About 10,000 years have passed since Mesolithic people - no doubt natives of Asia Minor - set sail on the Aegean Sea. In those days it was much easier to travel by water than by land.

Since 3200 BC. The Cycladic civilization developed on the islands, represented by marble statues found in necropolises. In addition to cattle breeding, the inhabitants of the Cyclades were engaged in growing wheat, grapes and harvesting olives. The heyday of this civilization dates back to the 3rd millennium BC, the Bronze Age, when cities were strengthened and trade relations with Egyptian and Phoenician ports were established.

About the Minoan civilization

In the last third of the 3rd millennium BC. The Minoan civilization in Crete is experiencing unprecedented prosperity. The island's fertile lands and isolation contribute to the development of a hierarchical society, concentrated in large cities famous for their “bohemian” lifestyle. Trade is carried out with Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, the Middle East and Asia Minor. Information about these transactions has reached us thanks to clay tablets covered with hieroglyphs (Linear A), which have not yet been fully deciphered.

Over time, new colonies arose in southern Greece and the islands of the Aegean Sea. This is how a new culture was born, combining the achievements of the Cyclades and Crete. Around 1700 BC the palaces were destroyed by a strong earthquake; their restoration marked the beginning of the short-lived golden age of Minoan culture. Later, by 1450 BC, it loses its significance. For a long time, there was an opinion among scientists that this was due to a volcanic eruption that destroyed all life on Santorini.

Even though it is impossible to say with certainty whether the tsunami caused by the volcanic eruption really destroyed the Cretan cities, it is likely that it caused irreparable damage to maritime trade and led to irreversible climate changes that contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization. It is also possible that she became a victim of a foreign invasion: the island, left without fortifications, could not defend itself from enemies.

Mycenaean civilization

While the Cyclades and Crete were experiencing their golden age, characterized by the flourishing of cities, mainland Greece was filled with waves of migration from Central Europe: the Achaeans, Ionians and Aeolians. As a result of the assimilation of these first Greeks (proto-Greeks) into the local population, starting in 1650 BC. one of the most outstanding civilizations in human history - Mycenaean - is born. Fortified citadels are being built in Argolis (Peloponnese). War remains the main occupation. Far from the eyes and ears of the people, as the tragedies tell, there are court intrigues and struggles for power, resulting in bloody feuds and fratricide. Despite the fragmentation, by 1400 BC. Mycenae becomes an undeniable power in Mediterranean Greece and the Aegean Sea - and takes part in the Trojan War. Their triumph, however, did not last long. TO XII century BC. they were presumably absorbed by another people who flooded Greece from the north - the Dorians. Perhaps social upheaval was to blame.

Greek Middle Ages

This little-known period, often called the Dark Ages, lasted until the end of the 9th century BC. Among the few objects of this era found during excavations, vases painted with concentric lines often appear. For this reason, that time is sometimes called geometric time.

Later, gigantic population migrations occur from one shore of the Aegean Sea to the other. The invaders push the Ionians to the borders of Asia Minor, where the first city-states arise under the auspices of the tyrants: Miletus, Ephesus and Phenicia. Ionia, the birthplace of the first Greek scientists, poets and philosophers, would soon give the world Homer and his famous epic poems (the creation of the Iliad and Odyssey dates back to the 8th century BC), large marble statues of kouros (boys) and kors (girls).

Rule of city-states

The formation of Greek civilization begins after the first Olympic Games(776 BC), simultaneously with the strengthening of maritime trade and colonial expansion. The first settlers are believed to have been Ionians from Miletus, who in 756 BC. Cyzicus is founded in the Sea of ​​Marmara, and a little later the Euboeans settle in southern Italy. Very soon the Greeks establish control over all surrounding territories. From the 7th century BC. Miletus owns four ports, 200 ships and 24 colonies, stretching from the Black Sea coast to Egypt. The Phoenicians found Marseille, conquered Etruria, Sardinia, Corsica and the Iberian coast. The Corinthians and Athenians are not lagging behind, as are other peoples of archaic Greece, which began to rapidly change. The income is so high that the region of Caria becomes the birthplace of two fabulous fortunes: Midas, king of Phrygia, and Croesus, king of Lydia. During the 7th century BC. construction of sanctuaries is underway at Delphi and on the island of Delos.

Golden Age of Athens

Gradually, the center of Greece is transferred to the mainland, where completely different big cities: warlike Sparta, trading Corinth, intellectual Athens. In political terms, the kingdoms here are replaced by a regime of military oligarchy, then tyranny, and finally by a democratic system established in Athens by the local legislator Solon in the 6th century BC.

