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xmelissaa

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I love watching these types of convos! :) Enjoy and tell me what you think

 
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Although I am enamored with Ancient Greek history, I am slowly getting more and more intrigued by the country's modern history. Thanks for sharing this!
 
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Although I am enamored with Ancient Greek history, I am slowly getting more and more intrigued by the country's modern history. Thanks for sharing this!
I would have to agree with you, especially since the modern history has the most impact on modern Greek culture today
 
I would have to agree with you, especially since the modern history has the most impact on modern Greek culture today
That's an excellent point - the period of time from the Greek War for Independence onward is especially intriguing. Even more interesting is the role ancient history plays in modern Greece!
 
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That's an excellent point - the period of time from the Greek War for Independence onward is especially intriguing. Even more interesting is the role ancient history plays in modern Greece!
So true. That's really when Greece began forming itself as its own country
 
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That's true! Prior to that Greece was grouped regionally.
I wish some of the regional cultures weren't dying out, that's some of my favorite parts of Greek culture
 
I wish some of the regional cultures weren't dying out, that's some of my favorite parts of Greek culture
That's sad to me, that they're dying out. People maybe are moving away from the islands to find work, taking their culture with them?
 
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That's sad to me, that they're dying out. People maybe are moving away from the islands to find work, taking their culture with them?
I think it also has to do with the fact that most of the media comes from Athens so the culture is more uniform in Greece. This is happening in many countries around the world as well. It might also be nationalism. Greece probably wants the country to be more unified so its more powerful
 
I think it also has to do with the fact that most of the media comes from Athens so the culture is more uniform in Greece. This is happening in many countries around the world as well. It might also be nationalism. Greece probably wants the country to be more unified so its more powerful
This is fascinating - there are other countries where a similar unification happened, like in Germany in the 1800's. Each state was its own country at one time. There definitely is strength in numbers, and the unification can also be cultural, as well.
 

Athens and the creation of democracy

I've been thinking about Athens and how it's the birth of democracy. I wondered if other societies had experimented with the concepts or if Athens was unique? Does anyone know? I know that there's been some evidence that other societies experimented with community leadership, but none had a true democracy like what Athens developed.

It was unique in developing a system where a significant portion of its inhabitants could participate directly in decision-making processes. This early form of democracy was largely initiated under the leadership of Cleisthenes in 508/507 BC. His reforms reorganized the population into ten tribes based on their residence rather than lineage, promoting a broader and more inclusive political engagement.

In this Athenian democracy, citizens had the right to attend the Assembly (Ekklesia), where they could speak and vote on legislation and executive decisions. The Council of Five Hundred (Boule), selected by lot for each of the ten tribes, proposed legislation and handled daily affairs. This lottery system for public office sought to prevent power monopolies and encourage civic participation.

I know that this work truly influenced other democratic governments through the world!

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts- I find this stuff interesting.

Story of the Birth of Democracy

I just watched a nice documentary about the birth of democracy in Athens. This is so fascinating! I didn't realize the nuances, only the basics about how it began in Athens. This documentary goes into a lot more detail.

Greek Independence Day History

Greek Independence Day is coming up! I thought I would share a bit that I know about the history. Please chime in with corrections or anything to add!
  1. The Spark of Revolution: Greek Independence Day marks the day in 1821 when the Greeks began their revolt against the Ottoman Empire, a state that had controlled Greece for nearly 400 years. This revolt was influenced by the surge of nationalism throughout Europe and inspired by the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
  2. A Poet’s Declaration: The revolution officially began after Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in Peloponnese, symbolizing the call to arms. However, it was rumored that the war of independence was actually declared a few days earlier by Alexandros Ypsilantis, a Greek national hero, in the Danubian Principalities.
  3. International Support: The Greek fight for independence was not just a local effort; it garnered substantial international support from prominent figures such as Lord Byron from Britain, who notably spent his own money and later died in Greece, contributing to the Greek cause. This international backing was crucial for the morale of the Greek fighters and helped in diplomatic efforts later on.
  4. The Battle of Navarino: A pivotal point in the Greek War of Independence was the Battle of Navarino in 1827, where the combined fleets of Britain, France, and Russia defeated the Ottoman and Egyptian fleets. This naval battle marked a significant turning point that led to the eventual independence of Greece.
  5. Recognition and Autonomy: Greek Independence was formally recognized in 1830 by the Treaty of London. However, full sovereignty and the delineation of the Greek borders were not achieved until later. It allowed the foundation of the modern Greek state, under the governance of King Otto from Bavaria.

Question about Greece during WWI

I am trying to learn more about Greek history. This is a family project! What I am learning about now is Greece's involvement in WWI. From what I've gathered, Greece had a rather complex and interesting stance during World War I, but I'm looking for more in-depth information.

Could anyone here provide insights or point me towards resources that detail:

  1. Greece's political climate leading up to its involvement in WWI.
  2. The significance of the National Schism and how it affected Greece's participation.
  3. Key battles or military campaigns that Greek forces were involved in.
Thanks so much!

Interesting Greek History Topics I Like

The Persian Wars: The wars fought between Greece and the Persian empire in the 5th century BC were some of the most consequential conflicts of ancient times. Learn about the key events, such as the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Thermopylae, and the strategies that allowed the Greeks to repel the Persian invaders.

The Rise of Athens: Arguably the most influential city-state in ancient Greece, Athens was the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the arts. Follow the rise of Athens from a humble village to a powerhouse of trade and culture.

The Peloponnesian War: The decades-long conflict between Athens and Sparta was a turning point in Greek history, leading to the decline of Athens and the rise of Macedon under Philip II and his son Alexander.

The Life of Alexander the Great: The young conqueror who led his armies across the known world, Alexander the Great is one of the most famous and admired figures of ancient history. Learn about his upbringing, his conquests, and his legacy.

The Olympic Games: A tradition that continues to this day, the ancient Olympics were a celebration of sports, culture, and political power. Explore the origins of the games and the events that took place.
Share and discuss Greek history!

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