A brief description of Greece for schoolchildren. Modern history of Greece

A selection of material on familiarizing older children with the outside world on the topic "Journey to Greece"

Goals:

Introduce children to Greece (geographical location, culture, history, mythology, Olympic Games).
Improve your visual skills and abilities.
Develop curiosity, fine and gross motor skills.

Equipment:

World map.
Pictures: flag of Greece, olive and olives, Mount Olympus, Zeus, Greek theater, mythical creatures.
Coloring pages "Greeks", "Olympic rings".
Glasses of water, jam, spoons.
Cardboard, plasticine, sticks.
Shell painted on one side with black paint.
Masks.
Cut into clean silhouette images of a jug, glue, sheets of paper.
Scissors, blanks for cutting a torch, a stapler, red napkins.
Balls.
Audio recordings: A. Usachev "Greece", "Sirtaki", anthem Olympic Games.

Stroke:

Today we will go on a trip to Ancient Greece.

There is an ancient country on our earth, a country where everything resembles a fairy tale, a legend, a myth. This is the country of Greece, the land of dark rocks, blue seas, whitewashed houses, ancient ruins, ruins of ancient churches. Most main city Greece - Athens.
As in every country, Greece has its own flag (show the country of Greece and the flag on the map).

In ancient Greece, both men and women wore chitons. This garment consists of two square pieces of fabric, fastened with clasps at the shoulders and tied with a belt at the waist.

Color the chitons

Children color the drawing of the chiton with colored pencils.

Greece is a hospitable country. Every year it is visited by millions of tourists. Tourists like beautiful nature, sun-drenched beaches and the rich history of Greece.

Listening to the excerpt "Greece" by A. Usachev from the series "Entertaining Geography".

How do the Greeks greet guests and each other?
Kalimera - good afternoon (morning) until 12 noon.
Kalispera - good afternoon (evening) after 12 o'clock.
How would you greet now, at this time of day?
Yasas - hello (in the full sense of the word).

Make a jam drink

According to Greek tradition, the guest is first served with a little jam on a saucer and a glass of cold water. And only then are they treated to coffee and cakes.

(Children are invited to add jam to the water, stir and try).

It is not surprising that in such a hospitable country there are many holidays.
In addition to delicious food, there are many dances at the holidays. According to tradition, the Greeks dance, standing in a circle and holding hands.

Dance "Sirtaki"

Children dance in a circle, holding hands as shown by an adult.

In ancient Greece, only boys went to school. Girls sometimes learned to write and read at home. At school, the boys learned to play musical instruments, read, count and write. They wrote with sharp sticks on wooden boards coated with wax.

Creation

A piece of cardboard is covered with a layer of plasticine, and then with a stick to scratch a picture or letters.

Let's play those games that children in Greece play before and now.

The Greek game Ostrakinda is an analogue of the modern game Heads or Tails. They took a shell, painted it with black paint on one side - it was “night”. The unpainted side was "Day". The children were divided into two teams - "Day" and "Night". Then the shell was tossed, and the team whose color fell out would chase the other team.

Game "Morra"

One of the players hid his hands behind his back, and the second had to guess how many fingers the first player shows behind his back. The one who guessed the most times won.

In ancient Greece, tragedies and comedies were staged in the theater. All roles, even women's, were performed by men. The actors were wearing masks. The Greeks watched performances in huge open-air theatres. The benches for the spectators were raised in rows along the slope of the hill, and the stage was at the bottom.

Dramatization "Put on a mask and portray your character"

Children put on masks and complement their image with gestures, movements, sounds.

The poor soils of Greece were suitable only for grazing livestock and not at all suitable for growing grain. But on the mountain slopes generously lit by the sun, grapes and olives ripened well. Olives are very popular. The Greeks even issued a law commanding the execution of anyone who cut down an olive tree. Under the hot sun, the Greeks received large harvests of grapes. The collected fruits were served at the table or made wine from them, pouring grapes into huge wooden vats and crushing them with their feet.
On ships - triaras, the Greeks carried wine, olive oil, and grain for sale. These goods were transported in large vessels - amphoras. (Show).