At the very beginning of the 5th century BC. Greek cities located in Asia Minor become part of the Median state. Athens sends a fleet in support of the Milesian revolt, starting the First Median War. In 490, the conquerors landed in Marathon, but local troops managed to repel the attack. Ten years later, the second Median war begins. Greece is invaded by the Persian army, which, according to Herodotus, numbers up to two million soldiers and 1,200 ships. Athens is sacked, but thanks to an alliance with other cities, they again manage to defeat the enemy. Since then, Athens has continued to play a dominant role in the life of the country.

The “Age of Pericles” becomes an era of unprecedented flowering of art, architecture, science and philosophy. In 477 BC. the city prudently forms the League (confederation) of Delos, a long-term military and political union with Ionian cities and islands of the Aegean Sea. The Third Median War ends in 449 with the complete liberation of the cities of Asia Minor. But within Greece itself the flames of a new conflict are already flaring up: the confederation becomes an instrument of influence for Athens, the city imposes tribute on its allies... In 446 BC. The Greek world is divided into spheres of influence: the eternal rival Sparta receives power over the land, and Athens - dominion over the sea. But this can’t change anything: Sparta will win the two Peloponnesian wars, and in 404 BC. Athens will fall.

Alexander the Great

Weakened by endless wars, in the 4th century BC. Greece surrenders to the aggressive ambitions of one of the greatest strategists in history - Philip II of Macedon, king of a small province in the north of the country. A convinced Hellenist, Philip plans to unite Greece and go to war with Persia. After his assassination in 336, his twenty-year-old son Alexander follows in his footsteps. During his reign, an era of unprecedented conquests began for Greece, which brought its soldiers to the borders of India. After Alexander's death in Babylon in 323, his empire was divided into three kingdoms: Macedonia, Syria and Egypt.

The Roman Empire

As a rebellion against the Macedonians brews, the Greeks are enslaved by a new conqueror - Rome. In 146 BC. Legionnaires capture Corinth and establish Roman rule over Greece. 60 years later, Sulla plundered rebellious Athens and sent a huge amount of valuable works of art to Rome. The Mediterranean of Alexander's descendants becomes Mare Nostrum ("our sea", Latin). In 130, under the auspices of Emperor Hadrian, Athens, once again prosperous thanks to the “Roman Peace,” experienced a grandiose reconstruction for the last time. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, the Mediterranean lost its unity.

Byzantine Empire

Christianity gradually spreads in the region, especially after the rise to power of Emperor Constantine, who renames the Byzantine city Constantinople and makes it the capital in 330. The rightful successor of the Roman Empire in the East, the Byzantine Empire returns Greece to its unity based on Christianity and the Greek language, but its opponents press it on all sides. Later, enmity brews between Christians and Muslims. The raids of the Arabs, who dominate the Eastern Mediterranean, are becoming more frequent. The coast and islands are devastated by pirates. Two centuries later, in 1054, the Christian Church split into Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic. After this division, the powerful Western European maritime powers set course for Greek lands. The Normans, who came from Sicily in the middle of the 12th century, the Venetians and the Franks captured the country. Three years after the capture of Constantinople by the crusaders (1207), Greece is divided between the allies: Venice takes the lion's share - the Ionian Islands, part of the Cyclades, Crete, Euboea. The Genoese settled on the islands of Lesbos and Chios, and the Peloponnese (renamed Morea) and the islands of the Saronic Gulf went to the Franks. In 1306, the Order of the Knights of St. John captured Rhodes. The network of military fortresses is designed to support the territorial ambitions of the “guardian of Christianity” against the Ottoman Empire.

Turkish rule

In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople, putting an end to the second Byzantine Empire, created at the beginning of the 13th century. Three years later, Athens suffers the same fate, and then comes the turn of the Greek islands. Venetian Crete resisted until 1669, and the island of Tinos (Cyclades) until 1714. European fleets at that time were heading west: their attention was captured by America. Greece fell into oblivion, which was only partially compensated by the development of trade with the Ottoman Empire. The Turks did not oppress the local residents, but demanded a poll tax from the Greek peasants - a fifth of the harvest. In the 18th century, a resistance movement gradually emerged.

The path to independence

The decline of the Ottoman Empire contributes to the strengthening of nationalist sentiments. In 1821, an uprising breaks out. European volunteers from among the philhellenes in love with classical Greece, who went in search of their roots, join the fight following the example of Lord Byron. The great Greek armorers, who became rich at the end of the 18th century, donated their ships to the liberation movement. But the uprising is in danger of defeat, and the intervention of France, England and Russia is required. In 1832, the tiny Kingdom of Greece, having lost the lion's share of its historical territories, finally received the right to exist. Two years later, Athens becomes the capital of the new state. One of the sons of Louis I of Bavaria ascends the throne under the name of Otto I of Greece. The Greeks, removed from power, united against him, and in 1862 they sought his removal. He is succeeded by George I, imposed on the country by the British. During his reign in 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens. In 1912, Crete returned to the national fold, and after the end of the First World War, Macedonia, Thrace and the islands of the northern Aegean Sea.

