The Kingdom of Greece is an ancient country with a rich history and amazing natural beauty. The ancient civilization of Greece laid the foundation for the development of modern Europe. Tourists are attracted by sights that are more than two thousand years old. The coast of the country is famous for its resorts with a pleasant climate.
History of the kingdom
For the first time the territory of Greece was inhabited before the third millennium BC. This is reported by the finds of archaeologists. The territory of Ancient Greece was different from the modern one and occupied a large territory.
The heyday of civilization fell on the VI-IV centuries. BC. Famous philosophers and scientists appeared during this period. Hippocrates, Socrates, Aristotle, Pythagoras - an incomplete list of famous Greeks.
Greece was repeatedly attacked by other states, including Ancient Rome. Under the yoke of the Roman Empire, the Greeks lived for almost 400 years. In 1821, having waged a war of liberation, Greece defended its independence.
In 1833 the country declared itself a monarchy. The Kingdom of Greece has experienced several wars with other countries andcivil war. As a result of an internal coup in 1974, the kingdom received the status of a republic.
Alternate Kingdom History
There is an opinion that the Kingdom of Greece had a different past. An alternative story tells that Athens was burned by the barbarians in the 10th century or the Slavs massacred the inhabitants, but there is no direct evidence of this.
In the 4th century BC, Athens was settled by the Avaro-Slavs. The Greeks as a nation have disappeared, there is no evidence of the existence of schools, libraries in the kingdom of Greece. The alternative of the classical story is not supported by documents, but the abundance of Slavic names of rivers and mountains indirectly indicates the validity of the alternative version.
In the 15th century, archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory of Athens, and the Greeks themselves did not even know about the existence of the Olympic Palace. German scientists suggested that for 400 years there were ruins on the territory of the Kingdom of Greece. In the 18th century, a city plan was drawn up for the first time. Since then, the study of Greece has begun, perhaps with a slight distortion in time.
Country climate
Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula and is washed by the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean seas. 1/5 of the country is located on the islands. The largest and most famous island is Crete.
The country's climate is temperate Mediterranean. Warm, wet winters and dry, hot summers make for a comfortable stay. Summer heat is easy to bear, thanks to the warm, moist wind from the sea.
Rest onpeninsula includes ski snow resorts and hot beaches.
Flag of Greece
The 1921 revolution led to independence and the appearance of the flag of the Kingdom of Greece. The flag has 9 stripes of white and blue. There is a white cross in the corner of the canvas.
There are 3 versions of why the flag has 9 stripes:
- official version: 9 lanes - 9 geographical regions of the country;
- 9 syllables in the main slogan of the independence war of liberation - "freedom or death" in Greek;
- 9 letters in the Greek word for freedom.
The blue color of the flag symbolizes the color of the sea, which plays an important role in the life of the Greeks. White color is a symbol of sea foam. The white cross commemorates the Greek Orthodox Church and the fight against the invaders.
Greeks are kind to the symbol of the state and are ready to defend the flag at the cost of their own lives. A damaged flag cannot be thrown into the trash; in this case, the symbol is burned. It is unacceptable for the flag to touch the ground, while the national anthem must be played during its raising.
Coat of arms of Greece
After the war of liberation in the Kingdom of Greece, the coat of arms became a symbol of freedom. The coat of arms depicts a shield with a white cross. Around the shield is a laurel wreath. The emblem symbolizes military prowess, glory and victory over the invaders. The cross commemorates the difficult mission of Greece during the revolution.
The blue color on the symbol of the state speaks of a clear sky, the seas washing the country, mercy andhope. White color is a symbol of justice, purity of thoughts, faith and beauty.
Greek culture
The culture of the Kingdom of Greece has influenced the development of other countries. Ancient Rome and Byzantium became the receivers of the cultural heritage. It was in Greece that the science of mathematics and astronomy was born, the greatest philosophers of ancient times lived in this country.
The ancient Gods described in myths and legends are still revered by the people living in the country. The unofficial symbol is the olive tree, it was presented to the people by the goddess Athena. Olive tree oil is used in cooking, before it was used for household needs. The Greeks are fond of olive trees, it takes decades to grow.
The inhabitants of the country did not deify the rulers, the Gods lived side by side, but not among people. The Kingdom of Greece did not have a monarchy in its classical form. This quality distinguished the state from others. Greece was the first to introduce the concept of a city-polis, which laid the foundations of democracy in the world.
Features of the kingdom
At all times in the kingdom or republic of Greece, the Orthodox religion comes first. You can’t treat her with disdain, in this case no one will talk to you.
Greeks are hospitable, if you get to visit the house, then you will not leave without a cup of coffee. Russian-speaking Greeks, immigrants from Georgia and Central Asia, will definitely serve lunch and discuss the latest news.
Greeks love to drink coffee at home and in coffee shops. They like a leisurely pastime over a cup of coffee. ATthe same establishments go for years, there are cases when 2-3 generations do not change their traditions. And a long lunch break allows you to enjoy the current day and do business in the evening.