The Greeks were skilled potters. They painted various ceramic vessels - vases, jugs, bowls, pots. These paintings, like pictures in books, can tell a lot about the life of the ancient Greeks.

The game "Glue the broken jug"

From paper puzzle pieces, children assemble and then stick a jug on a blank sheet of paper.

The ancient Greeks took care of their health. They attended gyms and went in for sports. Greek doctors often used medicinal plants to treat the sick. Hippocrates, who is called the father of medicine, was a famous ancient Greek physician. He came up with an oath, which doctors pronounce even today, pledging to help all the sick.

The birthplace of the Olympic Games is Ancient Greece, namely the sanctuary of Olympia, revered by the ancient Greeks, located in the western part of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. The fire of modern games is still lit here.

Manual labor "Torch with Olympic flame"

Children cut out a blank from which they roll a "bundle" - a torch. Then they take a red napkin, crumple it and put it into the “torch” - “light the fire”.

The Olympic Games were the oldest and most important competitions. The games went on for five days. On the first day, competitions were held in all types of running, on the second - in pentathlon, and on the third - in wrestling, fisticuffs. It was forbidden to scratch out the opponent's eyes and bite. Opponents just fought and fought - without division into weight categories, without rounds. For violation of the rules, the judge beat the violator with a stick.

The fourth day was completely given to the children. Running distances for them were two times shorter than for adults. On the fifth day, chariot races drawn by four horses and horse races in a circle were arranged. Athletes performed naked, completely without clothes. The winners were not awarded medals. They put a wreath of olive leaves on their heads and handed them a jug of olive oil.

In the year of the games, messengers passed through Greece and its colonies, announcing the day the games began. All wars stopped for the duration of the games. In Olympia, several grandiose structures, sports grounds, and temples were built.

Women could not participate in the Olympic Games, they did not even appear near Olympia during the games. For them, a separate holiday was arranged - Geraya. It was held every four years in honor of the goddess Hera and consisted of a running race for girls. The winner received an olive wreath and edible supplies, in particular, meat. The winners were given wreaths of wild olives, palm branches, decorated with woolen ribbons.

The Olympics are still held today. Only now not only Greeks compete, but athletes from all over the world. These five multi-colored rings are the Olympic emblem. The intertwined rings symbolize the unification of all five continents into the Olympic movement. Europe is blue, America is red, Africa is black, Australia is green and Asia is yellow.

Creativity "Olympic rings"

Children color the Olympic rings. And then they make a flag by attaching a painted sheet to a cocktail straw.

Greek children loved to play various games with the ball. Do you know what balls were made of in Ancient Greece? From the bladder of pigs! It was inflated, then shaped by holding it over a fire. Sometimes such balls were painted for beauty.

Relays with balls

(Held to the sound of the Olympic anthem).

1. "Throw the ball into the basket" (throwing).
2. "Pass the ball" (coordination of movements).
3. "Jump with the ball" (jumps).
4. "Run for the ball" (running).
5. "Catch, throw, fall on come on" (throw and catch).

In ancient Greece, various legends were composed about beautiful and powerful gods and goddesses, brave and wise heroes, and fantastic monsters.

Hearing the summer thunder grumbling and rumbling angrily in the thunderclouds, the ancient Greeks were afraid of these sounds and, in order to explain to themselves where they come from, what do you think they imagined? And they imagined a huge, powerful, stern, but still human-like creature, which, probably, rages there, beyond the clouds. But we know where these sounds come from. Can you tell? (Answers of children).

Seeing how every day the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, sometimes so warm and gentle, sometimes withering and cruel, they also imagined someone. Who do you think they represented instead of the sun? They imagined a humanoid being, a god, driving around the sky in a dazzlingly bright chariot (demonstration). Interfering with truth and fiction one after another, they invented and told amazing stories to each other. These stories we call the Greek word "myths".

