GENERAL INFORMATION ON GREECE
History
| Greece – From Alexander to the E.U. |
The fourth century BC saw many wart in Athens, Sparta and other Greek city-states. It was the northern state of Macedonia that became the most powerful in Greece, under its king, Phillip II. When Phillip was assassinated in 336 BC, his 20 year-old son Alexander became King of Macedonia. He united all the Greeks, conquered Persia and Asia Minor, and went as far as Afghanistan and India.Alexander’s huge empire established new cities such as Alexandria in Egypt.It spread Greek culture and language over three continents: Europe, Africa and Asia.Alexander died of a fever at the age of 33.
The Romans conquered Greece, but were strongly influenced by Greek culture. In 395 AD, the Roman Empire was split into two parts. The eastern, Greek-speaking part became the Byzantine Empire.Its capital was Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was founded in 330 AD by the Emperor Constantine. It was here that Greek Christianity developed. Constantinople became the largest and most important city in Christian Europe during mediaeval times.
In 1453, the Turks attacked and conquered Constantinople, and then the rest of the Byzantine Empire. The Turkish Ottoman Empire occupied Greece for about 400 years. Two important things enabled Greek culture to continue during this time.The first of these was the Greek Orthodox religion – Greeks continued to speak Greek. Secret schools were set up to teach children Greek religion and language, away from the Ottoman rulers. By the 18th century, the Greeks were becoming more organized in their wish for independence form the Turks. Groups of rebel fighters were joined by Europeans (including Lord Byron from England) who believed that Greece should be free. In 1821 the Revolution began. Heroes and Heroines such as Theodoros Kolokotronis and Lascarina Bouboulina fought the Turks on land and sea.By 1830, Greece had become an independent state.
Greek Independence Day is March 25, and commemorates the start of the Greek War of independence in 1821. It is Greece’s National Day and is celebrated every year with street parades and a public holiday. The new Greece began as a republic with a governor – Ionanis Capodistrias. Then, in 1832, a monarchy was set up, and the 17 year-old Prince Otto of Bavaria was make King.
During the Second World War, Greece fought against fascism and Nazism alongside the Allies. After a brave resistance, the country was liberated from Hitler’s occupation on 12 October 1944. A civil war (1946-49) brought more devastation to the country. After the collapse of a seven-year military dictatorship (1967-74), the Greek people had a referendum. They voted in favour of a Presidential Republic and against the monarchy.Greece has been a member of the European Union since 1981.
Important dates in History
- 3000 BC Aegean civilization
- 1450 BC Minoan civilization ends
- 800-600 BC City state develop
- 776 BC First Olympic Games
- 400's BC Golden Age of Athens
- 300's BC Macedonian Empire and Alexander the Great
- 146 BC Romans conquer Greece
- AD 395-1453 Byzantine Empire
- 1453 - 1821 Greece under Ottoman rule
- 1821 - 1828 Greek War of Independence
- 1830 Greece becomes an independent state
- 1940 Greece fights in World War II with Allies
- 1981 Greece joins the EU
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