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A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

author:Yunshan Literature and History V
A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Wen|Mumu

Editor|Stargazing

The Greeks' identification with "self-identity" was reflected as early as ancient Greece, and the opposition between Greeks and "barbarians" was pervasive in classical texts, and in the eyes of the Greeks, "barbarians" could not speak Greek, lacked reason, had a brutal personality, and lived extravagantly.

By the time of independent statehood, the rationality, freedom, polytheism, superior city-state system, and relaxed and free lifestyle of the Greeks in their own personalities gave the Greeks a sense of superiority and ethnic identity for "self".

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Especially after the Greco-Persian War, the Greeks constructed their ethnic identity through a critique of the "Eastern barbarians" represented by the Persians.

By the time of the Roman Empire, the Greeks had lost their political independence, but the Greek identity had not been changed by the conquest.

Instead, the ethnic group was further expanded, and Greek culture was exploited and promoted by the rulers. But the religious beliefs of the Greeks changed during the Roman Empire, and Roman politics became increasingly Christian with the rise of Christianity in the 3rd century AD.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

It was not until the 6th century AD that the Christianized Eastern Roman Empire was largely formed, and the Greeks gradually changed from polytheistic worship to Christianity. Greek ethnic identity is a mix of other factors.

By the time of the Byzantine Empire, the inheritance and transformation of ancient Greek culture, the absorption and integration of Greek culture by Christianity, and the Greeks became the backbone of the empire.

Greek ethnic identity is more reflected in the superiority of "self" culture and identification with "Orthodox Christians". It became an important symbol that distinguished the Greeks from other peoples.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Although the ethnic identity of the Greeks from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire has been changed, the Greek identification with the "self" culture and the confrontational conflict between the Greeks and the "barbarians" have always coexisted, which together forged the sense of ethnic identity of the Greeks.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

I. Greek ethnic identity in the era of independent city-states

The Greeks' self-identification originated in the 8th-7th century BC, not in the Ottoman era. Ancient Greece is typical of "one people, many countries".

Since antiquity, the Greeks have had a unique way of defining themselves with regard to the concept of "Greek": to foreigners, "Greeks" - common religious beliefs and customs. The same historical origins and evolution.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Similar institutions and political activities. Same language. Similar living areas and living habits.

The superior language of Greek is the most important means of transportation, thinking tool, bridge and bond between members of society, and a tool for communicating and expressing ideas with each other. Greek stands out among Indo-European languages for its uniqueness.

In the minds of ancient Greeks, the concept of "Greek" is closely related to the Greek language, which is not only a language used by the Greeks, but also a prominent symbol of the Greeks' self-definition and ethnic identity.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Blood, language, religious beliefs, and way of life became the criteria for determining whether a person was Greek or not. The reluctance of the Greeks to learn languages other than Greek was closely related to their sense of cultural superiority.

Greek's superiority over its own language is reflected in oratory, mythology, epic, philosophy, and so on. In addition, the reason why Greek is respected by the Greeks is because of the rigor and richness of the Greek language system.

The pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary of the Greek language led the Greeks to achieve great achievements not only in literature, but also in historiography, political thinking, and philosophical expression.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Looking at history, Greek presents not only the beauty of words and grammar, but also the agility and wisdom of Greek philosophical speculation. This is the greatest affirmation and spread of the Greek language.

Just like English is one of the world's lingua franca today, this is not only an expansion and learning of the language itself, but also a cultural input and influence.

The same is true of Greek, which has become the lingua franca of the entire Hellenistic world, from a country's policy and foreign policy to the everyday language of the Greek people.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The Greek language greatly increases the self-confidence of Greeks and their sense of identification with their linguistic superiority.

The use and respect of the Greek language by the Greeks in the era of independent city-states increased the ethnic identity of the Greeks for "self" on this basis. But the opposite is to the "barbarians" who do not speak Greek.

The attitude of the Greeks towards the "barbarians" was critical and satirical. In the early 5th century BC, at the beginning of the Greek classical era, the Persian Empire expanded abroad, which was also the fundamental reason for the formation of the polar concept of the Greeks and the "barbarians".

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The "barbarians" in the eyes of the Greeks, who did not speak Greek, lacked rationality. Ruled by tyrants. Loss of moderation. Only know pleasure, barbaric and ferocious.

Herodotus wrote in the third book that Cambyses showed its barbaric side in the specific process of conquering Egypt.

Because according to the custom of the Persians, the captured king and son are respected. But after the capture of Memphis, Cambyses ordered Poussammenitus to be humiliated and forced to drink the blood of bulls.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

In the eyes of the Persians, fire was a god-like symbol, and under no circumstances would a body be burned with fire, and Cambyses' decision was contrary to both Persian and Egyptian customs.