The Greeks believed that their gods and goddesses lived on top of Mount Olympus. And the mighty Zeus reigns on the bright Olympus, surrounded by other gods. Zeus was considered the ruler of the sky and the sun (offer to approach Mount Olympus). Next to Zeus, his wife Hera, also the goddess of the sky, rules in the sky. There are many other gods here.

There is neither rain nor snow on Olympus; always there is a bright, joyful summer. King Zeus sits on a high golden throne.
From Olympus, Zeus sends his gifts to people and establishes order and laws on earth. Two large vessels stand at the gates of the palace of Zeus. In one vessel are gifts of good, in the other - of evil. Zeus draws good and evil from them and sends them to people.

Fizminutka

The gods live on Olympus.
Hands up, wide legs.
Zeus is the most important among them.
We make slopes smoothly.
All there under the supervision of Zeus.
Hands down and feet together.
Stand on toes, on the heel
And finished charging.

In Greek myths, heroes have to fight amazing creatures:

The Minotaur - half bull, half man - lived in a labyrinth and devoured people.
The Sphinx is a winged creature with the head of a woman and the body of a lion. He asked passers-by a difficult riddle and, if they could not guess, he devoured them.
Gorgons - winged women with snakes instead of hair, with their eyes turned all living things into stone. Once they were beautiful women, but they upset the goddess Athena, who turned them into terrible monsters.
Centaurs are half-horse people living in the forest and mountains. Some centaurs helped the heroes, others were hostile.
Cerberus - a three-headed dog with a snake tail - guarded the entrance to the underworld. He did not bite those who entered there. His task was to ensure that no one came back.
Pegasus - a winged horse - he helped the heroes.

"The sixth feat of Hercules: the Augean stables"

The insidious king came up with tasks for Hercules such as to destroy him. But it turned out the opposite. With each feat, the glory of the hero and people's love for him grew. After all, each victory saved people from any of the misfortunes that made life difficult and dangerous. And Eurystheus came up with a task for Hercules, the fulfillment of which was supposed to disgrace the hero.

King Avgiy had innumerable flocks, which he kept in a huge pen. There were three hundred stubborn horses, white as snow, two hundred red as purple, twelve white as swans. And one bull, the most beautiful, shone like a star. Only every year it became more and more difficult to figure out which bull was which color. The fact is that he never removed manure from the barnyard! And all the beautiful animals seemed to be of the same color - dirty ...

Eurystheus ordered the hero to clear the Augean stables. Hercules came to Augeus and said:
- I'll clean everything in a day. But for this you must give me a tenth of the cattle.
Augeas laughed and agreed. He knew that in his stable and barnyard it would not be possible to manage even in a year.

And Hercules with his club broke open the stone fence of the pens from two opposite sides. Then he filled up the beds of two rivers with stones. Water rushed into the pens, carried away all the dirt in a few hours, washed the animals. Countless bulls, cows, horses appeared in all their glory! And Hercules did not even get his hands dirty with manure! He came to Avgiy and said:

I've done my job, now pay the price, oh Augeas!
And the king expelled Hercules. And he returned home with nothing.

About everything in the world:

In 1930, the film "The Rogue Song" about the kidnapping of a girl in the Caucasus mountains was released in the US. Actors Stan Laurel, Lawrence Tibbett and Oliver Hardy played local crooks in this film. Surprisingly, these actors are very similar to the characters...

Section materials

Classes for the younger group.

Brief information about the country

Date of Independence

Official language

Greek

Form of government

Parliamentary republic

Territory

131,957 km² (95th in the world)

Population

10 772 967 people (75th in the world)

Timezone

EET (UTC+2, summer UTC+3)

The largest city

$294.339 billion

Internet domain

Telephone code

- one of the most amazing and unique in its beauty countries in Europe. Located in the south of the continent, on the Balkan Peninsula, it is small both in terms of territory - the area, together with the islands adjacent to the coast of Asia Minor, is 131,994 km², and in terms of population, which numbers 10.3 million people. However, in terms of historical, cultural, archaeological and linguistic heritage, not every large state can compare with Greece. The capital of Athens is the oldest and most beautiful city in the world, a metropolis with a population of 4 million, founded around the 7th millennium BC.

