In Greece, the flag is referred to as Η Γαλανόλευκη or Η Κυανόλευκη. It is translated as the “Blue and White” and the “Azure and White”. When people gaze at the colors on the flag, they are reminded of the sun, sea, and the whitewashed buildings that shine in the sun. Here’s more information about the Greek flag and how it came to be:

What the Flag Represents

The Greek flag is filled with symbolism, and when people gaze at it, they are immediately transported to Greece. So what does the Greek flag represent? Here’s a look at the symbolism behind the official flag of Greece:

• White Cross. This represents Greece’s strong ties to Orthodox Christianity, which is the religion that the majority of the Greek people adhere to.
• Nine Stripes. The distinct blue and white stripes point to the phrase, “Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος”, which means, “Freedom or Death.” It was a chant used during the Greek War for Independence. Another theory is that it could also be that the stripes represent the Nine Muses of Greek Mythology.
• Blue and White. It is true that gazing at these colors invokes memories of the sky and sea in Greece, that is exactly why they were chosen – to remind people of the contrast between the sky and the sea.

How the Government Describes the Flag

The way the Greek flag looks is determined by the Greek government. However, did you know that the Greek government has not given details about exactly the shade of blue that should be used. As a result, there are actually versions of the flag that wall have a different shade of blue and none of them are wrong.

The following is from “Law 851/1978, Regarding the National Flag, Article 1, Clause 1″:

The National Flag of Greece is cyan and white, it is made up of nine (9) stripes equal in width, of which five (5) are cyan and four (4) are white so that the upper and lower stripes are cyan and the others in between are white.

In order for the flag to be considered an official one, it needs to follow the instructions that are outlined by the government. There are also official rules in place as part of Law 851 that talk about how to properly display the flag. For example, there is a rule in place that states that the flag needs to be displayed on certain official buildings, such as the Greek Parliament building, from 8 AM to sunset of each day. The flag can also be displayed in other situations, such as sporting events and official ceremonies.

Adopting the Greek Flag

Historians aren’t exactly sure exactly where the current Greek flag originated, but there are a few theories. Same believe that it traces back to the Kallergis family that came from Crete. However, no one really knows for sure. Besides that, the flag itself was official adopted pretty late in Greece’s history. Since Greece’s history was somewhat turbulent, the current flag reflects the state of Greece today.

It was officially adopted on December 28, 1978, which was about four years after the Military Junta and during Greece’s official transition into democracy. Prior to that, the country did have a flag but it was unofficial. People would fly a flag that closely resembled the modern flag, so when the time came to adopt a flag, the government embraced the popular choice.

The Greek flag is meaningful and represents Greece as a nation. It is definitely something that invokes feelings of pride!

Source:

Greek Flag History

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Mussolini Makes an Ultimatum

Greece has a very strategic location, which means that who ever occupies it could control much of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding areas. This is especially true of southern islands such as Crete. The strategic position of that island creates an excellent base of operations during war time.

The Axis wanted to set up a presence on Greece to help further its overall war strategy during World War II. Benito Mussolini wanted to give Greece a chance to succumb to occupation peacefully and without fighting, so he issued an ultimatum. He basically said that if Greece doesn’t let the Axis occupy certain strategic parts of Greece otherwise the refusal would be looked at as an act of war.

Metaxas Answers the Ultimate with a “No”

Instead of let the Axis enter Greece without a fight, Metaxas stood his ground and refused to let the Axis Powers enter Greece without a fight. Although Metaxas’ response was translated as, “No” or “Oxi” in Greek, he actually responded to the ultimatum in French by saying, “Alors, c’est la guerre,” which means, “Then it is war.” This launched Greece into war with Italy and ultimately into World War II as a whole. Although we do know that Metaxas’ action propelled Greece into war, the Greek people were largely in support of it and considered it an act of bravery.

Greece Enters the Greco-Italian War

After Metaxas refused to let the Axis occupy some of the most strategic areas in Greece, this move started the Greco-Italian War, which took place during World War II. The war officially began on October 28, 1940, which is the day that Metaxas’ rejected Mussolini’s ultimatum, and lasted until April 23, 1941.

The Italians were driven from Greek soil, which did much to bolster not only the morale of the people of Greece, but of the whole world. They saw the Greek victory as representative of the possibility that the Axis could be defeated. People all over the world marveled at the bravery of the Greeks and it seemed to give the Allies a new sense of confidence that it was possible to defeat the Axis. However, eventually the Axis Powers returned to Greece and the country was occupied by the Germans for a time.

Oxi Day Celebrations Today

Today, Oxi Day always falls on October 28 and celebrations, such as parades, occur throughout Greece. Although this action resulted in entering Greece into World War II, people all over the world admired Greece’s bravery for standing up to the Axis. Also, Greece eventually did succumb to Axis occupation, but Greece’s bravery during key battles, such during the Battle of Crete, inspired the rest of the world. This is the first time a country had stood up to the Axis Powers with any amount of success. It gave the rest of the world hope that the Axis could, in fact, be defeated.

It’s true that the actions of Metaxas concerning Mussolini propelled Greece into a war that eventually led to the Axis Powers occupying Greece. However, it is also true that Metaxas represented a spirit of bravery that is still celebrated by the Greek people today. This was the first tangible moment that the Allies realized that there was a hope to defeat the Axis Powers. Rather than give into the dictator, he stood up for Greece and ultimately did what was right.

Sources:

Wikipedia – Oxi Day

Wikipedia – Greco-Italian War

Wikipedia – Battle of Crete

Wikipedia – Axis Powers

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March 25th is a significant day because it marked the official beginning of the Greek War for Independence, as declared by the rebels and freedom fighters. In 1814, the secret society, the Filiki Eteria was formed with the goal of liberating Greece from Ottoman control. This group had planned the insurrection to take place on March 25th but in some parts of Greece, the fighting occurred sooner.

The end result of this war is that the Greeks did successfully gain their independence. Here’s some more information on the history of how Greece eventually won its freedom.

Tourkokratia – Ottoman Rule in Greece

For hundreds of years, much of Greece belonged to the Ottoman Empire until the 1820’s when much of the country eventually overcame Turkish rule. But, how did they come to Greece in the first place? There were several factors that contributed to occupation and each part of Greece succumbed to occupation at different times.

