Nikolaos Plastiras (November 4, 1883 – July 26, 1953) is a Greek general and politician, who serves thrice as Prime Minister of Greece.

A distinguished soldier known for his personal bravery, he becomes famous as "The Black Rider" during the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, where he commands the 5/42 Evzone Regiment.

After the Greek defeat in the war, along with other Venizelist officers he launches the 11 September 1922 Revolution that deposes King Constantine I of Greece and his government.

The military-led government rules until January 1924, when power is handed over to an elected National Assembly, which later declares the Second Hellenic Republic.

In the interwar period, Plastiras remains a devoted Venizelist and republican.

Trying to avert the rise of the royalist People's Party and the restoration of the monarchy, he leads two coup attempts in 1933 and 1935, both of which fail, forcing him to exile in France.

During the Axis Occupation of Greece in the Second World War he is the nominal leader of the EDES resistance group, although he remains in exile in Marseilles.

After the occupation, he returns to Greece and serves as a centrist Prime Minister three times, often in coalition with the Liberal Party.

In his last two governments, he tries to heal the rift caused in Greek society by the Greek Civil War, but is unsuccessful.