History of Greece

Prima facie evidence would suggest that the recorded history of Greece covers a period in excess of 3,000 years. Many early relics of Greek civilisation are to be found in the various museums in Athens and Thessaloniki, although there have been a number of findings going back some 5,000 years to the Iron and Stone Ages.

Introducing the Geometric and Archaic Period

This period from the 11th to the 8th century BC is known as the 'Geometric period' because of the geometric designs which were dominant in Greek art at the time. The Geometric period was followed by the 'Archaic era', which covers the 8th to the 5th century BC. This era was of great importance to the ancient Greek cities, particularly Athens and Sparta, which pioneered developments in the years immediately following.

Moving into a Classical Era

The 5th and 4th centuries BC are regarded as the 'Classical years' during which the ancient Greek civilisation was at its mightiest. After a series of successful battles, the Persian attempts to conquer Greece in the years 490-479 BC were finally thwarted and the Greek cities enjoyed a period of peace and tranquility, during which the arts flourished. This was the period when the theatrical tragedies of the poets Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides provided the foundation for classical drama, whilst the writings of Aristophanes introduced satirical comedy. The letters of Socrates and his pupil Plato illustrate the great debates of knowledge and meaning. During this time the monuments of the Acropolis in Athens were built, of which the most important is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, whose construction lasted from 447-432 BC. The Parthenon, gradually fading away and now closed to the public, remains the premier landmark in Athens today. It has been roped off from the public since 1983 when the Parthenon Restoration project commenced, funded by the Greek government and EU funds.

The Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431-404 BC) resulted in the loss of power in towns and states of southern Greece. This gave birth to the ascendancy of Thebes and defeat of Sparta in the northern state of Macedonia, whose King Philip managed to unite all Greeks. Macedonia became the lynchpin in Greek affairs during the 4th century BC. Philip was succeeded by his son Alexander the Great, who set about defeating the Persians and effectively progressing the influence of Greece throughout the Middle East.

Progressing through Hellenistic years

After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, the 'Hellenistic years' were born, during which Greek civilization went through a revitalisation not only in Greece, but also throughout the Middle East where Greek monarchies were installed. However, on-going civil wars reduced Greek powers further and the country was eventually overcome by the Romans in 146 BC.

Moving the seat of the Roman Empire

Constantine the Great transferred the seat of the Roman Empire in 330 AD to a new city named after him, Constantinople. In 395 AD the Roman Empire was divided between the west and the east with Constantinople as its capital. The eastern Roman Empire under the influence of Greek civilisation was gradually hellenised and developed into the Byzantine Empire, retaining language and culture as its hallmarks. The Byzantine Empire came to an abrupt end in 1453 AD with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks. Crete was the last bastion to fall to the Turks, surviving a further 400 years.

Stealing the Marbles

Many relics and artifacts of the Byzantine era can now be seen at the British Museum in London, where you will also find the Parthenon sculptures or 'Elgin Marbles' removed from the Parthenon by the British diplomat Thomas Bruce, seventh Earl of Elgin, in 1806 and transported back to England, after he acquired the sculptures from the Turks to prevent them being crushed for building materials. At the time Lord Elgin was criticised for removing priceless national treasures. After a ten year struggle he persuaded the British government to buy the marbles and place them in the British Museum. The chief pieces by the 5th century BC master Phidias are from the frieze and tympani of the Parthenon. Until the death in 1995 of Melina Mercouri, the film star who became the Greek Minister for Culture, there appeared to be a chance, albeit a slim one, that one day the tablets would be returned to their rightful resting place.

Getting into hot water

In recent years, the Elgin Marbles have become a leading issue in the international debate over restitution of cultural heritage. Concerned about their care and cleaning, the Greek authorities are pressing relentlessly for the homecoming of ta marmara. The dispute now revolves around the unfortunate 'over-cleaning' with chisels and scrapers in 1937-38 arranged by the art dealer Lord Duveen. The somewhat over-zealous rubbing was carried out to fit in with the then notion of positive whiteness. However, as soon as the damage was discovered the work was stopped.

Undergoing the Wars of Independence

Greece remained under Ottoman rule for nearly 400 years until the outbreak of the Greek revolution in 1821 and the ensuing War of Independence which led to the creation of the modem Greek state in 1827.

The Greek War of Independence (1821-33) liberated the city of Athens from the Turks and made it the capital of modem Greece. Previously Nafplion on the Peloponnese with its wonderful Venetian fortress had held the honour of capital city. Athens was largely rebuilt during the reign of King Otto (1832-62) by German architects, notably Eduard Schaubert.

It took well over a century and successive Wars of Independence for the northern states of Greece to overcome foreign rule and rejoin the southern states as a united independent country.