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xmelissaa

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As with all Greek territories, Cyprus has undergone many changes of power throughout history, starting from the ancient times. The first change of power came with the Phoenicians followed by the Persian empire. After approximately 200 years of Persian occupation, Alexander the Great took control of Cyprus. Cyprus was then a part of the Byzantine empire, as was all of Greece, until it was occupied by the British Empire, and then the Ottoman Empire (as with all of Greece as well). After Greece and Cyprus became independent from Ottoman rule, Cyprus was then again conquered by the British until it became independent in 1960. As you can see, the history is a long list of changes in power, leaving Cyprus with thousands of years of occupation and control. This is an unfortunate truth, but something that is important that we should be aware of.
 
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The history of Cyprus is really fascinating. Thank you for sharing!
 
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As with all Greek territories, Cyprus has undergone many changes of power throughout history, starting from the ancient times. The first change of power came with the Phoenicians followed by the Persian empire. After approximately 200 years of Persian occupation, Alexander the Great took control of Cyprus. Cyprus was then a part of the Byzantine empire, as was all of Greece, until it was occupied by the British Empire, and then the Ottoman Empire (as with all of Greece as well). After Greece and Cyprus became independent from Ottoman rule, Cyprus was then again conquered by the British until it became independent in 1960. As you can see, the history is a long list of changes in power, leaving Cyprus with thousands of years of occupation and control. This is an unfortunate truth, but something that is important that we should be aware of.
Hi! What towns would you recommend to visit to learn more about Cyprus history? I'm thinking of travelling there:unsure:
 
Hi! What towns would you recommend to visit to learn more about Cyprus history? I'm thinking of travelling there:unsure:
I love history, too, and I was wondering the same thing about Cyprus! I found this link, I am thinking of hitting some of these places - planning a trip to that side of the world for the near future (maybe next year).

 
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Studying the Trojan War - Was it Real?

Did the Trojan War really happen? I am doing a bit of research and wanted to know what you guys thought:

The war is believed to have happened around 1200 BCE, and while there is no concrete evidence to support its occurrence, it is widely accepted as factual.

What is confusing me is how prevalent it is in Greek Mythology. In addition to the gods' involvement in the conflict, various stories and legends were added over time to give the tale more depth and drama. For example, the character of Achilles was said to be invulnerable except for his heel, which led to the phrase "Achilles heel" being used to describe a person's one weakness.

While some scholars once dismissed the Trojan War as pure myth, modern archaeological evidence has suggested that it may have been a real event. Excavations at the ancient site of Troy have revealed evidence of a long period of conflict and destruction, and historians have found similarities between the tale as it is told in ancient texts and what is known about the region's history at the time. While many details of the Trojan War are still shrouded in mystery, it seems increasingly likely that it was not just a legend but a real event that has been passed down through the ages.

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.

Learning about Greek Independence Day

March 25th marks a significant celebration in Greece, but I realize my knowledge on its historical context is quite limited.

From what I understand, this day commemorates the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821, where Greece sought to end several centuries of Ottoman rule. However, I'm eager to learn more about the intricacies of this period, the key figures involved, and how the struggle for independence unfolded over time.

Additionally, I'd be interested in understanding how this day is celebrated across Greece today and whether any particular traditions are tied to it. For example, are there specific ceremonies, parades, or family traditions that uniquely mark this day in Greek culture?


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Learning about the Olympic Games

It's an Olympics year so I thought I would chat a bit about the Olympic Games!

The original Olympic Games, held in Olympia, Greece, were primarily a festival celebrating Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. These games began around 776 BC and featured a range of athletic competitions, from foot races to combat sports like wrestling and boxing. Interestingly, the games were so significant that wars were put on hold, and conflicts paused to allow athletes and spectators to travel safely to Olympia. This ancient tradition of the Olympic Truce or "Ekecheiria" is a testament to the power of sport in fostering peace and unity, a principle that remains at the heart of the Olympics today.

I find it absolutely intriguing how these ancient games laid the groundwork for the modern Olympics, introducing concepts of sportsmanship, excellence, and the idea of bringing people together through the universal language of sport.

Has anyone visited ancient Olympia? Do you guys enjoy watching the Olympic Games?

What did the Ancient Greeks eat?

I am fascinated by the Ancient Greeks. I have a feeling that some of our modern Greek recipes are similar to the ancient ones. Like spoon sweets. It think that seems like something that was developed a long time ago as a way to preserve the fruit harvest.

So, I have been researching this. What did the Ancient Greeks eat? I wanted to share this video because I thought it was interesting.

Share and discuss Greek history!

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