One of the major factors that led to Ottoman occupation is that the Byzantine Empire, which ruled for roughly 1100 years, was in a severe state of decline. Over the course of their decline, various parts of Greece began to fall to Turkish control. Eventually,  the Ottoman Empire’s push into Greece eventually began when they captured Constantinople in 1453. Once the capital of the Byzantine Empire was taken, it was only a matter of time before the rest of Greece succumbed.

Unrest Develops in Greece

The Ottoman Empire ruled for around four hundred years, and this wasn’t easy for the Greeks. The two cultures were vastly different, and the Greek people looked at this as a period of oppression. Those who were unable to flee Greece and establish new lives in Western Europe suffered. Turkish reign was oppressive for many reasons.

One problem was that they had an apparent disregard for Greece’s glorious past. At one point, they used the Parthenon to store munitions and didn’t treat it as the beautiful, historical landmark it really was. Another problem was that Orthodox Christians weren’t able to express their faith in public. Since most of Greece is Orthodox, this caused a feeling of unease amongst the Greek people.

Those are just two examples of problems that arose between the Turks and the Greeks. Generally, because the Greeks felt oppressed, this caused unrest throughout occupied Greece. There were several resistance movements that formed through the duration of Turkish rule. However, it wasn’t until March 25, 1821 that these movements posed any real threat to the Ottoman Empire.

So what was different about the act of resistance that would eventually lead to Greece’s freedom? Well, there were several factors at play. First, the Greek people were finally tired of Turkish rule, so they organized their resources and formed a resistance movement that was finally successful.

Greece also had help from other countries, particularly the British, with whom it was the fashion to embrace anything from Ancient Greece. They understood that without Greece’s influence, modern intellectual, artistic, and scientific knowledge might not be as advanced as it is today. In the Battle of Navarino, British, Russian, and French forces destroyed an Ottoman fleet. This battle was a major victory which eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Erdine in 1829 which finally established an Independent Greek state.

Though what ensued was a period of uncertainty in Greece, the country was officially independent. Today, cities throughout the world hold parades and display the Greek flag with pride. How will you honor Greek Independence Day this year?

Sources:

Wikipedia – Greek War of Independence

Wikipedia – Ottoman Greece

Encyclopedia Brittanica – Greek Independence Day

Encyclopedia Brittanica – Treaty of Erdine

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While these stories may seem a little strange on the surface, it is important to remember that they were once a beloved part of the Greek culture in the days before Christianity. These stories held both cultural and religious significance.

Here’s a look at some of the most famous stories that Greek Mythology has to offer:

Olympians Defeat the Titans

Most of us know how the main Olympian Gods and Goddesses are. According to most sources, these are Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Athena, Hephaestus, Apollo, Poseidon, Ares, Artemis, Demeter, Dionysius, and Hermes. However, there was a time when this wasn’t the case and it were the Titan gods and goddesses that ruled, that is, until the Olympians defeated them. This is an important story because it shows how the change in power came about.

Turbulent Relationship of Zeus and Hera

More an ongoing theme than it is an individual story, the relationship between Zeus and Hera is a memorable and often turbulent one. Zeus was often unfaithful, and Hera was often jealous. This forms the backbone of many famous stories, such as Hercules and the Twelve Labors and the story of Narcissus and Echo. These are just some examples of the stories that involve this theme, but they are amongst the two most popular.

Prometheus Gives Mankind Fire

Another theme in Greek mythology is that the stories are often used to explain certain phenomena. The story of Prometheus attempts to explain how fire came to be in the world. He saw that mankind was struggling, and he thought that giving humans the gift of fire would make their lives easier. Ultimately, he was punished for this act, but mankind was incredibly grateful! Although we know more about fire during our modern days, the tale still does present an interesting concept!

Origin of the Four Seasons

As the story goes, the four seasons came about because of Demeter. When Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, caught the eye of Hades, Demeter was left heartbroken. Demeter loved her daughter deeply, and she was heartbroken when Hades kidnapped her and took her to the Underworld. Demeter’s grief resulted in an endless winter. Zeus had to intervene and convince Hades to let Persephone spend part of the year with her mother.

Theseus and the Minotaur

Another common theme in Greek mythology are those focused on the heroes. In order to appease the Minotaur, King Minos had to offer human sacrifices. This caused people a lot of heartache, but the king thought this was the only way to keep people safe. When Theseus learned of this, he knew that he could help. He offered himself as one of the sacrifices and ultimately slaughtered the beast.

Pandora’s Box

Most of us have heard the phrase “opening Pandora’s box”. This is one of those stories in Greek mythology that seeks to explain certain things. In this case, the take of Pandora’s box tries to explain why there are bad things that exist in the world. It is said that these things were said to be contained in a single box. Pandora’s curiosity led to her opening the box, which ultimately released these things into the world.

There are a lot of memorable stories in Greek mythology. These are some of the most popular and interesting!

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Here’s a look at the history of the gyro in Greece:

What is a Gyro?

The name “gyro” comes from a Greek word that means “round.” The food is named for the rotisserie that houses the meat. Slabs of meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, or even chicken are seasoned and packed against a special spit. The meat cooks as it rotates and is then thinly sliced to make the popular sandwich. Traditional Greek gyros include slices of meat, tzatziki, chopped onion, chopped tomato, and sometimes even fries. These ingredients are all encased in a round of pita bread.

Although you may find some slight variations, this is largely considered to be the most traditional version. However, the fries are optional. In Athens, there is a version of this sandwich known as “kalamaki.” All the elements of the sandwich are the same except the sliced meat is replaced with souvlaki.

What Are the Origins of the Gyro?

The history of the gyro has actually been debated for years. Food historians believe that the gyro actually arrived in Greece in the early 1920’s as refugees from Asia Minor, mainly from Constantinople (now Istanbul) and Smyrna (now Izmir). Many of these people had  Greek ancestry, and they brought the tradition of the gyro with them. Some legends indicate, however, that the first gyro handlers in Athens were actually of Armenian decent.

It was fairly common for these refugees to open small shops, mainly in Athens, and that helped increase the food’s popularity. As the people of Athens caught on, the dish started spreading to other areas of Greece. Eventually, Greeks who began leaving Greece for other countries, such s the United States, brought the food with them and the tradition continued in countries such as the United States and Canada.

