#philhellenism

The Greek War of Independence, which began on March 25, 1821 and lasted nine gruelling years, immediately captured the imagination of Europe. If the governments remained immovable, their people did not. In the most heroic manifestation of philhellenism, as many as 1,200 volunteers from across Europe came to fight alongside the Greeks in their struggle against the Ottoman Empire.

Philhellenism. The word emerged almost spontaneously at the beginning of the 19th century to describe the surge of international sympathy that accompanied the Greeks in their plight. Much of this had its origins in the rediscovery of Ancient Greek culture, refracted through a heavily romanticized lens, that washed over an entire generation of Western artists and intellectuals. The logical endpoint of this desiderium was an implied moral obligation for Europe to restore liberty to Greece as a kind of payment for the civilization which Greeks had once given to the world.

Full Moon Festival Athens Greece

The Massacre at Chios (1824) by Eugène Delacroix

Gennadius Library to celebrate the bicentennial of the 1821 Greek War of Independence with an exhibition honoring American Philhellenism  - by Maria Georgopoulou

The exhibition, which will also be available online, is based on rare archival materials from the Gennadius Library as well as paintings and philhellenic objects from museums and private collections in Greece.

When, in 1821, the Greeks rose in rebellion after almost four centuries of Ottoman rule, Americans helped to arouse public sentiment and sympathy in favor of Greece, raised money and provisions to aid the cause, and lobbied their representatives to recognize Hellenic independence.

Philhellenes sought to convince the American public that Greece, as the birthplace of western civilization, deserved to be resurrected as a free and democratic state. Due to the government policy of neutrality established by the Monroe doctrine (December 1823), it was Americans as individuals who gathered to support the Greek independence movement and established philhellenic societies throughout the United States, culminating in the so-called “Greek fever.”

The cruelty of the war, especially the massacre of Chios, and the death of Lord Byron in Missolonghi inspired many young Americans to join the Greek revolutionaries.

Emphasis is given to a little known topic: the role Greek emancipation played in the progress toward the abolition of slavery in the United States. By highlighting the impact of one of the most famous statues by an American sculptor (Hiram Powers’s The Greek Slave), the exhibit seeks to enlighten viewers about the empathetic connection between Greek victims of Ottoman oppression and African slaves in America.

It is told of Pyrrhus, that when first, from an adjacent hill or watchtower which gave him a prospect of the Roman army, he descried them drawn up in order, he observed, that he saw nothing barbarian-like in this barbarian line of battle. And all who came near Titus [of the Quinctii Flaminini], could not choose but say as much of him, at their first view. For they who had been told by the Macedonians of an invader, at the head of a barbarian army, carrying everywhere slavery and destruction on his sword's point; when in lieu of such an one, they met a man, in the flower of his age, of a gentle and humane aspect, a Greek in his voice and language, and a lover of honor, were wonderfully pleased and attracted; and when they left him, they filled the cities, wherever they went, with favorable feelings for him, and with the belief that in him they might find the protector and asserter of their liberties ...

... It was now the time of the celebration of the Isthmian games; and the seats around the racecourse were crowded with an unusual multitude of spectators; Greece, after long wars, having regained not only peace, but hopes of liberty, and being able once more to keep holiday in safety. A trumpet sounded to command silence; and the crier, stepping forth amidst the spectators, made proclamation, that the Roman Senate, and Titus Quinctius, the proconsular general, having vanquished King Philip and the Macedonians, restored the Corinthians, Locrians, Phocians, Euboeans, Achaeans of Phthiotis, Magnetians, Thessalians, and Perrhaebians to their own lands, laws, and liberties; remitting all impositions upon them, and withdrawing all garrisons from their cities. At first, many heard not at all, and others not distinctly, what was said; but there was a confused and uncertain stir among the assembled people, some wondering, some asking, some calling out to have it proclaimed again. When, therefore, fresh silence was made, the crier raising his voice, succeeded in making himself generally heard; and recited the decree again. A shout of joy followed it, so loud that it was heard as far as the sea. The whole assembly rose and stood up; there was no further thought of the entertainment; all were only eager to leap up and salute and address their thanks to the deliverer and champion of Greece ...

... But for Titus, the sports being now quite at an end, so beset was he on every side, and by such multitudes, that had he not, foreseeing the probable throng and concourse of the people, timely withdrawn, he would scarce, it is thought, have ever got clear of them. When they had tired themselves with acclamations all about his pavilion, and night was now come, wherever friends or fellow-citizens met, they joyfully saluted and embraced each other, and went home to feast and carouse together. And there, no doubt, redoubling their joy, they began to recollect and talk of the state of Greece, what wars she had incurred in defense of her liberty, and yet was never perhaps mistress of a more settled or grateful one that this which other men's labors had won for her ...

... But the returns which attended Titus Quinctius and the Romans, for their beneficence to the Greeks, terminated not in empty praises only; for these proceedings gained them, deservedly, credit and confidence, and thereby power, among all nations, for many not only admitted the Roman commanders, but even sent and entreated to be under their protection; neither was this done by popular governments alone, or by single cities; but kings oppressed by kings, cast themselves into these protecting hands. Insomuch that in a very short time (though perchance not without divine influence in it) all the world did homage to them. Titus himself thought more highly of his liberation of Greece than of any other of his actions, as appears by the inscription with which he dedicated some silver targets, together with his own shield, to Apollo at Delphi: —

Ye Spartan Tyndarids, twin sons of Jove, Who in swift horsemanship have placed your love, Titus, of great Aeneas' race, leaves this In honor of the liberty of Greece.

He offered also to Apollo a golden crown, with this inscription:—

This golden crown upon thy locks divine, O blest Latona's son, was set to shine By the great captain of the Aenean name. O Phoebus, grant the noble Titus fame!

My father is a history teacher. This afternoon he came to me all excited, and told me that today he explained that the Philhellenes (a group of Europeans who, from deep appreciation to the ancient Greek culture, moved to Greece, wore traditional clothing and fought for Greece’s independence) were the Weeaboos of Greece during the 19th century. 

Thank you, dad. 

Strolling the storied streets of Athens has always been a remarkable history lesson.

Now, the street signs themselves are literally loaded with illuminating insights into the origins of modern Athens.

“Walking with the Philhellenes” - a brand new addition to the cityscape of Athens - showcases the fêted foreigners who helped secure Greece’s independence from centuries of Ottoman rule.

In a bid to ennoble those great Grecophiles who contributed valiantly to the success of the Greek Revolution two centuries ago, the City of Athens has mounted 62 new smart signs on streets that are named after 29 key personalities of the Philhellenic Movement.