Greece
Greece today!
Many many have a concrete idea about ancient Greece and the ancient Greek civilization. But way about modern Greece?
It's seldom that people confuse facts, ideas, or even fantasies of theirs about the ancient Greeks, with the life of modern Greeks. Particularly many may wonder which is the popular religion in modern Greece ( the answer ain't Zeus and the other ancient Greek Gods). Other might not know much about the food in Greece today or may wonder about the architecture of the buildings of the Greek cities, the clothing of Greeks, their customs and generally their daily life.
This is the reason I have created this lens. To shade some light on how Greece of the 21st century looks like. Modules are added constantly for the expansion of this lens, which hope to create a more clear image of modern Greece, still comparing it to ancient Greece.
If you have a question that is not answered in this lens - yet! - , move to the the Questions & Answers section and submit it!
Many many have a concrete idea about ancient Greece and the ancient Greek civilization. But way about modern Greece?
It's seldom that people confuse facts, ideas, or even fantasies of theirs about the ancient Greeks, with the life of modern Greeks. Particularly many may wonder which is the popular religion in modern Greece ( the answer ain't Zeus and the other ancient Greek Gods). Other might not know much about the food in Greece today or may wonder about the architecture of the buildings of the Greek cities, the clothing of Greeks, their customs and generally their daily life.
This is the reason I have created this lens. To shade some light on how Greece of the 21st century looks like. Modules are added constantly for the expansion of this lens, which hope to create a more clear image of modern Greece, still comparing it to ancient Greece.
If you have a question that is not answered in this lens - yet! - , move to the the Questions & Answers section and submit it!
Athens Squares
Athens today
In the capital of modern Greece, Athens, one may find numerous completely different areas in the city center. Characteristic of all of them is that each different districts has a square.Syntagma Square( meaning literarly Constitution Square is the most central one, just oposite of the Greek Parliament.
Others though consider Omonia Square the most central location in Athens. Omonia resembles more to the commercial center of the city. Around this square there are many hotels of all types and categories from the Athens' guests.
Another square in Athens centre is Kolokotroni Square, named after a hero of the Greek Revolution of 19821. Apart from a statue of Kolokotronis on this square one will find the old Parliament, which is operating today as a historical museum. It is worth visiting the Athens old Parliament and discover bits of modern history of Greece.
Few other central squares are Avissinias Square and Klathmonos Square, each of which has got its name due to its very special history.
The picture above depicts the Greek Parliament as seen from the famous Syntagma Square
Souvlaki VS Gourmet Food
traditional vs modern
You might have heard of soulvaki, and in case you have visited Greece you definitely would have tasted one of the pita with gyro.For those who don't know what a souvlaki is, i would say it's the Greek fast food.
Everywhere in Greek towns, from Athens to remote villages you will find a place to buy a souvlaki.
But Greek cuisine isn't just souvlaki
You can also find, especially in Athens, many great gourmet restaurants, other serving fusion cuisine, others French or Mediterranean plates, all well taken care after.
So if you want to taste both, there is list of traditional restaurants and one of modern to guide you:
Souvlaki VS Gourmet Restaurants
The picture depicts two souvlakia
Modern Day Greeks
or how Greek men and women look like today
There are people living in Greece that believe that are directly related to the ancient Greeks, and by saying ancient Greeks, I mean the most famous ones, Socrates, Plato, Aristoteles, Pericles etcFrom my point of view, there is no such a connection...but never mind.
Actually, there might be people out there not know how modern Greeks look like. Or they might believe the are just like ancient Greek people.
Well the truth might be disappointing to some.
Modern Greeks look like the rest modern Europeans!
They wear the same clothes as the rest Europeans and have similar habits and lifestyle.
So if you are traveling to Greece in search of people wearing sandals, white tunics and golden wreaths, you won't be able to find them!
There are many Department Stores in Athens and elsewhere, selling modern clothes to modern people. :-)
The picture depicts a famous modern Greek singer, Elena Paparizou, so that everyone can understand how people in Greece dress and look like.
Open Air Cinemas
A summer tradition and THE place to start your evening out, open air cinemas show the previous winter's hits in a friendly atmosphere. The screen looms above an area filled with tables and chairs, where spectators can have a drink while watching the film, which always has an interval! Religion in Greece
Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Athen, Aphrodite....the ancient 12 Greek gods, were very popular in the ancient world. Are they in modern Greece too?Well, the ancient greek relegion does not have many supporters left in Greece today.
The majority of Greeks are christians, and more specificaly are members of the Greek Orthodox Church. There is also a small number of muslims, mostly in northeastern regions of Greece, Roman Catholics and Jews.
Popular Superstitions
The evil eyeThe legacy of centuries of Ottoman invasion, the mati (literally the "eye") borders on the obsessive among the Greeks, who live in condtant fear of becoming matiasmeni (beeing hot by the eveil eye). People suffering from flu, nausea or colds, in particular often say they are matiasmeni. And so, to ward off any malediction they carry a small glass eye set in turquoise blue.