Modern era

The dream of restoring Magna Graecia (Enosis) was realized already in the 20th century. In 1923, the country, destroyed by Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is forced to agree to a population exchange: one and a half million Orthodox Greeks emigrate from Asia Minor to Greece, while 400,000 Muslim Turks make the journey in the opposite direction. The population of Athens is increasing many times over. Nevertheless, this exchange contributes to the formation of a new nation, rare in its homogeneity, both culturally and geographically. In 1924, the Greek Republic was proclaimed. The country is going through a period of destabilization, characterized by numerous coups d'etat until it finds itself under occupation by Italian troops in 1940 and then, a year later, by the Wehrmacht armies. Bloody battles are taking place. At the end of the war, a kingdom is formed. But soon a civil war (1947-1949) breaks out, ending with the defeat of the communist rebels. In 1967, a military coup sends King Constantine into exile, and the junta establishes a “regime of colonels.” Democracy was restored in 1974, and in 1981 Greece joined the EEC. In January 2002, it will become one of the first countries to adopt the euro.

Brief history of ancient Greece - this is a brief summary (description, message about ancient civilization) of the era of the entire large section of Ancient Greece (namely about the population, religion, myths of ancient Greece, aboutinynah,about cities, about rulers, etc., which you can read about below)

• Section - I - Description about Ancient Greece
• Section - 2 - Nature and population of ancient Greece
• Section - 3 - Myths and religion of ancient Greece
• Section - 4 - Greek city-states in the 6th century BC
• Section - 5 - Greco-Persian Wars briefly
• Section - 6 - Slaves in ancient Greece
• Section - 7 - The rise of Athens in the 5th century BC. uh
• Section - 8 - Life of the ancient Greeks
• Section - 9 - Ancient theater of ancient Greece
• Section - 10 - Ancient art and science of ancient Greece
• Section - 11 - State of Alexander the Great
• Section - 12 - Ancient Hellas

The history of Ancient Greece plays a huge role in the development of human civilization, which will be briefly discussed in this article. Today it is difficult to meet a person who knows nothing about ancient Greek culture and history. It was this state that became the founder of European values ​​relating to politics, philosophy, literature and much more.

If you look at the map of Ancient Greece, you can see that it is located in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece bordered on states such as Illyria and Macedonia. Over time, its territories increased due to colonization.

In order to briefly consider the history of Ancient Greece, researchers divide it into certain periods.

About religion

The unifying link in ancient Greek culture was religion. The dominant place was occupied by the god Zeus, who is the king of all other gods, as well as people. The Greeks considered the sacred mountain called Olympus to be the habitat of the gods, where in addition to Zeus they also lived 11 divine beings.

This is Hera, the wife of Zeus - the goddess of the family hearth,

God Poseidon - patron water element, seas and oceans.

The main god had sisters - the goddess of fertility, whose name was Demeter and Hestia, patronizing home life. The daughter of Zeus was Athena, the militant patroness of wisdom, as well as crafts.

Also, besides Athena, the god Ares patronized war. The goddess Artemis initially patronized agriculture, but then began to be revered as a goddess responsible for pregnant women and chastity. Her brother, Apollo, played the role of the sun god among the ancient Greeks. He patronized medicine, education, and art.

As for Hermes, he was initially considered the patron of cattle breeding, but then began to be revered as a messenger god. One of Zeus' daughters, Aphrodite, was born from sea foam to become the goddess of love and beauty.

The ancient Greeks represented their divine patrons in human form, and they were characterized by human traits of behavior and character. The gods knew human feelings, desires, and they even had their own vices.

Mythology

Olympic Games

An ancient Greek tradition has survived to this day - Olympic Games .

• These major sports competitions initially originated as part of a religious cult, during which various ceremonies of worship of the gods were held.
• The first day was entirely devoted to the ritual of sacrifice, just like on the last day of the games, when the winners were awarded.
• The tradition of holding the Olympic Games began as ordinary local competitions, later this tradition became a pan-Greek one. One of the sports invented by the ancient Greeks is pentathlon.

In Ancient Greece, this sport was invented with the aim of identifying the strongest athlete.

The pentathlon included running, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw and wrestling.

• During the competitions, wars stopped.