Video: Greece

Basic moments

Hellas - as the Greeks themselves call their homeland - is filled with various sights, a significant part of which dates back to ancient times. No wonder they say that in Greece, antiquities are found literally at every turn. Wherever you find yourself - in Athens or Delphi, in Thebes or Meteora, on the holy Mount Athos or in rock monasteries - everywhere you will get acquainted with interesting monuments, original folk traditions. Here, in the homeland of Homer and Pythagoras, Sophocles and Democritus, Aristotle, Euripides, Plato and others famous people past, you will get such vivid impressions that you will definitely want to come here again!

Recognized as the cradle of Western civilization and the place where the first democratic states in history appeared, Greece became the center of the birth of the very concept of "democracy". In Ancient Hellas, every adult citizen took an active part in the discussion of public affairs and could be elected to any administrative, military or judicial position. Traditions laid down in antiquity are preserved in Greek society today.

Greece is also a gentle sun, excellent beaches, warm sea with crystal clear waters. clean water and picturesque islands, the most popular of which are Corfu, Rhodes, and Crete. It is not for nothing that the country is called a paradise for tourism and recreation. The mild subtropical climate is in amazing harmony with the exquisite beauty of nature. It is unlikely that anywhere else you will see such pretty villages perched on the mountain slopes, or red-tiled houses immersed in dense greenery. And it does not matter at all for what purpose the traveler sets foot on this blessed land - to deeply study its historical heritage or just lazily lie on the beach. One thing is clear: in Greece, everyone will find something to their liking and will never regret the trip.

Greek cities

All cities in Greece

Sights of Greece

All sights of Greece

Geographic features

Greece, which is also called the country of the gods, the birthplace of philosophy and the Olympic Games, has a very interesting and very advantageous geographical location. Perhaps no European state owns so many islands - there are more than two thousand of them here (although only 227 of them are inhabited). Some - for example, the famous Lesvos - are located directly off the coast of Turkey. The islands account for almost 20% of the country's territory, which is quite a lot.

Greece is washed by four seas: Mediterranean, Ionian, Libyan (southern coast of Crete) and Aegean. The last one can be called inland sea» of this country, the entire coast of which is picturesquely indented by bays. It is enough to look at the map to make sure that no other state on the continent has similar outlines.

Mainland Greece is conditionally divided into several regions - these are Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly and Attica, Phthiotis, Phokis and others related to Central Greece. Geographically, the Ionian Islands can be attributed to the central part of the country. The largest Greek island is Crete, the second largest is Euboea, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge across the Evrip Strait. The Peloponnese is the largest peninsula recognized as the center of the most ancient civilization in Europe. Here is the famous Corinth Canal, dug by a French company in the 19th century.

An interesting fact: the farthest distance from the sea coast, no matter where in Greece you go, does not exceed 100 kilometers.

natural landscape

Greek nature is distinguished by an enviable diversity, which became possible due to the confluence of factors such as geographical location, features local climate, the presence of large mountain ranges, a large length of the coastline.

Mountains occupy about 60% of the landscape of Greece, which makes it one of the highest mountainous countries in Europe after Norway and Albania. Moreover, unlike the named states, the mountain ranges of Hellas almost all descend to the sea. The tallest Mountain peak- Olympus (2915 meters), it is also the most famous in ancient Greek myths as the abode of the gods, in particular, the Thunderer Zeus. from other large and beautiful mountains Greece can be named such as Ida (Psiloritis) and the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in Crete, Grammos and Smolikas in Macedonia, Taigetos in the Peloponnese, Pindos and Atamanika Ori in the Epirus region.