Modern Greece
Learn modern greece
- Athens Nightlife: Bouzoukia Nightclubs
- All on Athens nightlife's heart, bouzoukia nightclubs. History, tips & photos of the most popular way of entertainment in Athens, Greece
- Athens Tourist Guide
- Useful travel guide of athens greece. Includes info about touristic and archaeological sites, shops, restaurants,museums.
- Greek Coffee - Frapee
- Greek Coffee Culture & RecipesBlame it on the sun and the sea. Or the Greek temperament.
Whatever the reasons, in Greece the temptation to go out and see people is all-powerful. Few stay holed up at home unless absolutely necessary.
They are pulled from their family, work ad student lives as if b - Athens By Night
- Explore Athens city Acropolis Athens Athens Plaka & Syntagma Square information for Athens shopping and night life acropolis museum athens
- Ouzo Power
- Explore Athens city Acropolis Athens Athens Plaka & Syntagma Square information for Athens shopping and night life acropolis museum athens
- All night Munchies
- Explore Athens city Acropolis Athens Athens Plaka & Syntagma Square information for Athens shopping and night life acropolis museum athens
- The department stores of Athens
- Athens is a modern city - its department stores which are visited by hundreds of people every day while they offer from clothes and cosmetics to furniture and kitchen equipment.
- The Mall of Athens
- The Mall is the largest department store of Athens - it offers everything from works of art to electric appliances, clothes, shoes, cosmetics and home wear while there are numerous restaurants, fast-foods, cafes and multiplex cinemas.
- Art Galleries and Gift Shops in Athens
- Athens is a modern city hosting dozens of art exhibitions every year while there are also numerous shops offering gifts and special ornaments.
Map of modern Greece
Questions & Answers: Submit them!
about modern greece
Is there an issue about modern Greece you want to find out more about?
Submit your Question below, or a topic that is not yet included in this lens, so that i can write ASAP about it and answer to your questions.
Simply click on "Add to this list" and submit your personal question
For example:
What does the clothing of modern Greeks look like?
It would be useful if you would add your name too next to the question
Do modern Greeks believe in the ancient Greek Gods?
Do Greeks today believe in Zeus, Apollo and the re more...0 points
Greece Poll
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Modern Greece vs Ancient Greece
The question is simple:
Do you prefer ancient or modern Greece?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byModern Greece
chilly dog says:
both because there're both awsome. too bad i can't pick both sides :(
Posted November 30, 2009
Karolina says:
Love Both
Posted October 02, 2009
minkyz says:
Although I love visiting Greece, I do have an avid interest, all be it a new one, for ancient Greece.
Posted May 10, 2009
mariya says:
modern greece
Posted April 30, 2009
dmitria says:
marques is the finest
Posted March 16, 2009
Ancient Greece
poopy says:
it stinks
Posted December 14, 2009
billy bob joe says:
ancient is cooler. I Like myths
Posted December 02, 2009
blakat123 says:
I prefer ancient Greece because it is so entertaining to just read their myth, or look at their artwork. I have always wanted to travel back in time to visit them and ask them so many questions!
Posted November 16, 2009
brian says:
It way cooler
Posted November 03, 2009
Michael says:
poop
Posted October 07, 2009
Greek Island Guides
Mykonos, Santorini, Cyclades by Dana Facaros
Discover the secrets of hassle-free island-hopping more...1 point
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Greece Guidelines
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- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Sep 26, 2009 @ 9:14 am
- Fantastic lens. We want to go there some day. 5 stars*****
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Reply
- John John Sep 8, 2009 @ 10:58 am
- Nice article... However, there is a few mistakes.
The evil eye, was not passed down by the Ottomans, it was in fact a superstition found all over the ancient mediterrenean basin (not only Greece), it was used in front of ancient greek navy ships, many ancient Greek, Pheonician statues and frescos, a thousand years before the Ottomans.
Also the people of ancient Greece did not look like the ancient Greek statues The statues were ment to portay the ideal human. Ancient Greeks looked like modern day mediterranean people. Modern day Greeks are for the most part direct descendants of the Byzantine Greeks who were themselves the heirs of ancient Greece. Ancient Greeks, like many other ancient civilisations, were never a pure race.
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Reply
- bob bob Nov 25, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
- you must come from naxsos
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Reply
- DDinou DDinou Jul 31, 2009 @ 3:41 am
- Very nice
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Reply
- danny danny May 25, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
- I like Greece, I have been there twice
- Load More
Books - Guides - Music on Greece
![Greece: Athens and the Peloponnes, Greek Islands [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GPEFGEZJL._SL75_.jpg)
Greece: Athens and the Peloponnes, Greek Islands [VHS]
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010) 
Hercules (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/02/2010)
Yanni Live - The Concert Event
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 01/02/2010)
Live at the Acropolis
Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 01/02/2010)
Frommer's Greece (Frommer's Complete)
Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 01/02/2010)
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