Imagining Greece The European rediscovery of Greek culture and its impact on the emerging Greek identity Late 18th c. -Greeks abroad influenced by: Enlightenment, Revolutions -Reflections on nation/ identity Early 19th c. -Struggle for Independence, revolution, 1821 -Philhellenism Greek Enlightenment (1750-1830) Subdivided into three periods I. 1750-1774 Important figures of this period: -Iosipos Moisiodax (produced philosophical work, The Apology) -Eugenios Voulgaris Vatopedi Monastery, Home of the Athonite Academy from 1749–1821 Greek Enlightenment (1750-1830) II. 1774-1820 Important figures: -Dimitrios Katartzis -Rigas Velestinlis III. 1820-30 -Adamantios Korais Greece supported by Adamandios Korais and Rigas Velestinlis The Greek Enlightenment, mid 1700s-1821 Adamantions Korais: scholar, language reformer, wrote “Memorandum on the Present Situation of the Greeks” (of political interest – issue of archaic and demotic versions of Greek) Friends of Korais (1811-1821): Hermes the Learned (literary magazine promoting Greek education) Greek Romanticism(1831-1880) On the glories of the Greek Revolution/War of Independence -Dionysios Solomos, national poet, is influenced by early Romanticism and Byron -Famous for poems: Hymn to Liberty (The first two stanzas constitute the Greek national anthem), Ode to the Death of Lord Byron, and The Free Besieged Dionysios Solomos, author of Hymn to Liberty I know you by the dreadful edge of the sword I know you by the gaze Stanzas from that measures the land with force. Hymn to Born from the sacred Liberty/ bones of the Greeks Greek and brave as in the old times National Hail, oh hail, Liberty! Anthem And brave as in the old times Hail, oh hail, Liberty! And brave as in the old times Hail, oh hail, Liberty! Greek Romanticism(1831-1880) - Western literature/ influences - Greeks / Diaspora - Translation of key texts/ education / Greek readership - Greek Literature/ major works Lord Byron (1788-1824) Romantic Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) Mary Godwin-Shelley (1797-1851) Prometheus Myth Literature Theatre & film Politics Romanticism Revolution .