Time: 11:43:40 CET
Topic: 8. Oriental Immigrants
Tags: history, Greece, civilization, Oriental immigrants, Egypt, Cecrops, Athens, Danaus, Argos, Phoenicia, Cadmus, Thebes, Pelops, Peloponnesus, Hittites, Euphrates, Aegean, culture, art, thought, Attica
The Seeds of Greek Civilization: Borrowing and Innovation
Greek legends tell a fascinating story about the origins of their culture. They credit immigrants from the East, bringing with them the advanced knowledge and refined customs of Eastern civilizations.
Legendary Figures and Eastern Influences:
- Cecrops: Egyptian in origin, Cecrops is credited with founding the Athenian acropolis (Cecropia) and introducing Egyptian arts, learning, and religious practices.
- Danaus: Another figure linked to Egypt, Danaus, along with his fifty daughters, is said to have built the citadel of Argos.
- Cadmus: Hailing from Phoenicia, Cadmus is believed to have brought the alphabet to Greece and established the city of Thebes.
- Pelops: A Phrygian immigrant, Pelops settled in the southern peninsula, which was later named the Peloponnese after him. He is considered the ancestor of famous heroes like Agamemnon and Menelaus.
A Grain of Truth in the Legends:
While these stories may be embellished, they likely reflect a historical reality: the early Greeks adopted elements of Eastern culture through interactions with their Asian cousins.
Evidence for Eastern Influence:
- The rise of Greek city-states on the western coast of Asia Minor coincided with the establishment of Phoenician colonies in Crete and Asia Minor. These Phoenician settlements served as conduits for Egyptian and Babylonian cultural influence.
- The Hittite Empire, with its dominance over Asia Minor, further facilitated the spread of Eastern (Mesopotamian) civilization to the Aegean region.
From Borrowing to Blossoming:
Exposure to Eastern advancements undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping Greek civilization. The "Asiatic Greeks" (Greeks living in Asia Minor) became the bridge, transmitting these cultural seeds to their European kin. On fertile ground, particularly in Attica, these seeds germinated and blossomed into the magnificent flower of classical Greek civilization.
The key takeaway is that Greek culture wasn't born in a vacuum. It arose from a dynamic interplay between Eastern influences and the unique genius of the Greek people.