuous public career, playing a prominent role in the establishment of the first constitution of the Kingdom of Greece. However, he was later sentenced to death. His sentence was eventually commuted to life imprisonment and then to ten years, and he was released on 2 September 1854.
Despite his significant contributions to the political life of early Greece, General Makriyannis is primarily remembered for his Memoirs. This work, written in pure Demotic Greek, is not only a source of historical and cultural information from that period but is also considered a "monument of modern Greek literature." Its literary quality was so high that Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis called Makriyannis one of the greatest masters of modern Greek prose.