Water resources Greece is represented by a combination of natural and artificial lakes, deltas and estuaries, waterfalls and lagoons. The largest body of water in the country is Lake Trihonida, located in the region of Aetolia, in Western Greece. You can not ignore Lake Vouliagmeni in Attica (it is known for its thermal mineral waters), the artificial lake Tauropos in Thessaly, which is surrounded by dense coniferous forests and of course the most alpine lake– Drakolimni, located on the slopes of Timfi and Zmolikas at an altitude of 2050 meters. Of the rivers, the longest is Aliakmonas (297 km), which is inferior in length to Aheoloom, Pinios, Nestos, Efros, Strymonas, Alfios, Arahfos.

The originality of the natural landscape of Greece is given by local caves, many of which have internal lakes, "thickets" of stalactites and stalagmites, which attract here not only ordinary tourists, but also professional speleologists. It will be interesting in the caves and historians, ethnographers and culturologists, because they are inextricably linked with the plots of ancient Greek myths. And the caves themselves are archaeological sites that can reveal many secrets of the Paleolithic era. Not everyone knows, but the famous artifact - the skull of an ancient man, considered a transitional form from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens - was discovered in one of these caves in Greece. It is called Petralona and is located on the Chalkidiki peninsula.

Gorges or canyons, with which the local landscape is literally dotted, deserve special mention. They cannot but impress with their menacingly towering sheer cliffs, water streams and different types birds and animals that for many centuries prefer to settle here. The most famous Greek gorge - Samaria - is located on the island of Crete. It can be easily crossed, and many travelers take advantage of this opportunity. The breathtaking beauty of the Vikos Gorge in the national park in the mountains of Pindus (Pindos) in the northeast of Epirus. It is located on the southern slope of Mount Tumfi, reaching a length of 20 kilometers.

And finally, two water parks in Greece. The first - it is called Alonissos and is located on the islands of the Northern Sporades in the Aegean Sea - was declared a protected area by the authorities in 1992. The endangered species of Mediterranean seals, Monachus Monachus, lives here. The second is national marine park on Zakynthos, one of the Ionian Islands, which received the status of a protected area seven years later. It is here that such a type of turtle as Caretta Caretta is mainly bred.

Cities and islands of Greece

Between historical Attica and the Peloponnese, the Saronic Islands are secluded - an archipelago, the rest on which is usually chosen by those tourists who would not like to swim in the sea far from Athens. Only here, at the peak of the season, the local beaches are crowded, especially on the island of Aegina, which may not be to everyone's liking. But there is a great coast here, not to mention the fact that getting a bronze tan can be combined with visiting attractions, such as the Temple of Aphaia, which has been perfectly preserved to this day.

The Peloponnese itself, against the background of the rest of Greece, looks as if apart. In the sense that his landscapes are most often deserted, which, however, is compensated by the presence of priceless historical monuments. This is the citadel of Agamemnon Mycenae, and the theater in Epidaurus, and the House of Helen and Menelaus in Sparta, and the palace of Nestor in Pylos, and the same Corinth, from where one of the writers of the New Testament, the Apostle Paul turned with messages to the Corinthians. Acquaintance with the sights can be perfectly combined with relaxing on local beaches, which are considered perhaps the best in all of Southern Europe.

If you have not forgotten from your school history lessons where the birthplace of Apollo and his sister Artemis is, then you guessed that our story will be about the islands of the Cyclades. From them, spread out in the southern part Aegean Sea, breathes some kind of serenity and tranquility. But the Cyclades archipelago is associated, first of all, with the island of Mykonos, whose coastline reaches 89 km. Its hallmarks are ancient narrow streets and a very modern boutique hotel - the most expensive in Greece. An important transport hub in the archipelago is Paros, famous for its beaches and ample opportunities for aquatic species sports.

There are places in sunny Greece where the “Turkish coast” is within easy reach - these are the Dodecanese Islands, which are part of the Southern Sporades archipelago and stretch along the chain west coast peninsulas of Asia Minor, almost closely adjacent to the territory neighboring state. The islands of Rhodes and Kos are the most famous of them. Popularity came to them thanks to first-class beaches and hotels, and, of course, rich excursion programs- especially in the historical part of the city of Rhodes, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Groups of tourists, among whom there are many representatives of Christian denominations, tend to visit legendary island Patmos, which is called the "Jerusalem of the Aegean", and this interest is quite understandable. It is here that the cave is located, where John the Theologian wrote down the divine "Revelation", which became the last book of the biblical New Testament. And this place itself is also called the "cave of the Apocalypse."

