AVITABILE, PAOLO CRESCENZO MARTINO (1791-1850), a Neapolitan soldier of fortune who, starting life as a private gunner, succeeded in obtaining high ranks in two widely separated Asiatic armies of Persia and Punjab, was born at Agerola, Naples, Italy, on 25 October 1791. From 1807 onwards he successively served in the local militia and in Napoleon's army. In 1817, he resigned from the army and, roaming about various countries, reached Persia in 1820 and joined the Shāh's army. He attained the rank of colonel and received several decorations.
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