No matter where they came from, it is clear that the gyro is now embraced throughout the world. For example, Americans love the Greek gyro so much they actually celebrate “Gyro Day” each year on September 1st! If you would love to make some of your own gyros, be sure to check out our unique Greek gyro recipes here.

Source:

Gyro – Wikipedia

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The origins of the traditional uniform that the Evzones wear are closely tied to Greek military history. In fact, the term can be traced all the way back to Homer’s time, which indicates that the Evzone soldiers were present in some capacity in Ancient Greece.

Today, the Evzones take on a ceremonial role. One of their main duties is to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. In many ways, their role is a symbolic one and their uniform is the very embodiment of Greece’s military legacy. Here’s more information:

Origin of the Word “Evzone”

The first mention of the word “Evzone” (or back then, the Ancient Greek term was “evzonoi”) can be traced to Ancient Greece. However, back then, the word didn’t refer to a uniform of any kind. The word first appears in Homer’s Iliad and is an adjective that means “well-belted.” Literally, it was a reference to an “elite man” and not necessarily a soldier of any kind.

Now, the word simply refers to the soldiers whose purpose it is to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It can also reference the traditional uniform itself.

Tsolias – Colloquial Word for the Evzone Soldier

Evzone isn’t the only word that is used to describe the soldiers themselves. As a side note, Evzone soldiers are often referred to as Tsolias colloquially. However, the term “Tsolias” is usually reserved for members of Greece’s modern military. Though, these soldiers could take on the ceremonial duties, such as becoming a member of the Presidential Guard. In that case, they would become “Evzones” and would wear the traditional Evzone uniform.

Uniform During Turkish Occupation

The uniform can be found in some form during the time when the Ottomans occupied Greece. However, it is important to note that the uniform was in existence before then. During these four hundred years, the Evzone uniform underwent some changes.

The Klephts, who were the soldiers that fought against Turkish rule during the war, wore the uniform. It was during this time that the foustanella, or kilt, was added to the uniform. In today’s design, the foustanella is said to have four hundred folds, one for each year that the Turks were in Greece. This is also the time when the tsarouchia, or clogs, was added to the uniform.

Bavarian Style Uniform

After the Greek War for Independence concluded, King Otto of Bavaria became King of Greece. Though it lasted for thirty years, his reign was a turbulent one. He was never fully embraced by the Greek people, especially since he and his

wife were considered outsiders.

During this time, even the Evzone’s manner of dress underwent some changes. In 1833, a Bavarian-inspired Evzone uniform was introduced. It featured blue trousers, a tailcoat, and a shako, a type of military helmet. It was changed in 1837 to something that more closely resembles today’s uniform.

The Evzone Uniform of Today

Today’s Evzone uniform is complicated. It has around twelve parts, and each needs to be in place. The Evzones form the Presidential Guard, a prestigious discipline for the soldiers. Their main function is to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but they also march in official parades,as well. Note that there are also some differences depending on which part of Greece the uniform originated.

The uniform is highly symbolic and it can change slightly at different times of the year. In addition to the typical Evzone uniform, they could wear the traditional Cretan Evzone dress and Ponti Evzone uniform. The Cretan design doesn’t include a foustanella, but rather dark blue trousers. The soldiers often wear different uniforms to honor different aspects of Greek military history.

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Here is more information on some of the best inventions that have come from Ancient Greece:

Democracy

Democracy is one of the most memorable and highly revered of all inventions from Ancient Greece. It was developed around 508 B.C. amidst a revolution. The people of the Athenian city-state were tired of being ruled by an elite class. They fought for their rights, and one of the elites, Cleisthenes, heard what the people had to say and developed something new – a government where the citizens would make decisions for themselves, rather than have the ruling class make the decisions for them.

Theater

Attending the theater is an ingrained part of modern society, as well as its offshoot – the cinema. We attend plays written by classic storytellers like Shakespeare, or modern plays and musicals in the best theaters throughout the world. Many people don’t realize that theater has its roots in Ancient Greece! In fact, theater was an integral part of the religion of the Ancient Greeks, and many of the classic mythological stories that we know of were told on the ancient stages.

Vending Machine

These days, we can find vending machines wherever we go. They can dispense just about everything, from drinks and snacks to even electronic devices and other goods. All you need to do is give the machine your money, key in the numbers that correspond to your selection, and the machine will dispense your goods. The first vending machine can be traced to Ancient Greece where it is believed they dispensed holy water at temples.

Steam Engine

Although the modern steam engine is credited to Thomas Savery, a primitive form of the steam engine can actually be traced to Alexandria, which at the time was part of Ancient Greece. Invented by Hero, this engine used steam to make it work, just like its modern-day equivalent, just in a much simpler way. Called the Aeolipile, many believe that his steam engine was actually used as a toy. However, that doesn’t make it any less innovative.

Modern Medicine

Medicine as we know it today wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for the Ancient Greeks. The practice of medicine had been around in some form since man existed. However, it was the Ancient Greeks who elevated it into an art form, and many of the principals that were established from back then are still in place today.

Anchor

Greece is essentially surrounded by water. There are hundreds of islands, and much of the mainland is in close proximity to the sea. With such a maritime presence, it is inevitable that the Greeks were avid seafarers. Boats were used for transportation, trade, and even warfare. The anchor was invented out of necessity because they allowed the boats to stay in place easier than if they were simply tied to something.

Showers

Did you know that modern showers have their roots in Ancient Greece? Bathing rituals were always an important part of Greek culture. Primitive showers in Ancient Greece were actually waterfalls. At the time, aqueducts were used for irrigation. The water was fed into the showers and used as part of community bathing.

As you can see, the Ancient Greeks were innovative, and many of the inventions are still important today.

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Here’s a look at some of the best battles that took place in Ancient Greece:

Battle of Marathon

The Battle of Marathon was a part of the First Persian Invasion where King Darius of Persia attempted to conquer Greece. In this battle, the armies from Marathon and Plaea joined forces to try to fend off the Persians. The battle itself was a victory and it proved to the rest of the world and to the Ancient Greeks that it was possible to defeat the Persian Empire. Not only was this an important battle, but it also formed the basis of the marathon foot races that are so popular today!