It can be said that Herodotus' "Eastern civilization" represented by Persia is brutal and barbaric, and the confrontation and conflict between Eastern and Western civilizations seems to be natural, laying the groundwork for its later Greco-Persian War.

It seems to narrate history with an objective attitude, but in fact, it is not difficult to see between the lines that the Greeks do not identify with the "Eastern barbarians" represented by Persia.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The Greeks used this as a boundary to erect a wall that distinguished "self" from "other." Thus finding the identity of the "self" in distinguishing the "other".

Diogenes Larseus, in his account of the words and deeds of the philosopher Thales, Book 1, Book 1, quotes the following sentence: I am thankful for fate for three things: First, I am a human being, not an animal.

Second, I am a man and not a woman. Thirdly, I am a Greek and not a barbarian. The Greek-barbarian antagonism pervades the classical texts of the ancient Greeks.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Because in their eyes, the barbarians did not speak Greek, lacked language ability and reason, were barbaric, brutal, autocratic, extravagant and weak in combat, and so on.

In addition to the superiority of the Greek language, the Greek religious factor cannot be ignored, and religion seems to be more able to unite an ethnic group. In Greece, the development of religion and the existence of God were inseparable.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

It is not difficult to see by reading the mythology of ancient Greece: "The ancient Greek religion belonged to polytheistic worship, and in the eyes of the ancient Greeks, everything in the world had gods".

Greek religion is polytheistic and unlike Christianity and Islam, which are monotheistic, Greek religion is more unique polytheistic worship.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

II. The Development of Greek Religion

The first stage is the prehistoric era, when Greek religious worship was still a relatively primitive religion, with figurines symbolizing worship.

The second stage was the Cretan period, when the Greeks began to sacrifice the gods and began to enter the historical stage of Greek religion. The Greeks chose caves in and near the center of settlements or chose caves to bury the dead and perform sacrifices.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

To build temples, each place has its own different characteristics. The more famous of this period is the sacrifice of the goddess Athena by the Greeks.

The third phase was the Mycenaean period, when the Greeks built temples for sacrificial activities and religious worship activities based on temples.

It embodies the beliefs of the Greeks and lays the foundation for the formation of the Greek city-state community and the Greek ethnic identity consciousness in the future. As the settlements of the Greeks expanded, so did the places of religious worship.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

From the initial family-centered worship ritual to the worship sacrifice centered on the entire city-state.

The fourth stage was the time of Homer, during which the development of Greek religion benefited from the widespread circulation of Homer's epics and myths throughout the Greek world, which provoked the worship of the heroes of Homer's time.

Expanded the influence and appeal of the Olympian gods in the Greek world. Greek religion slowly matured.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

III. Characteristics of Greek religion

First, the diversity of Greek religions. The ancient Greeks worshipped many kinds of gods, such as the sun god, the sea god, the flower god, the god of wine, and so on. Correspondingly, these gods have their own unique mythological stories.

Each story embodies a heroic deed, and the Greeks followed the example of these heroes to discipline themselves and develop themselves.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Greek religion is not bound by fixed doctrinal dogmas, unlike other religions such as the Islamic Qur'an, the Christian Bible or the Buddhist Tripitaka.

The diversity of Greek religions determined the flexibility of the way the Greeks believed. In ancient Greece, although there are classic documents such as "Homer's Epic" and "Divine Genealogy", they cannot be called religious classics.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Because they record the development of history and the legends and myths of the characters, there is no specific explanation and explanation of religion.

In ancient Greek religion, because there were many gods, each god had its own specific festival, so the activities held by the Greeks to worship the gods were also varied, spread throughout the year.

The diversity of Greek religion is in line with the free and life-loving characteristics of the Greeks, who maintain a respectful attitude towards all things and bring this religious consciousness to all aspects of life, and the Greek sense of ethnic identity is constantly condensing and deepening.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Second, Greek religion has the characteristics of secularity, and gods and men are homogeneous. In ancient Greece, gods and people were of the same nature, whether in appearance or character, gods and people also had seven emotions and six desires.

The Greeks feared the gods, but this respect and embracy included more positive aspects that led the Greeks to social life and shaped their character.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The cult of Apollo is a typical example, and in an ode to Pythia Apollo, Apollo came from Mount Olympus to Krissa to build his temple.

Next to the temple there is a hot spring where there is a female dragon who received Dupaon, which was specially brought to mankind, and was asexually reproduced by the female Shehra from her brain in retaliation for her husband Zeus.

After that, whoever sees this female dragon, bad luck will befall him. Apollo killed the mother dragon with an arrow. Helios corrupted her body, and from then on the place was called Pito, and the people called Apollo Pythia.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Apollo also recognized the temptation of the goddess of springs, Taipsa, and ordered her to gush clean spring water from now on and build her own altar nearby.

After that, Apollo turned into a dolphin and jumped on a Cretan ship and took them to Delphi to let them manage their own temple.

