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Irish Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Greek Revolution and the Violent Birth of Nationalism: A ‘crooked line' leading to war and independence
The Greek Revolution and the Violent Birth of Nationalism Author : Yanni Kotsonis ISBN-13 : 978-069121526 Publisher : Princeton University Press Guideline Price : £30 The bicentenary of the 1821 start of the Greek war of independence from the Ottoman empire has prompted several academic studies, chief of them Mark Mazower's The Greek Revolution: 1821 and the Making of Modern Europe. The war (which continued until 1827) is now referred to as 'the Greek Revolution' because it indicates the creation, on liberal lines, of the first modern state in Europe. Well, almost. The author acknowledges that the 'Septinsular Republic' of the seven principal Ionian islands (1800-1807) was 'the first modern Greek state', even though Greece itself had not yet come into existence, and the islands looked across at a mainland that remained under Turkish rule. Kotsonis excellently details the way that the 'revolution' simmered while the imperial powers of Russia, Britain and France weighed up their territorial options: the war of independence could not have opened if diplomatic conditions had not permitted it. It was a 'crooked line' rather than a straight one, leading directly to war and then independence. The impetus may have come from Greeks in Odesa, but the decisions were made by the great powers, as they were at Vienna in 1815 and Versailles in 1918-19 and, as we see only too horribly today, on the future of Ukraine (where the Greek 'revolution' began!) READ MORE On the nature of 'violence', Kotsonis offers that it was caused, and justified, by the concept of a unified Greek-Christian state whose primary purpose was to defeat and eliminate the Muslim Turk. 'It was a Christian war of liberation from an alien, Oriental power.' [ Old-fashioned Greece has no chance of becoming truly developed Opens in new window ] This seems to explain how Greece became, then and now, the border of Europe and its bastion against immigration, which is largely Muslim. As a historian's argument, this is both simplistic and naive, ignoring as it does the chessboard profile of the Balkans. His story ignores the entire 'Great Idea' (first enunciated in 1844) which aimed to embrace all ethnic Greeks and directly or indirectly caused the Balkan wars of 1912-13 and the disastrous Asia Minor campaign of 1920-22, which humiliated and bankrupted Greece morally and politically. The modern state was created by the fiat of the Russian, British and French empires. The author, although Greek in origin, is a Russian specialist (at New York University) and his bias in this book towards the Russian contribution to Greek independence is overwhelming and at times alarmingly overstated. His assertion that 'Greek independence became a certainty because of Russian arms and diplomatic persistence' is simply unsustainable. One 'Russian' fact is, however, inescapable: the 'revolution' was conceived in Odesa, which, like Taganrog, Nizhyn and Kherson (now fought over by Ukraine and Russia), was originally a Greek city, and remains a matter of concern for diasporic Greece today. Kotsonis's book needs to be read alongside Liberalism after the Revolution: the intellectual foundations of the Greek state c. 1830-1880 by Michalis Sotiropoulos because the emergence of violence and that of liberalism have coincided throughout modern Greek history and have bedevilled the creation of a modern democratic state up to the present day. Kotsonis tells us that 'Solidarity within the elite' had effectively suppressed discontent, which was certainly true of the well-established landowners and tax-gatherers under Ottoman rule of mainland Greece. It remains true of conservative Greece today, and explains the virtual exclusion of the Left from political life. It also explains the continuing presence of discontent and the undercurrent of violence (which frequently breaks the surface) within the Greek state which is, admittedly, not within the scope of this book. In Kotsonis's thesis, war and nationalism were synonymous, but he seems to discount the continuing presence of violence. To refer in his epilogue to Pontic Greeks coming into the new state, without referring to the violence (both physical and mental) which that influx has occasioned, is to limit his argument about how 'violence' exists in the modern state. Kotsonis acknowledges that the consequences of creating the state of Greece 'are still with us' and that the status of modern Greece is 'up for grabs'. He can say that '1821 is a current event' and that 'the Revolution is still with us and there are new stories to be told', but he doesn't tell them, although his references to his research make it clear that he knows what they are. The insistence throughout this book on the polarisation of Christian and Muslim conceals the fact that languages, faiths, cultures and, indeed, landscapes themselves can never be defined by nation states (as Kapka Kassabova shows in her recent Elixir: in the Valley at the End of Time). Kotsonis's writing is casual, and refreshingly unacademic, but the lack of a bibliography is disappointing, and the author's suggestions for further reading are surprisingly superficial. Richard Pine's books include Greece Through Irish Eyes (2015) and The Eye of the Xenos: Letters about Greece (2021). He contributes Letter from Greece to The Irish Times.