Battle of Thermopylae

The legend of the three hundred Spartan soldiers that managed to hold off the Persian Empire before finally succumbing is one of those takes that has been told for thousands of years. The Spartans devised a brilliant battle strategy that involved trapping the Persian Army inside the pass at Thermopylae. Aside from a secret passageway, there was only one way in and one way out. The Spartans almost won the battle, but they were ultimately betrayed by a fellow Greek, who told the Spartans of a secret way through the pass. Though this battle was an outright loss for the Greeks, it set the tone for the Persian’s eventual defeat. Messengers were able to send word to Athens so that they could assemble their navy.

Battle of Salamis

While the Spartans and Persians were fighting hard at Thermopylae, a messenger managed to send word to the Athenians that the Persians had arrived once again in Greece. After the First Persian Invasion, there are those in Athens who knew they would be back. So, the citizens voted to build and fortify a strong navy in order to beat the Persians when they did return. Ten years after they left, the Persians arrived again to try again to invade Greece. After the Persians defeated the Spartans at Thermopylae, the Athenian Navy was ready. They had devised a brilliant and legendary naval battle plan at Salamis. The Athenian Navy won the day, and ultimately this set the stage for the Greeks to win the war. The Persians left and never came back.

Battle of Aegospotami

The Peloponnesian War pitted two powerful Greek city-states, Sparta and Athens, against each other. While the legendary Athenian Navy defeated the Persians, the entire fleet was nearly destroyed during this battle as part of the Peloponnesian War. It is said that around nine ships managed to escape. The loss at this battle was devastating to the Athenians. They were hungry and suffering and rather continue fighting the Spartans any further during the war, they decided to surrender.

Battle of Chaeronea

Phillip of Macedon started the push to conquer Greece. The Battle of Chaeronea is what started this out for him. It was the first decisive battle in what would be a push to defeat all of the city-states and kingdoms of Greece. Eventually, Phillip would gain control of much of Greece before his death. His defeat of the Greeks helped solidify Greece as one, powerful place, rather than a series of self-governed places. Eventually his son, Alexander, would pick up where he left off because he spread Greece’s influence Easter by conquering prominent places like Persia and India.

There were some memorable battles that took place in Ancient Greece. These are some of the most important.

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There were a lot of important plays and playwrights in Ancient Greece that we still know about today. In order to understand how important theater really was to the Greek people, it is a good idea to either read these plays or watch them live. Most of these are still performed today. Here are some of the top Ancient Greek plays to take a look at.

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

This classic tragedy is still read and performed today. In Oedipus Rex, a father leaves his own son, Oedipus, to die in a field. Rather than die, he is taken in by another family and raised. While with this family, Oedipus is told by an Oracle that he will murder his father and sleep with his mother. Despite his best efforts to prevent this from happening, he does both of these things.

Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus

Though Aeschylus wrote two other plays about Prometheus, Prometheus Bound is the most popular and influential. It is important to note that historians believe it unclear if Aeschylus truly wrote it. However, he is given the credit. In it, we follow the tragic life of Prometheus, the Titan who gave fire to mankind. Zeus ultimately punished him for his actions.

Medea by Euripedes

Euripedes is another important playwright from Ancient Greece and one of his best works was Medea. Medea was the wife of Jason, whom we know from the story, Jason and the Argonauts. As the play opens, Jason has just left Media for another woman. He promised to keep her on as a mistress.

However, Medea was unsatisfied with this arrangement and plotted her revenge. Part of the fun of this play is wondering who the villain of the story really was. Was it Jason for leaving her, or Medea for plotting her revenge?

The Persians by Aeschylus

The Ancient Greeks’ struggle with the Persians was on people’s minds for a long time. Sophocles penned his tragedy, The Persians, as a reminder of this time. In it, Sophocles focuses on Xerxes, the Persian Empire’s feared leader, as he finds out about the Persians’ loss at the Battle of Salamis.

Antigone by Sophocles

Antigone is another tragedy written by Sophocles. Here, we focus on Antigone who was the daughter of Oedipus and his mother, Jocasta. Sophocles uses this tale as a way to warn us against our own pride. In this story, Antigone witnesses her brothers fighting for the throne – a conflict that eventually killed one of them.

As you can see, theater was an important part of the Ancient Greek culture. These plays are all excellent examples of tragedies. Each one tells a story that not only has unique and interesting plots, but also teaches a moral lesson. In order to truly understand the Ancient Greeks, reading these plays is essential.

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Have you been fascinated with Ancient Greece? Well, even though that era of history has passed, you can still enjoy some remnants. There is plenty of Ancient Greek history sites still standing today that you can visit. Here is a list of some of the historic sites to visit.

Athens, Greece

Athens is the biggest city in Greece. It is also one of the oldest and is therefore the home to a few major historic sites.

• Parthenon. An ancient temple that was built in 440 BC. It was originally dedicated to the Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. It is still standing today.
• Plaka. One of the most historic neighborhoods in Athens. It is near the Parthenon, so you can easily visit both. Referred to as the “Neighborhood of the Gods”, this section is one of the oldest in all if Athens. The Plaka developed around the ruins of the Agora.
• Acropolis. This is also an ancient historic site that is near the Parthenon. This is the name of the hill where the Parthenon sits.
• Syntagma Square. The major square in Athens, which is also rich in history. Currently, this is where the Parliament building sits. The Greek Parliament Building was at one time the palace to the royalty.
• Agora. This is an historic market in Athens. The Parthenon is known to actually sit on the Agora, and the Plaka neighborhood also overlaps the Agora somewhat since the Plaka was developed out of the Agora.

If you are unable to visit anywhere else in Greece, Athens is a must-see. The Parthenon and the surrounding area are a big part of the culture and history of Ancient Greece that are absolutely worth a visit.

Sounion, Greece

Cape Sounion is known for being the site of the Ancient Temple of Poseidon. It is close to Athens and the taxi ride from wherever you are staying in the city to Sounion won’t be that expensive.  Most taxi drivers will be happy to drive you there for a fixed fee so you can visit the Temple of Poseidon. You can also take public transportation.

This ancient temple overlooks the ocean and seems to be the perfect tribute to the God of the Sea. The Ancient Athenians had a special relationship with Poseidon. Although he lost the competition against Athena when the citizens were trying to decide on their patron god or goddess, Athenians did acknowledge how important the sea was to them, especially when they developed their formidable navy.

