Klephts were Greek bandits or guerrilla fighters who emerged during the late Byzantine period and continued into the Ottoman era. They often operated in mountainous regions, using their knowledge of the terrain to evade capture. Klephts were seen as both outlaws and folk heroes, as they resisted Ottoman rule and defended local communities. These groups played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s. Many klephts became leaders in the fight against the Ottomans, contributing to the eventual establishment of an independent Greece. Their legacy is celebrated in Greek folklore and literature, symbolizing resistance and national pride.