Metro
04-05-2025
- Metro
The lesser-known Greek 'floating village' with return flights for just £100
Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Santorini: all stunning Greek islands we've heard of time and time again. But if you're in search of an island less travelled, then look no further than Kastos. Boasting unspoiled nature and tranquillity in abundance, it's a brilliant alternative to the likes of popular destinations like Corfu. Home to less than 100 residents, Kastos feels like a 'floating village' according to travel expert Claire Shields of Sunsail, a yacht charter company. 'With only one small harbour, a cluster of stone houses and a few tavernas, time seems to slow down here,' she says. If you're a sucker for a beach and turquoise water, you'll be right at home on this small island. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. When surrounded by glistening ocean there's one must do, and that's water sports. From swimming to snorkelling and scuba diving to sailing, take the opportunity to do it all. Paralia Vali beach is just a short walk from the port and is the most popular beach, while Limni beach is a particularly good one for swimming. Babakia and Vrisidia are both on the east coast of the island while Aberlaki is on the south coast – all are accessible by foot or by car. Agios Emilianos is also a must visit because it's where Fokotrypa (Seal Hole) can be found – a small cave with a beach inside it. It's full of history too, with archaeological findings from as far back as the Roman and Early Byzantine years. Kastos was also a refuge for fighters and civilians during the Greek Revolution, when Greeks revolted against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. There's even a little Marine Museum – 'Home of the Fin Whale' – which holds the skeleton of a young fin whale which washed up on the shore of the island in the 70s. The quaint little sea port of Kastos offers stunning sunset drinks at the Windmill Bar, which has panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding islands. Mylos Bar is another spot with a 'spectacular' and 'phenomenal' view of the Ionian sea, according to Tripadvisor users. El.a Cafe Bar also came highly recommended by many users too. User iskrapari wrote: 'Beautiful island Kastos, but it is upgraded by this particular bar. It is not only the magnificent view from the balcony but… warm and friendly… excellent drinks and especially the rock, jazz, blues dance that make up its uniqueness.' A mini-market behind the main harbour has the essentials you'll need like fruit and veg but don't expect to find any cash points, or chemists. Card payments aren't typically accepted here, so make sure to take out plenty of cash before you go. While you're staying on Kastos, you should take the opportunity to visit its neighbour Kalamos, via ferry or boat. Covered in pine forests, it's a chance to really switch off and connect with nature. Travel and yachting expert Claire says: 'Sailing around Kalamos means discovering quiet beaches, sea caves, and perfect little swim with no one else around. 'It's also great for slow living. You will not find big beach bars or resorts, just local tavernas with fresh fish, homemade wine and homegrown vegetables.' If you're a keen walker, the Kalamos mountain range will give you some breathtaking views, while some creeks are great to explore via kayak or small boat. You can also explore the two villages Kalamos on the east coats, and Episkopi on the northwest coast. Kalamos is your best bet for restaurants, cafes and shops, with a small promenade and some limited hotels. Episkopi has a harbour, a single restaurant and a small cluster of houses, although its near to the ruins of a Venetian castle which is great to explore. Getting to this little hidden gem isn't as simple its more popular counterparts but it's not ridiculously pricey either. More Trending You'll want to fly from London Gatwick to Preveza airport, also known as Aktion National Airport in Greece. It'll cost you £108 per person for a return flight with easyJet, and your journey will take around three-and-a-half hours. This will land you just 6.7 kilometres from Preveza and 20km from the nearby island of Lefkada. Once your out of the airport, you'll need to get a transfer to Mytikas, either by taxi or bus. By taxi will set you back around £15 but you'll get to the port in just 11 minutes, while a bus is more expensive and will take hours because of the long-winded route. Once you catch the ferry (which only operates once daily) it'll take 40 minutes before you finally reach your destination. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I thought bird-watching was for pensioners until I flew 8,000 miles from home MORE: The 'jaw-dropping' Greek beach that's just four hours from UK named world's best MORE: I trekked Earth's second-largest rainforest to meet one of our closest ancestors