Ancient Olympia

Our modern Olympic games are based on the festivities that happened here in ancient times. The games were held every four years and were an opportunity for the city-states to put forth their best athletes so they could complete with one another.

These games were not only a great test of athleticism, they were also looked at as a dedication to the gods and goddesses. You can still visit the grounds today so you can see where the Ancient Olympic Games in Greece took place.

Ancient Ruins at Delphi

In Ancient Greece, Delphi was considered one of the most important cities and the ruins are still standing today. Many of the ruins that are still standing today have been there since the 5th Century BC. In the Archaic Period, Delphi was considered a major political player in Ancient Greece.

There is a temple dedicated to Apollo on Delphi. He had the gift of prophecy but he actively sought an oracle that he could enlist for help in seeing the future. People would flock to the temple to visit the oracle.

In modern Greece, there are several historic sites that are worth a visit. When you visit the country, be sure to visit Athens, Delphi, Olympia, and Sounion. These are four of the major sites in Modern Greece that are rich with ancient history.

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Despite his strength, he was half mortal and he did eventually face his death. His downfall came because he was unlucky in love.

Here’s a look at not only how he died, but also the events that led up to the death of Hercules:

Hercules Killed His First Wife

Hera’s wrath and jealousy essentially caused Hercules to kill not only his first wife, but the two kids he had with them, as well. Hercules actually loved his wife and children and wouldn’t intentionally do anything to harm them. However, Hera hated Hercules so much that she didn’t want to see him experience that amount of happiness. Th goddess caused Hercules to suffer from madness and in a haze, he murdered his wife and kids. He lived with that guilt for a long time.

Hercules Meets His Second Wife

After some time passed, Hercules met the woman who would eventually be his second wife – a woman named Deianira. He spent some time courting her and he eventually won her over. The two made plans to get married and it was his involvement with her that eventually caused his death.

Hercules Kills Nessus the Centaur

In the first version of the story, Hercules and Deianira eventually did get married. However, in order to bring his bride home, she had to cross a river. A centaur by the name of Nessus offered to help her get across. However, instead of being helpful, he actually tried to rape her. Naturally, this didn’t make Hercules happy and he tried to kill the centaur in retaliation. He shot and killed the centaur but before he died, the creature convinced her to take some of his blood to use as a love potion if she should ever need it.

Hercules Dies By Poison

As their marriage progressed, Deianira eventually became jealous of a young maiden whom she thought had captured Hercules interest. She decided that this was the perfect time to use the centaur’s blood to woo Hercules back into her arms. What she didn’t realize is that the centaur’s blood was actually poisonous to Hercules. They both realized far too late what had actually happened. Hercules was in so much agony after he took the potion that he wished he were dead.

Hercules eventually died and after he did, his mortal portion perished. Zeus took his “god” half back to Olympus where he made amends with Hera. Hercules stayed in Mount Olympus from then on and then married Hebe, Hera’s daughter.

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It Began at the Battle of Marathon.

The first marathon actually took place at the Battle of Marathon. The scene of the ancient battle is actually a top tourist destination in Greece, and many avid marathon runners enjoy seeing the grounds because of its ties to their favorite race. The battle itself took place during the legendary Greco-Persian Wars, and if it weren’t for the bravery of one messenger, the results of that war would have been much different.

The outcome of the Battle of Marathon was significant because it showed that the Persian Empire wasn’t as “mighty” as was originally believed. The Persians originally believed that Ancient Greece would be an easy place to conquer. At the time, it was divided into a series of city-states, which, on the surface, made the region look like an easy one to conquer.

Heroics of the Greek Messenger – Pheideppes

However, the Battle of Marathon began to change that. Ultimately, the Greeks were victorious, and it was all because of the heroic acts of the messenger, Pheideppes, that changed the tide of the war. After the Greek army defeated the Persian army, the commander, Miltiades, told his messenger to send word to Athens that the Persians were headed their way.

Pheideppes did as he was told and ran the distance between Marathon and Athens as fast as he possibly could. Even though he was depleted by the journey (which we later realized, he might have actually run longer than the 26 miles), he managed to deliver the message that the Persians were on their way. The Athenians were able to prepare for war, which meant that the Persians completely lost the element of surprise. Athens won that battle, and Ancient Greece went on to win the war.

Unfortunately, Pheideppes life was cut short and he died shortly after he delivered his message, but was hailed as a hero. Of course, this story is considered a legend, and we may actually never know how the events actually transpired.

The Modern Marathon is Born

The first modern marathon race took place at the Athens Olympics in 1896, which was the site of the first modern Olympics. The race itself was added to the list of events to honor the ancient heroics of Pheideppes. However, unlike the first marathoner, the people who participated in the Olympics were able to train for the event.

Today, marathon races are run all over the world. In fact, this is considered one of the most elite races in the world! Marathons draw beginners and experienced runners alike, and each one who completes the race feels a sense of accomplishment. All of this has been made possible because of Ancient Greece!

Sources:  Wikipedia, Brittanica

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They were a time honored tradition, but eventually stopped being held when Greece was occupied by the Romans, who were Christians. Since the Olympics were looked at as a pagan festival, they were thought to go against the Romans’ Christian beliefs.

It would take around 1500 years for the Olympic Games to come into place once again. People throughout the world realized that even though the Olympic Games had their roots in a religious festival, it was about something much greater than that. Individuals such as French historian Pierre de Coubertin lobbied for the Olympics to be held once again, and his efforts led him to be the first chairman of the International Olympics Committee.

Pierre de Coubertin realized that there was a collective consciousness during his time for people to get together and compete. This idea lead to the games beginning once again.

Now, the games take place every four years in both the summer and winter, and the summer and winter games are spaced two years apart. Here are some of the answers to the most common questions asked about the first modern Olympic Games:

When Was the First Modern Olympic Games?

The first Summer Olympics of our modern era took place 1500 years or so after the Roman Emperor, Theodosius I, banned them. Over the course of history, Greece had a period of turbulence and faced various occupations, such as the occupation of the Ottoman Empire in Greece, which finally ended in 1832 because of the Greek War for Independence. This had an impact on the people of modern Greece, and somehow, the idea of resurrecting the Olympic Games was never really part of the conversation.