It is a mixture of multiple legends designed to highlight the greatness and bravery of the god Apollo. It has a very strong cohesive and edifying effect on the character formation and belief of the Greeks.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Third, common religious worship activities. Common religious worship had a very cohesive effect on the ethnic identity of the Greeks.

Each city-state is in a different environment, and the main god that people believe in is also different, and the main god that different city-states believe in is different.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

For example, the protector of Athens is Athena, and the protector of Argos is Hera. But because of common religious beliefs, common religious worship activities are essential.

Thus uniting the Greeks from the original family unit community to the city-state-centered community.

"Tribal festivals, civic assemblies. Gathering all people in the same sacred place to drink, eat together, and live under the same roof helps to foster friendship and affection between people. ”

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

It shows that common religious worship can promote the unity of the tribes in the Greek city-state and the unity of the Greek sense of identity.

Fourth, there was an equal exchange between God and man in Greek religion. The belief system of the ancient Near East during the same period was completely different from that of Greek religion.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

They put more emphasis on God's authority, and people should be humble and obedient before God, without autonomy. On the contrary, in Greek religion, although the status of God is supreme, the relationship between God and man is a relationship of equal exchange.

A single Greek "god" did not have absolute authority over mankind. The ancient Greeks believed that the prestige of a certain god to mankind depended on the respect for the god and whether the god did things within his power.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The Greeks sacrificed, prayed, and sacrificed to the Greek gods so that the gods could give them corresponding shelter and security. It is this special orientation of the relationship between God and man in Greek religion that makes Greece pay more attention to human development, thought, values and status.

Thus gave birth to the Greeks' personal independence, rational consciousness, self-discipline and other beautiful virtues.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Therefore, the freedom and beauty of Greek religion is contrary to the connotation of what is believed in other "barbarian" religions in the Near East, and the Greeks know "self" by devaluing the "other".

Greek religion evolved from the family to the city-state, from simple sacrificial offerings to more complex religious rituals. The process of development and change of religion also reflects the continuous understanding and development of the Greek community of "itself".

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The diversity of Greek religions, their secularity and the unity of the Greeks through common religious worship strengthened the identity of the Greek community as a whole.

Under the religious belief of polytheism, the Greeks developed the beautiful qualities of love of life, bravery, freedom, reasoning and temperance. And the religious civilization of other regions is the religious civilization of the "barbarians".

Barbaric, oppressive, authoritarian, and irrational, the Greek identity was strengthened through religious infiltration. The city-state system and its way of life began to slowly take shape in Greece from the time of antiquity.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

Aristotle said that the general meaning of the city-state is a group of citizens with a sufficient number of people in order to maintain a self-sufficient life: "In classical times, the Greek city-state entered its heyday.

Even under Macedonian rule, the Greek city-states continued to exist as an independent political unit. It can be said that the Greek city-state is another concrete embodiment of the ethnic identity of the ancient Greeks.

The Greek city-states have the following characteristics: First, the Greek city-states present the characteristics of small countries and widows, and independent self-government of each state.

This is due to the unique geographical environment of Greece, the Greek peninsula has many mountains and few large rivers, plains, poor land, and poor agricultural development conditions. The inland area is also blocked by mountains, so transportation is inconvenient.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The eastern coastal zone has a tortuous coastline and many good ports, which is conducive to the development of navigation and trade. Therefore, the Greek city-states also formed distribution patterns of different sizes and shapes, and each state independently implemented a different political system, which was convenient for the management of the affairs of each state.

Most city-states practiced civic politics and regularly elected administrators. Thus, in the city-state, the Greeks became a community, bringing the Greeks together and laying the material foundation for the cultivation of Greek ethnic consciousness.

The Greek city-states practiced the principle of equality of citizens. The essence is "sovereignty in the people" and "taking turns to govern." The development of the Greek city-states could not be separated from the development of the democratization of the political system.

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

In the process of democratization, the participation of the clan system and the power of the clan aristocracy were constantly weakened, and the power of the citizens' assembly was gradually expanded. Athens is a very typical example.

Pericles' "State Funeral Speech" refers to the essential principle of the ancient Greek city-state system: "Power is in the hands of all citizens, not in the hands of a few, and everyone is equal before the law." ”

A brief analysis of the identity process of the Greek ethnic group from ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire

The main institutions of the democracy in the Athenian city-state were the Citizens' Assembly, the Council of 500 and the People's Court, but the decisive Citizens' Assembly. By the time of Pericles, the Citizens' Assembly had developed into a regular political meeting.

Every citizen can participate in some way to discuss and decide major issues, and each citizen has to take turns to participate in jury courts, which expands the participation of citizens in politics and increases the enthusiasm of citizens to participate in politics.

As members of the city-state, they have the right and obligation to make more favorable suggestions and expressions for the better development of the city-state.

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