The Birth of a Nation-State

1071. In Manzikert, part of modern Turkey, a new Muslim dynasty, the Seljuks, manages to dominate in a battle against the Byzantines - a historical event that marks the beginning of the end for the Byzantine Empire.

Following a 53-day siege, Constantinople falls into the hands of the Ottomans on March 29, 1453. With the capital of the Byzantine Empire now taken, it’s only a matter of time before Greece is also conquered.

In order to fill up the empire’s treasure chests after conquering new territories, Ottomans imposed heavy taxes to their non-Muslim subjects. In Greece, tax collection was as ruthless as it could be.

Under the Ottoman rule, a long period of intellectual darkness began in Greece. With almost all educated people and scientists having fled to Europe, the difficult work of the preservation of Greek letters fell on the Church.

With intellectuals away from Greece, Church took on the role of the watchful guardian of the Greek language. But equally important for the spreading of Greek language and culture were folk poetry and songs.

Before the Revolution of 1821, Greece’s population was a mosaic of people of different religions. Amid the extremely difficult life conditions and numerous restrictions, Greeks tried to preserve their traditional way of life.