Traces the rich social, cultural, economic and political history of the Greeks. Often referred to as the 'Long Nineteenth Century', this period in Greek history conventionally begins with the war of independence in 1821. However, this book adopts a broader geographical scope, encompassing the Greeks of Russia and of the Ottoman Empire. The story therefore begins earlier than the war of independence and extends later into the 20th century. This period witnessed the establishment of a Greek nation state which had a profound impact on the Greeks of the Diaspora. As well as looking at identity and migration, this volume examines some key themes that were especially important in shaping the development of Greek culture during the 19th century, including the impact of the formation of the nation state, the formation of multi tiered, multinational social structure, and the development of a transnational Greek culture. It is an interdisciplinary approach that bridges history, anthropology and archaeology. It emphasises social history, including an in depth discussion of Greek rural society and economy.
It brings Greek history and Ottoman history into dialogue in a way that hasn't been done before. It includes over 70 figures - maps, illustrations, tables and line drawings - which illustrate the key aspects of Greek social life.