• The games were banned in 394 AD, during Roman rule. Emperor Theodosius I forcibly implanted the Christian faith, and therefore banned the Olympic Games as a relic of paganism.

• It was only in the 19th century that the tradition of the Olympic Games was restored, and they became the most famous and prestigious competitions in the whole world.

CULTURE

About art

• The art of Ancient Greece played a very important role in the development of global culture.

• The Acropolis, the most protected part of the city, was always located on a hill, and served as the place where local power was concentrated - both urban and religious.

• Yellow limestone and white marble were used to build the temples. A distinctive feature of ancient Greek architecture are columns - an integral part of any building.

• Temples were usually surrounded by one or two rows of columns.

• Ancient Greek architecture flourished during the classical period.

• During the Hellenistic era, more attention began to be paid to the construction not of temple buildings, but of promenades, amphitheatres, palaces and sports buildings.

Sculpture

• Sculpture is also an integral part of ancient Greek art.

• It has undergone some changes over the course of time.

• During the classical era, images of gods were popular.

• They looked like ordinary people- physically developed, strong, beautiful, but at the same time did not have any disadvantages inherent in people. Clothes were not depicted; it was customary to show the naked body, all its beauty. During the Hellenistic era, sculptural images became more magnificent and exaggerated.

Painting

• There were two ways to paint vases - red-figure and black-figure. In black-figure painting, images of people and animals were drawn using black varnish, drawing out the details with a needle.

Theater

• Theater was widespread in Ancient Greece.

• It appeared during celebrations dedicated to the god of wine - Dionysus.

• Music and literature are closely related to theatrical art. The theatrical art of the Greeks, united with literature, began to represent a separate direction of culture.

• The most famous of them are Sophocles, Aeschylus, Ephpirides. Only men could be actors; when playing in the play, they used masks. The theater had great importance in the lives of people of those times - special buildings were built for this purpose.

• The largest of them could accommodate more than a thousand people - for example, the Theater of Dionysus in Athens. Theatrical performances were an integral part of any celebration.

The science

• Ancient Greece is also famous for its scientific knowledge, important place in which ancient philosophy occupies.

• Ancient Greek philosophers dealt with questions concerning the origin of man and the Universe.

• His philosophy teacher is the famous Socrates. Also, ancient Greek philosophy gave the world Aristotle, the most famous philosopher in the whole world.

Ancient Greek culture developed an ideal of man - a harmonious union of physical and spiritual beauty was assumed.

This is precisely what education in Ancient Greece was aimed at.

Attention was paid not only to teaching scientific knowledge, but also physical education.

They taught the sons of free citizens from the age of seven. The first stage was training in a lower school, where the children studied basic subjects.

Moving to the second stage, astronomy and philosophy were added to the list of scientific disciplines.

Boys aged 12 to 16 years old were engaged in physical education in gymnastics schools - palestras.

Sparta

• The upbringing and education of children in Sparta had its own characteristics.

• Every Spartan between the ages of 8 and 20 was required to receive a school education.

• In general, Spartan education was quite harsh, the state directly participated in the formation of personality - physical skills were developed.

• The children were taught hunting, military affairs, dancing, and physical education. They did not attach much importance to mental development - it was a personal matter for each person.

• It was in Sparta that the first hoplites appeared - foot soldiers.

Social and political life

• As for socio-political life, then highest authority The state power was the people's assembly, which in Ancient Greece received the name "ecclesia".

• Men who were free and over 20 years of age could participate in its work.

• With its powers, the ecclesia covered not only the legislative, but also the executive and judicial branches of government.

• Also one of the authorities was the Areopagus. In the era of tribal relations, it was a council of elders. Subsequently, the functions of the Areopagus began to be limited primarily to the judicial function.

• In Ancient Greece, there was such a thing as a secured loan.

• As a rule, land was left as collateral. As a sign that the land was mortgaged, a debt stone was placed there. It was removed after the debt was paid off.

• If a person did not have time to pay the debt, he was enslaved and all his property was confiscated.

• The Athenian ruler Solon abolished this practice, freeing citizens from debt obligations.

• The stones were removed, and freedom was returned to debtors sold into slavery. Subsequently, such a phenomenon as self-mortgaging of a debtor was prohibited.

Money

• The ancient Greeks used money.

• A large number of various coins of Ancient Greece have survived to this day, of interest not only to historians, but also to numismatists.

• The Greeks' craving for beauty was reflected in their costume, which changed over the centuries.

• But at all times, the clothing of Ancient Greece had a peculiarity - it was never sewn.

• As a conclusion, it should be noted that this article is only short description the entire history of Ancient Greece.

• The history of this state is one of the most interesting sections of the entire history of the ancient world.