When Greece finally won their independence from the Turks, they felt a huge sense of relief, but they still needed to build their country again. During this time, they were concerned with finding government, building their economy, and healing from the war. As a result,  it still took some time for the the Olympics to fall back in favor.

Finally, the modern games did come together. The first modern Summer Olympics, referred to as the First Olympiad, occurred from April 6, 1896 to April 15, 1896 and it has been a worldwide tradition ever since.

Where Were the First Modern Olympics Games (1896) Held?

It is interesting to note that the idea of having an Olympic Games once again wasn’t unique to 1896. Other places had replica Olympic Games. The idea came about as early as the 1700’s. However, it would take some time to organize the game into something that the entire world would enjoy. Finally, after decades of trying to get something start, everything came together.

Athens was the host city of the first modern Summer Olympics. The Olympic Committee that was chosen to organize the games considered several choices, but they decided that the most appropriate place to hold them was in Athens. Although the original Ancient Olympics were held in Olympia, Greece, Athens was considered the ideal city because of its size and because of its many resources. Most importantly, the organizers wanted to kick off the modern games by holding them in Greece where the games first originated.

Why Were the Olympic Games Revived in 1896?

In the 1800’s, there were festivals named after the Olympics that were held throughout Europe. Over time, festival organizers got together because their goal was to create a unified games that held to the same ideals as the original Ancient Olympics. They wanted a forum for nations of the world to come together and compete. So, they formed a committee and eventually the 1896 Summer Olympics were born.

The main motivator is that people wanted to relive a part of the former glory that the original games gave the competitors. The gams also brought people together. In ancient times, it brought people together from all over Greece. At the time, Greece wasn’t a cohesive country or empire – it was made up into a series of self-governed kingdoms or city states. Today, they unite people from all over the world.

Which Events Were Present at the First Modern Olympics (1896)?

During these games, there were a total of 280 athletes from a total of 13 nations who competed in a total of 43 events. In the Ancient Olympic Games, popular events such as wrestling, running, chariot racing, and boxing were commonplace at the games. In the modern olympics, some of those original events were still present, such as wresting and running. Other events that were part of the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens were cycling, sailing, shooting, swimming, fencing, and gymnastics. Most of the events that were on the schedule back then are still are still part of the Olympics today.

Now, the game are held every four years. It used to be that the  Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games were held on the same year. Now, they’re actually held two years apart from one another in order to space them out. The Olympic Games have been going on since 1896 and there is both a summer and winter round. They’ve grown considerably since those first games, and now it is widely recognized as being a global sport that all nations aspire to participate in.

Sources:

Wikipedia – Pierre de Coubertin

Wikipedia – International Olympic Committee

Wikipedia – 1896 Summer Olympics

Wikipedia – Ancient Olympic Games

Olympic.org – Athens 1896 Olympics

History.com – First Modern Olympic Games

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Who Really Had the First Coin?

It’s fairly difficult to determine which ancient civilization was the absolute first to use coin money. It is widely acknowledged that the Ancient Greeks, Ancient Chinese, and Ancient Lydians all began using coins around the same time, beginning in the 8th Century BC.  Examples of money were found across all three civilizations, which is a strong indicated that they all started to use them around the same time.

Greek Drachma Started as Long Rods

One thing is for certain – Greeks have been using some form of money in exchange for goods and services since 1100 BC. Back then, however, the drachma wasn’t shaped like coins – it had the form of several long rods and offered a way for people to value their goods and services in a more standardized way. Trading for other goods and services is fairly inconsistent. Once the drachma was invented, it changed the nature of the economics in Greece.

Ancient Greeks Start Using Coin Money

As mentioned above, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Ancient Greeks started using coin money. It is likely that they did so at the same time as other civilizations, such as the Chinese and the Ancient Lydians. In fact, the Lydian Lion, the ancient coin that came from Lydia, is shaped in a similar way to the Greek drachma, which suggests that the two forms of currency somehow influenced each other. Originally, the drachma coin was measured as 1/6 of a standard drachma rod, and offered an easy way to break the drachma up into smaller units.

The System Gets More Sophisticated

Even though the original drachma featured cylindrical rods, the system got a lot more sophisticated over time. The original system, which was entirely based on the value of these rods, eventually fell out of favor. Instead, a sophisticated system of coinage took its place. Here are some of the coins that were eventually available in Ancient Greece:

• Dekadrachm – was the equivalent of 10 Drachma.
• Tetradrachm – was the equivalent of 4 Drachma.
• Didrachm -was the equivalent of 2 Drachma.
• Drachma – was the equivalent of 6 obols.
• Tetrobol – was the equivalent of 4 obols.
• Triobol – was 3 obols, or 1/2 a drachma.
• Diobol – was the equivalent of 2 obols.
• Obol – was the equivalent of 4 tetartemoria, or 1/6 a drachma.
• Tritartemorion – was the equivalent of 3 tetartemoria.
• Hemiobol – was the equivalent of 3 tetartemoria.

The Greeks absolutely may have been the first to use coin money. However, it’s something that is difficult to trace for sure. No matter if they were the first or not, they definitely influenced their neighbors and they were also the first civilization in Europe to use coin money.

Sources:

Wikipedia – Coin Money

Wikipedia – Greek Drachma

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Besides all the positive things that have come out of Ancient Greece, there have also been plenty of wars. The outcome of many of these wars shaped the course of history. Here’s a look at the most memorable conflicts that took place in Ancient Greece:

Peloponnesian War

This lengthy war pitted the two strongest parts of Ancient Greece against each other – Sparta and the city-state of Athens. This war came in waves, and there was also a period of extensive time period of peace between the two major waves. Ultimately, the Sparta won the war, but it wasn’t without costs to both sides. Neither side was the same after the war and never Sparta nor Athens were able to achieve the same level of greatness they achieved before the war.

Persian War

This memorable war had plenty of famous moments. For example, the legendary Spartan 300 that lost their lives in Themopylae took place during the Persian War. During this time, the Persian Empire tried to take over Ancient Greece on two separate occasions, and neither one of them resulted in the Persian’s victory. In both wars – the First Persian Invasion and the Second Persian Invasion, the Greeks fought off the might empire. Eventually, the Persians left and never tried again.

