Want to know more about the History of Greece? The following article should provide you with a good overview.
Historically, Greece was one of the first civilizations in Europe and was and still is, home to the classic Greek Myths.
The Minoans was one of the earliest civilizations historically to emerge in Bronze age Greece when they flourished from 2600BC until 1450 BC. This period in history was followed by the Mycenaean period in Greece which drew on aspects of the Minoan era whose culture, was characterized by a matrilinear society and Goddess worship.
A social infrastructure developed throughout mainland Greece and the islands of Greece and, in order to repel the threat from Persia in the East, they united under Athens and Sparta.
This historical period in Greece was followed by the Classical Era which came to an end with internal conflict between the Spartans and the Athenians, historically known as the Peloponnesian War.
Following this unsettled period in the history the people of Greece became united under Alexander the Great who led victorious campaigns throughout the world, even as far as Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Many ambitious people in Greece emigrated to far off lands claimed by Alexander the Great.
After his death in 323 BC the Hellenistic Era in the history of Greece emerged towards the end of which the Romans annexed the Greek peninsula and its islands in 146 BC. Although Roman rule in Greece did not destroy the Hellenistic culture and society until the advent of Christianity, it did mark the end of political independence in Greece. Greek culture however, continued to be a powerful influence throughout the Roman Empire.
When the Roman Empire separated into two, the Eastern Roman Empire also known as the Byzantine Empire remained essentially Greek in nature and encompassed Greece itself. During the Byzantine Empire Greece saw some turmoil but managed to cultivate and institutionalize invading armies into the Hellenistic culture. By the late 8th Century settlers were brought to Greece from Sicily and Asia Minor.
The 11th and 12th Centuries in Greek history was said to be the Golden Age of Byzantine Art in Greece.
However, between 1204 and 1458 more turmoil came to Greece with Crusading Armies from the West who invaded in the name of religion.
The Fall of Constantinople on May 29th 1453 gave way to a new era in the history of Greece known as the Ottoman Empire. During this period many of the inhabitants of Greece migrated to western Europe, especially Italy, the mountains of Greece and the Greek islands making it difficult for the Ottomans to maintain military control.
In 1821 a struggle against the Ottoman rule, historically called the ‘Greek War of Independence’ took place and ended in 1829 after which the History of modern Greece was established.
Today the history of Greece remains a significant global influence over the way in which many of us live – from mathematics to social living.