Another version on the brief history of ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is still capable of arousing great interest among many scientists around the world. The German philosopher and poet made an important contribution to the study of the culture of Ancient Greece. In his notes, he wrote that in Greece at that time two principles coexisted: Dionysian (i.e. wild, elemental) and Apollonian (i.e. harmonious). At first, no one took Friedrich Nietzsche’s entire theory seriously, and he himself was considered an outcast in scientific circles.

World scientists saw only an Apollonian beginning in Ancient Greece. But today the correctness of Friedrich Nietzsche does not raise any doubts. It is worth starting with the earliest eras of Ancient Greece. This period is called Creto-Mycenaean. On an island called Crete and in Mycenae, countries arose that were in many ways similar to eastern despotism. In essence, they had nothing in common with the Ancient Greece that we are accustomed to imagine, with its great city-states.

All our knowledge about this era is very limited. For a long period of time, Aegean writing (derived from the Aegean Sea) remained completely undeciphered. A large number of material monuments of this culture have survived to this day, but they, in turn, could tell little about that time. Only in the mid-twentieth century, a researcher from England, Ventris was able to decipher this letter. Today we know the culture of that time a little more.

Even then, many people revered Zeus. Various cults were widespread in Ancient Greece: the cult of animals, the cult of the double axe, the shield, the cult of trees, stones, and the sun. The main characteristics of the Cretan-Mycenaean time are considered to be the presence of a “palace culture”, a rather strict centralization of the military-political, religious, as well as economic spheres of life. During that period, powerful, fortified citadel palaces were formed.

These palaces were very large. They necessarily included places for administrative and religious purposes, as well as storerooms. Numerous buildings in which the entire life of the palace took place constantly required control and care. During the Cretan-Mycenaean period, bureaucratic personnel acquired enormous importance. At the head of these palaces was a priest-king, whose main task was to preserve and maintain sacred order. Communal settlements were founded nearby. The duties of the king included the function of the supreme military leader, who constantly ensured the protection of all his settlements. The second stage in the formation of ancient Greek culture begins with the decline of Crete and Mycenae. A powerful earthquake led to the death of civilization on Crete.

Greece (Ελλάδα) is a European country on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering Turkey, Bulgaria, Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia. Greece is washed by the seas: Ionian, Aegean, Mediterranean and Libyan.

The length of the coastline of Greece is 13.676 km.

Greece owns many islands, more than 3000, of which 165 are inhabited. The largest of them is Crete, washed on the northern side by the Cretan Sea (this is part of the Aegean Sea) and on the southern side by the Libyan Sea. The Aegean Sea also contains numerous islands, the so-called Cyclades, the Dodecanese islands (southern Sporades), eastern Sporades, Euboea. The main islands of the Ionian Sea are Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada and. The islands of the Saronic Gulf include Aegina, Salomina, Paros, Hydra and others.

Despite the fact that Greece turned out to be the poorest Roman province, the Romans admired the richness of Greek culture and became its followers. When the Roman Empire was divided into two parts, western and eastern, Hellas ended up in the eastern part, which was later called the Byzantine Empire, with its capital at Constantinople. Subsequently, Roman and Hellenic cultures interacted in the culture of Byzantium; the empire existed for more than a thousand years and throughout all that time remained the main world cultural center.

Beginning in 1953, Byzantium was gradually conquered by the Ottoman Empire and Greece was enslaved by the Turks for 400 long years.

Turkish rule lasted until 1821, at which time the Greeks rebelled for independence, ending the armed struggle in 1828.

MODERN HISTORY OF GREECE

In 1830, the independence of the new Greek state was officially recognized (London Protocol).
In 1833, a monarchy was established in Greece.
In 1940, Greece entered World War II in response to an Italian attack, repulsing the Italians and winning a major victory. But with the intervention of Nazi Germany (1941-1944), Greece could not resist. Immediately after the end of the war, civil war broke out and lasted until 1949.

In 1952, Greece became a member of NATO.

In 1967, the army took power through a coup, in 1973 the junta abolished the monarchy, and in 1974 the end of the dictatorial regime came (after the failure of the putsch in Cyprus).

After a referendum, on December 8, 1974, Greece was again declared a Republic, and on June 11, 1975, a new constitution was drawn up, which is in force to this day, with amendments in 1986, 2001 and 2008.

Greece became a member of the European Union in 1981 and in 2002 the common currency of the European Union, the euro, was adopted.

Read more about the history of modern Greece

TOURISM IN GREECE

An important factor in the Greek economy and development is tourism.

Greece is considered a popular destination in the world, mainly for summer holidays, but winter destinations are also growing in popularity every year.

