Difference between revisions of "Greece"
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Greece was instrumental in the | Greece was instrumental in the | ||
| − | spread and | + | spread and subsequent growth of [[Christianity]]. The first town of |
| − | (today's) [[Europe]] Paul set foot | + | (today's) [[Europe]] Paul set foot in was [[Philipi]] in Northern Greece |
and the [[Athens]] hill on which he preached is one of the most important | and the [[Athens]] hill on which he preached is one of the most important | ||
landmarks of the town. It is generally accepted that the Greek-speaking | landmarks of the town. It is generally accepted that the Greek-speaking | ||
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The modern Greek state was established in 1830 after the Greek War of | The modern Greek state was established in 1830 after the Greek War of | ||
Independence (1821-1830). Though still holding on to the | Independence (1821-1830). Though still holding on to the | ||
| − | Greek Orthodox traditions that defined Greek culture for centuries, | + | Greek Orthodox traditions that defined Greek culture for centuries, since its independence, Greece has been developing rapidly economically and integrating |
| − | |||
into the Western institutions. It took part in both World Wars on the side | into the Western institutions. It took part in both World Wars on the side | ||
of the Allies and it successfully resisted a | of the Allies and it successfully resisted a | ||
Revision as of 21:18, August 27, 2007
Country located in the Southeastern part of Europe. It is also used as a collective term for the civilizations of that geographic area. It is now a developed country [1], member of the EU and of NATO.
Ancient Greece had a lot of influence on many of today's cultural achievements, like democracy and the art of debating. The ancient Greeks were pagans, believing in their own pantheon of numerous gods.
Greece was instrumental in the spread and subsequent growth of Christianity. The first town of (today's) Europe Paul set foot in was Philipi in Northern Greece and the Athens hill on which he preached is one of the most important landmarks of the town. It is generally accepted that the Greek-speaking part of the Roman Empire was the first one to abandon paganism [2] and certainly, Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor moved his capital to Constantinople in the Greek East. Most of the great Church Fathers were either Greek or primarily active in the Greek-speaking areas of the Empire [3]
The Byzantine Empire, as it was late called, was a continuation of the (Eastern) Roman Empire, but it was gradually identified with the Greek national conscience and the Greek-Orthodox Church. [4] The Byzantine State was dissolved after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. The Greeks, along with the other Orthodox subjects of the Ottoman Empire, were represented by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Greek-Orthodox Patriarch was responsible for the obedience of the Orthodox subjects to the Sultan.
The modern Greek state was established in 1830 after the Greek War of Independence (1821-1830). Though still holding on to the Greek Orthodox traditions that defined Greek culture for centuries, since its independence, Greece has been developing rapidly economically and integrating into the Western institutions. It took part in both World Wars on the side of the Allies and it successfully resisted a Communist take-over during the Greek Civil War (1945-1949). Greece is now an EU and NATO member and its currency is the Euro [5]
References
- ↑ http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1127.html
- ↑ Renaissance and Reformation: The Intellectual Genesis, by A. Levi Yale University Press (2004)
- ↑ The Teachings of the Church Fathers, by John Randolph Willis, Ignatius Press (2002)
- ↑ History of the Byzantine State, by G. Ostrogorski, Rutgers University Press (1986)
- ↑ https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gr.html