Lamian War

This war, also known as the Hellenic War, pitted the city-state of Athens against the Aetolian Confederacy.  This war basically took place after Alexander the Great, who had conquered most of Greece and beyond when he was alive. After his death, the portions of Greece that he took over, particularly Athens, tried to regain control of their own regions. Athens didn’t achieve its desired result and this war marked the end of the great Hellenistic Period in Greece.

Messenian War

Both Messenian Wars (there were two) played a large part in helping Sparta grow their military. During this war, Sparta and the city-state of Messenia fought a long conflict where Sparta tried to gain control of the region. Their goal was to conquer Messenia and then enslave the population. While they did manage to overcome Messenia, the people mostly fled after the war was over to escape Spartan rule.

Trojan War

Although most of us associate this war as a part of Greek Mythology, there has been some speculation and debate as to whether or not the war actually took place. There are those who believe that the myths that were told about the war had some basis in fact. It was basically assumed that the story of the war was just that – a story. However, when archaeologists uncovered that Troy was a real place, their perspective about the war began to change. Of course, there is still debate as to whether or not archaeologists actually did find Troy. If the war is found to have really existed, it would be considered one of the major conflicts in Ancient Greece.

As you can see, Ancient Greece had some memorable and important wars. It is important to learn about them!

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What the Greek Flag Represents

There is some lore that surrounds the meaning and symbolism behind the flag. The flag is also recognizable and distinct and represents certain aspects of Greek culture and history. The white cross in the upper quadrant of the flag represents Greek Orthodox Christianity, the religion that the majority of people in Greece practice. The nine blue and white stripes represents each syllable in the phrase, “Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος”, which means, “Freedom or Death” in English.

This was an important battle chant during the Greek War for Independence, which eventually led to the Ottoman Empire finally leaving Greece. However, another theory is that the nine stripes represent the nine muses from Greek Mythology. It is possible that the stripes could represent both! The blue and white colors themselves are said to represent the very contrast between the sky and sea of Greece.

Beginning of the Greek Flag

There are a few theories as to how the Greek Flag came about. The distinct elements that we talked about above can all be traced back to past elements of Greek History. For instance, the official flag of the Kallergis Family of Crete looks almost exactly the same as Greece’s flag. Was the Modern Greek Flag adapted because of this particular family? Since there aren’t any known records of exactly how the modern flag was adopted, it’s difficult to know why, exactly, the flag looks the way it does today.

Adopting the Modern Greek Flag

Most people don’t realize that the current Greek flag wasn’t officially adopted until December 22, 1978. Prior to that, the flag has had several designs with a few similarities. Prior to 1978, the flag may or may not have contained the signature stripes and maybe would have only contained the white cross with the blue background. When King Otto from Bavaria was in power, he added his family’s coat of arms to the flag. After he was no longer in power, the flag changed again.

Despite the fact that it was so recent, there doesn’t appear to be much official information as to why that particular design is the one that became the official design. There’s only speculation – but perhaps that’s part of the lore of the flag itself? In a lot of ways, the multiple designs that the Greek flag has had since the Greek War of Independence is a reflection on the changing nature of Modern Greek History.

As you can see, the Greek Flag is a distinct part of the nation. Although the official design wasn’t adopted until 1978, Greece never seemed to be without a flag or some kind.

Sources:

Wikipedia – Flag of Greece

Wikipedia – Eleftheria i Thanatos

Wikipedia – Greek War for Independence

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Here’s a look at some of the fiercest monsters in Greek mythology:

Cerberus

Takes of the Underworld, or Hades, wouldn’t be complete without mention of Cerberus, the multi-headed dog that guarded the underworld. Once someone passes on from the living and goes to the afterlife, they are not allowed to leave. Cerberus’s job was to guard the gate so that people couldn’t leave Hades, but occasionally he needed to guard the entrance against people who tried to enter Hades before it was their time.

Teumessian Fox

Legends tell of a fierce and large fox, known as the Teumessian Fox, that was sent to the Ancient Greek city-state of Thebes in order to ransack it. The stories indicate that one of the gods sent it there in order to punish the city. Some believe that it was Dionysius who sent the fox, but there are other versions of the story that give some of the other gods the credit for sending it.

Echidna

Echidna is a monster that is known for being half human and half snake. She is thought to be the mother of other fierce creatures of Greek Mythology, such as Cerberus, the Sphinx, the Hydra, and Chimera. Her consort and the father of many of these creatures was another monster named Typhon.

Typhon

Typhon is not only known for being the father of many of Greek mythology’s fiercest creatures, but he was also a fearsome beast in his own right. Another humanoid, Typhon is half man and half snack. He is a man from the waist up, but the rest of his body is depicted as being snakelike. Both of his “legs”, for example, were actually coiled snakes.

Sphinx

Like her parents, Typhon and Echidna, the Sphinx is a hybrid creature. In this case, she had the head of a woman and the body of a lion. This creature was a part of Oedipus’s take. He had to solve a riddle correctly in order to travel to the Oracle of Delphi. When Oedipus answered her challenging riddles and was able to gain passage, the Sphinx killed herself.

Hydra

The Hydra was a creature of Greek mythology who had multiple heads. This creature had a lair in Lake Lerna, which was considered to be one of the entrances into Hades. The Hydra was one of the Twelve Labors of Hercules. He was tasked with killing this beast, which he succeeded at doing.

Chimera

The Chimera is a creature that was truly terrifying. This monster had its origins in Lycia, which was a part of Asia Minor. Homer mentioned the Chimera in his Iliad and Odyssey. Hesiod also mentioned this creature. As you can see, this fierce beast had a place in many of the ancient stories.

Greek mythology just wouldn’t be the same without these fierce monsters! They certainly have an important place in the tales.

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The early gods and goddesses had a tendency to represent things of the earth, and one, Gaia, actually represented the earth itself. Here’s a roundup of some of the most interesting early gods and goddesses that are part of Greek mythology:

Aether

Aether was the child of Erebus, the god of darkness and Nyx, the goddess of the night. This goddess was responsible for giving the day “light”. When the sun rose, she would bring light to the earth. It is interesting how she was the daughter of two symbols of darkness.