In 2017, Greece was visited by about 30 million tourists, making it one of the top ten tourist destinations.

Travelers to Hellas are attracted by clean beaches and warm azure seas, good climate, historical places, delicious and healthy cuisine, natural beauty, nightlife.

The most popular tourist destinations are Athens, Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Mycenae, Nafplio, Thessaloniki, the island of Lesbos (Mytilene), on the Ionian Islands - Corfu and Zakynthos, on the Cyclades Islands - Mykonos, Santorini and Paros, as well as the island of Rhodes and the island of Crete.

Popular resorts for winter holidays are Metsovo, Zagorohoria, Arakhova, Karpenisi, Kalavryta and the Arcadia areas.

More than 80% of people coming to Greece are tourists from European countries; the flow of travelers from other countries of the world increases every year.

Greek civilization is one of the oldest in the world, so caring parents will definitely want to introduce their kids to this beautiful country. They can help with this Interesting Facts about Greece for children:

1. Myths and legends were born in Greece, revealing to you the fabulous world of ancient monsters, gods and fabulous plants. The descriptions of the exploits of ancient heroes are so interesting that it is difficult to imagine the measured life of the simple ancient Greek people, who had their own daily worries.

2. The beautiful city of Rhodes is the capital of the most popular Greek island of the same name among tourists. This city once housed one of the seven ancient wonders of the world - the huge Colossus of Rhodes. By the way, the word “colossal” we know appeared thanks to the size of this statue.

3. Greece is home to the largest number of wildlife species in Europe. It is home to 107 species of different fish, 240 species of birds, 116 species of mammals, as well as 18 species of amphibians.

4. Did you know that Greece is considered the birthplace of mathematics, since it was the Greeks who first began to teach it? All the works written by the first Greek mathematicians: Archimedes, Euclid, Pythagoras and Apollo became the basis of school textbooks.

5. Imagine, there are seven seas in Greece: the Aegean, Ionian, Mediterranean, Myrtoian, Thracian, Libyan and Cretan. The water is so clear that you can see all the fish swimming past your feet. Be careful, these fry can nip a lot.

6. You should be extremely careful on Greek roads, as Greeks are always in a hurry to get somewhere. And pedestrians constantly cross the road in the wrong place, not paying attention to the red traffic light.

7. Schoolchildren in Greece learn three languages: Greek, English and any European, so here all adults speak English. Everyone’s level of language knowledge is different, but even in the most distant villages courses are held in English for those who want to raise it.

8. Greeks (both men and women) usually greet each other by kissing each other on each cheek. It would seem that such a greeting should be common among good friends or relatives, but people in Greece are so friendly that when they see you even for the second time in their life, they will consider you their friend. Therefore, you will have to kiss when greeting.

9. Did you know that the most beloved dance in Greece - zeybekiko - is called the dance of the drunken sailor? It is always danced by one person, and the spectators standing around him clap their hands. And so everyone dances in turn: those who are tired stand in a circle, and the spectator goes to dance. At the same time, sirtaki, which we consider to be an original Greek dance, was first seen in 1964 in the film “The Greek Zobra”. It was invented specifically for filming, but quickly became popular in Greece.

10. If you saw that the Greek clicked his tongue and made an upward movement with his head, then this means that he said “no.” This is an interesting feature.

11. If you are in Greece and are sick, then you don’t have to be afraid of injections: they are almost never given here, and they are treated only with tablets. In almost every Greek region you can find a doctor or a private clinic, as the Greeks pay great attention to medicine.

12. Back in 1812, Greece started a war with the Ottoman Empire - now it is Turkey. The reason for military action was the desire of the Greeks to be independent. When the Turks surrounded the Parthenon and, in the absence of bullets, began to destroy the Greek columns with lead rods, the Greeks themselves began to send them cartridges so that the ancient buildings and monuments in the area remained intact.

13. The Greeks have long been famous for their sweets and culinary masterpieces: various pastries and cakes with honey, ice cream, oriental delicacies - everything is always fresh, tasty and inexpensive. You enter a cafe and they will immediately bring you a glass of cool water. And they will always bring it, even when you don’t ask for it.

14. If you come to a cafe for dinner, do not order dessert - they can bring it for free!

15. In Greece Special attention focus on family ties. If you see about 250 people celebrating something, don’t be surprised - this is a large and friendly Greek family.

Greece is of interest to almost anyone. Some are interested in the history of Ancient Hellas, some strive to visit this country, considering it the cradle of Orthodoxy, and some tourists, and they seem to be the majority, simply want to relax at the beautiful Greek beach resorts. More than 15 million tourists visit Greece every year from different countries peace.

In the 5th century BC, Greece was the center of the ecumene, the undisputed leader in the fields of art, architecture, science, mathematics, philosophy, theater and literature. Now Greece is famous for its amazing landscape, natural beauty, numerous historical monuments, as well as beautiful beach resorts.

Geography of Greece

Greece is located in southeastern Europe. In the east and northeast, Greece borders with Turkey, in the north with Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania, in the south it is washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the Ionian Sea, and in the east by the Aegean Sea.

The total area of ​​Greece is almost 132 thousand square kilometers, including islands (approximately 20% of the territory of Greece are islands), and the total length of the state border is 1,228 km.

A significant part of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains. Moreover, the highest of them is the famous Mount Olympus in Thessaly (2,917 m).

There are approximately 3,053 islands in Greece. The largest Greek islands are Crete in the Mediterranean Sea and Euboea in the Aegean Sea.

Capital

The capital of Greece is the ancient city of Athens, which is now home to more than 5 million people. This city was founded approximately 3,500 years ago.

Official language of Greece

The official language of Greece is Greek, which is a branch of the Indo-European languages. First archaeological evidence of the existence Greek language date back to the 15th century BC.

Religion

About 97% of the population of Greece consider themselves Orthodox Christians belonging to the Greek Catholic Church. According to a Eurostat poll, 81% of Greeks believe that “God exists.”

State structure

Greece is a parliamentary republic in which the head of state is the President (elected by Parliament). The current Greek Constitution was adopted relatively long ago, in 1975.

Legislative power in this country belongs to the unicameral Parliament (300 deputies).

The main political parties are the liberal New Democracy, the left-wing Panhellenic Social Movement, the Coalition of the Radical Left, the People's Orthodox Appeal, and the Communist Party of Greece.

Climate and weather

In the coastal regions of Greece (Athens, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, Peloponnese and part of Central Hellas), the Mediterranean climate predominates (winters are mild and humid, and summers are dry and hot).

The mountainous regions of northwestern Greece (some of Epirus, Central Greece, Thessaly and Western Macedonia), as well as the mountainous Peloponnese, including Achaia, Arcadia and Laconia, have an alpine climate with heavy snowfall.

Inland central Greece, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have a temperate climate.

In July, the average air temperature in Athens is +28.7C, on the island of Corfu – +27.8C, and on the island of Rhodes – 26.8C.

Sea in Greece

Greece is washed by the waters of the Ionian (in the west), Mediterranean (in the south) and Aegean (in the east) seas. The total coastline is about 17,000 km. Approximately 85% of the population of all Greece lives in coastal areas (up to 50 km from the coast).

Sea water in Greece amazes and surprises all tourists. Its deep blue color is due in part to the reflection of the blue sky and the fact that it does not contain much solid matter (such as plankton, dirt and dust).

There are about 450 species of fish and 12 species of cetaceans in the Greek seas.

There are about 3,053 islands in Greece. The largest of them are Crete in the Ionian Sea, Euboea in the Aegean Sea, and Corfu in the Ionian Sea.

Average sea temperature in Greece:

• January - +15C
• February - +14C
• March - +14C
• April - +15C
• May - +18C
• June - +22C
• July - +24C
• August - +25C
• September - +23C
• October - +21C
• November - +19C
• December - +16C

The average water temperature near the island of Crete in May is +19C, in August - +25C, and in October - +23C.

Rivers and lakes of Greece

Despite the fact that a significant part of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains, this country also has many rivers. In ancient times, the Greeks believed that rivers belonged to the world of the gods and worshiped them as separate deities.

The largest rivers in Greece are Aliakmon (297 km), Aheloos (217 km), and Mesta (230 km).

Perhaps tourists will be interested in Greek lakes, among which we highlight Trichonis, Volvi, and Vegoritis.

History of Greece

Greece marked the beginning of European civilization. The Greek city-states of Athens, Corinth and Sparta only joined forces when they were threatened by Persian invasion.

In the 5th century BC. Athens was the political, economic, and, of course, cultural center of the Mediterranean. Then Sparta, led by Alexander the Great, received a dominant role over the Greek lands. At this time, the Greeks defeated the Persians and spread their influence over vast territories, right up to India.

In 146 BC. Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire. In 395 AD, after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Byzantium (officially the Eastern Roman Empire) was formed, with Constantinople (modern Istanbul) as its capital.

In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was liquidated, and the territory of modern Greece came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. For the next 350 years, Greece was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

As a result of the liberation war of 1821-1829, Greece finally gained independence. In 1833, Otto from Bavaria became king of Greece. Monarchy in Greece (from 1863 the Greeks were ruled by the Danish The Royal Family) existed until 1973.