Gaia

Gaia didn’t just represent the earth, she was actually the personification of the earth. She was thought of as the mother, not only of the gods and goddesses, but the mother of all. Gaia and her partner, Uranus, were responsible for parenting a generation of gods and goddesses, known as the Titans. After the Primordial gods and goddesses were overthrown, Gaia still was looked at favorably in the stories.

Ourea

The Ourea were depicted as several gods, usually shown to be older men. In actuality, these gods were the personification of the nine major mountains in Greece, and were said to represent these mountains. Their names wereAetna, Athos, Helikon, Kithairon, Nysos, Olympus, Oreos, Parnes, and Tmolus. If you notice, some of the mountains in Greece bear these names.

Thalassa

Thalasa is the very personification of the sea itself. In fact, the Greek word for “sea” even today is thalassa. This shows that the sea has been important to the Greek people since ancient times. It is responsible for giving the Greek people food, transportation, and is also seen as something that gives life. Her parents were Aether, the god who represented light and also the air, and Hemera, the goddess who represented the day.

Uranus

Uranus is known as the Father of the Sky. He is the god who represented the sky and the heavens, and the Greek word for sky is actually, “Ouranos,” which is named after him. He was also a highly complex figure in the stories. Eventually, he was overthrown from his kingly position amongst the early gods. Once that happened, this allowed the Titans to take over.

As you can see, there are some interesting early gods and goddesses of Greek mythology that are worth knowing about!

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Officially titled “Ýmnos is tin Eleftherían“ in Greek  and the “Hymn to Liberty” or the “Hymn to Freedom” in English, this song is a reminder of not only how far Greece has come since the Ottoman Empire was officially defeated, but also of the journey that the people took that ultimately led to their freedom. Here’s a look at the history and biographical details of the iconic Greek national anthem:

Written By a Famed Poet

The Greek National Anthem was written by the famed poet, Dionysios Solomos, in 1823. He was born and raised in Zakynthos, but his family were refugees from the island of Crete. As a member of a prominent wealthy family, Dionysios was well educated, which eventually drove him to become a poet. Although he studied abroad in Italy for several years, he eventually penned his poems in his native Greek language.

The Hymn to Liberty wasn’t the only poem he wrote, but it is the most famous. He wrote in a specific style, which is referred to as the Heptanese Style of poetry that originated from the Heptanese School of Literature, or literally the Literature School of the Seven Islands. It is also referred to as the Ionian School. He

Hymn to Liberty is Written

When it came time to write the Hymn to Liberty, he didn’t initially realize that it would become part of the national anthem. his motivator was to create a poem that honored those who fought for Greece’s independence. Once it was written, it was immediately embraced by the people and the first two stanzas eventually became the anthem.

The Greek Revolution began in 1821 and was going on as he began his career as a poet. In addition to being the revolution that finally ended the Ottoman occupation, it served as a source of inspiration for this poem. Solomos wanted to put to words the feelings that he had about the struggles of the Greek people and the inevitability of the win.

Inspiration for a Cause

Once the poem was released to the public, it struck a nerve with the people. In fact, many people interpreted the poem as a battle cry! This is what it means when translated into English:

I recognize you by the fearsome sharpness,

of your sword,

I recognize you by your face

that violently defines the land(i.e. the land’s borders).

From the sacred bones,

of the Hellenes arisen,

and valiant again as you once were,

hail, o hail, Liberty!

The words were a source of inspiration to the people who devoted themselves to the fight. It effectively touches on not only the struggles that the people faced because of the Ottomans, but also of their fight towards victory. The Greek people were tired of being oppressed, and it was time to change all that. Over time, the poem was eventually set to music.

Adopting a National Anthem

This poem, which was set to music by Nikolaos Mantzaros, a composer from Corfu, was first adopted as the Cretan National Anthem in 1864 before they joined Greece. Currently, it is both the national anthem of Greece (adopted in 1865) and the anthem of Cyprus (adapted in 1866). Even though the Cypriot constitution actually makes no mention of an official national anthem, the Hymn to Liberty is still officially considered the Anthem.

Today, the National Anthem is always played during official occasions put forth by the Greek government. It is also played at sporting events and has a prestigious place during the closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games. For the Greek people, it is always a reminder of how far they’ve come since the days of the Ottoman occupation.

Sources:
Wikipedia – Hymn to Liberty
Wikipedia – Dionysios Solomos

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Originated Classical Antiquity

As it turns out, the concept of the evil eye dates back to Classical Antiquity, or the time period that encompassed the Classical Era in Ancient Greece. During this time, the Greek civilization was at its intellectual peak. A common theme in literature at the time was that the eyes were a source of deadly rays that could bring harm to others. Plutarch, the Ancient Greek writer, is one of those who wrote about this concept. The belief in the evil eye tended to spread as Alexander the Great brought the Greek culture to the East.

Differences in Belief

Depending on who you talk to, people have different beliefs concerning the evil eye. Some people believe that it isn’t simply negative emotions that can cause the evil eye to another. Even something simple, such as admiring a newborn baby, could result in the curse. In some parts of Greece, it is believed those with blue or green eyes are particularly able to give the curse to another person, which is a major reason why the evil eye talismans, or the mati symbols, are depicted as a blue eye.

Protecting Against the Greek Evil Eye (Mati)

According to the people who believe in it, there are some things you can do to protect against the Greek evil eye (mati). These talismans are called “apotropaic” in Greece and can refer to anything from the evil eye (mati) pendant to the rituals that are designed to ward it off. For instance, some people recite a special incantation to ward it off, and the exact words are a closely protected secret that only a select few are allowed to know. Other tactics include spitting, as is usually done on a newborn baby, and throwing salt over your shoulder.

In Greece, the Mati pendant actually dates all the way back to the 6th Century B.C in ancient times. The process of casting away the evil eye is called “xematiasma” and is made up of a specific set of rituals. It all starts with the incantation, which is then recited three times. If the person is afflicted with the evil eye, both parties, the person who has it and the healer, will begin to yawn. Aside from that, rituals can differ according to the family, the region, and the situation in which the Greek evil eye (mati) occurred.

The evil eye (mati) is most certainly a part of the Greek culture and learning what you can about it is the way to go!

Source:

Wikipedia – Evil Eye

Wikipedia – Classical Antiquity

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