After World War II, Greece plunged into civil war, until the right-wing monarchists won in 1954. From 1967 to 1974, Greece was ruled by the so-called. "black colonels".

In 1981, after years of consultations, Greece became a member of the EU.

Greek culture

Greek culture begins with the Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations (for example, 2000 BC). After this, there was a period in the history of Greece that historians call the classical period. At this time, Greek culture was formed, which began to influence neighboring peoples. In general, Greece is the birthplace of humanity, and in one way or another Greek culture has influenced a huge number of countries. The successors of Greek culture are Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire.

In the Middle Ages, Greek culture was greatly influenced by Ottoman Empire. But this is understandable, because... For about 350 years, Greece was just one of the provinces of the Ottoman Empire.

It was in Ancient Greece that science was born. Modern philosophy, mathematics and astronomy are based on the knowledge gained by the ancient Greeks.

The most famous ancient Greek philosophers are Aristotle, Plato, Diogenes, Crates of Athens, Diogenes and Socrates.

The most famous ancient Greek mathematicians are Archimedes, Pythagoras, Democritus and Euclid.

The Greeks are very superstitious; they believe not only in God, but also in supernatural forces. Until now, the Greeks take the myths of Ancient Greece seriously. Moreover, every region of Greece, every village, every island has its own superstitions and traditions.

Greeks will never personally hand over a knife to a person who asks them for it, but will simply place it, for example, on a table. It is believed that if you give someone a knife, you will have to fight with that person.

The most popular Greek folk (and very often religious) holidays are Epiphany, Gynecocracy, Tsiknopempti (Meat Thursday), Clean Monday, Annunciation, Good Friday, Easter, Remembrance Day of the Pontic Genocide, Trinity Sunday, Polytechnic and Nativity.

If two Greeks say the same words at the same time, they will definitely touch some red object, otherwise it is believed that they will fight and become enemies. History is silent about where this superstition came from.

Greek cuisine

We definitely advise tourists to visit local restaurants in Greece and enjoy Greek cuisine. The variety of dishes, as well as their taste, make Greek cuisine unique. Feature Greek cuisine - the use of olive oil in absolutely every dish.

Also, Greeks usually use a lot of vegetables and spices when preparing food. However, the spices are mild enough that there is no need to worry about too much heat.

We all know Greek salad and moussaka. However, these dishes are only a prelude to real Greek cuisine. Each region of Greece, each island has its own dishes and methods of preparing them. Therefore, the taste of moussaka on the island of Corfu will be completely different from that of moussaka on the Dedecanese islands.

We definitely advise tourists in Greece to try the bean soup “Fasolada”, shrimp fried in butter, “souvlaki” (kebabs on wooden sticks), fish fillet in Greek, flatbread with meat, potatoes and tomatoes “gyro”, “fritta” from vegetables with “zazyki” sauce, as well as “kakavia” fish soup.

The ancient Greeks considered wine to be the drink of the gods, and in modern Greece this alcoholic drink is extremely popular. True, the ancient Greeks diluted wine with spring water, but modern Greeks for some reason forgot this, generally very useful, tradition.

The most famous Greek strong alcoholic drinks– tsipuro (also called tsikudya or raki), with a strength of 38-47% alcohol, ouzo (aniseed vodka with a strength of 40% alcohol), and Metaxa brandy.

Sights of Greece

Greece ranks first in the world in terms of the number of attractions (in second and third places are Italy and Bulgaria, respectively). Therefore, we will highlight, in our opinion, the ten best attractions in Greece, although in fact there are many more.

Top 10 best attractions in Greece:

Cities and resorts

The largest Greek cities are Athens, Piraeus, Patras, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion.

The coastline in Greece is 13,676 kilometers, which means that there are a huge number of beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, which are surrounded by cliffs with pine trees and palm trees.

The most popular beach resorts in Greece are Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos Island, Chania and Halkidiki peninsula.

Souvenirs/shopping

• Greek shoes (in particular, handmade sandals).
• Gold jewelry.
• Folk talismans that “ward off the evil eye.”
• Bouzouki (baglama) is a small stringed musical instrument.
• CDs of Greek folk music.
• Olives, olive oil.
• Greek cheese.
• Kitchen utensils.
• Alcoholic drinks - ouzo, tsipuro (tsikudya or raki) and Metaxa brandy.

Office hours

Bank opening hours:

Mon-Thu: 08:30-14.30
Fri: 08:30-14.00

Banks on the larger islands are generally open during the afternoon to cater to tourists.

Stores in Greece are open from Monday to Saturday, starting at 9:00 (in summer - from 8:30)

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