One of the most picturesque in Greece is, of course, the Ionian Islands. The lush greenery, harmoniously combined with the azure shades of the sea surface, creates the impression of a real Garden of Eden, and at some point it may seem that the Lord has forgiven the sins of mankind and returned them to their original conditions of existence, as in the biblical Eden. The real pearl of the archipelago is the island of Corfu - it is the most popular among tourists and, accordingly, the most expensive in terms of staying and living in Greece. The island of Ithaca is also well known - according to Homer's stories about Odysseus, which we were introduced to in history lessons. The island of Kefalonia also leaves vivid impressions: pretty villages, cliffs at the very edge of the sea and excellent beaches are impossible to forget. As well as excellent local wines.

Now let's move to - the second largest city in the country, which rightfully received the nickname "Greek Constantinople." It is the religious center of Greece, whose population is predominantly Orthodox. Here is the peninsula of Athos and the Holy Mountain with the same name. It is called the "Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain" in the system of administrative division. Nothing has changed here over the centuries: women are still forbidden to set foot on Mount Athos.

The Northern Aegean Islands are a kind of "mix" in which the influence of both Western and Eastern cultures is mixed. If you don’t know that this is Greece, it seems that you are in Turkey, which, in general, is not far away, and it owns two islands of the archipelago - Bozcaada and Gokceada ( Greek names, respectively, Tenedos and Imvros). The most unusual of the islands is Samos, all covered with trees and famous for its vineyards. Isolated beaches attract tourists on the island of Chios, also famous for its ancient monastery of Nea Moni.

Climate and weather

The climate of Greece, speaking in general, is mild, and this is a huge "merit" of the Mediterranean Sea, which seems to take care and protect this small country. Summers are hot and dry here. average monthly temperature July varies between +30 ... +32 degrees Celsius, humidity reaches 55%. The beach season in Hellas begins in mid-May and continues until November. Winter in the country is by no means severe. The temperature in January averages 10 degrees with a plus sign, and the humidity is 75%.

Meanwhile, in Greece there are several climatic zones. In the mainland of the country, the weather conditions are reminiscent of the Balkans, which are characterized by cold winters and hot, humid summers. Attica, Crete, Dodecanese, Cyclades, the center and east of the Peloponnese are typically Mediterranean regions in terms of climate. Warm weather persists in Crete for a long time: on the southern coast of the largest Greek island, you can swim and sunbathe from April to November.

There is also a rainy season in Greece, starting in most areas in mid-October and lasting until February. In July and August, the entire east coast of the mainland, including the capital, and the islands of the Aegean Sea are under the power of a strong north wind. On the one hand, it brings coolness diluting the heat, on the other hand, it makes ferries late and inconveniences vacationers, “stealing” their beach umbrellas. As for the actual summer heat, it still influenced the habits of the Greeks, shifting the afternoon rest of the Hellenes to 15:00-18:00. During these hours, it is not customary to disturb anyone, not to mention making appointments.

History of Greece

The first settlements in Greece, as evidenced by archaeological excavations, arose during the Paleolithic period, which corresponds to 11000-3000 BC. It is Hellas that is the birthplace of the Minoan, Mycenaean and Cycladic civilizations that existed in 2600-1100 BC. The classical period in the history of Greece is the so-called "Golden Age", which covered the VI-IV centuries BC. e. It is notable for the fact that it gave the world a galaxy of the greatest scientists and outstanding artists - historians and philosophers, doctors and architects, architects and sculptors, poets, mathematicians and playwrights. The active development of Greek civilization occurred after the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. The colonial expansion of Ancient Greece began, city-states appeared - in particular, on the Black Sea coast.

Ancient Hellas experienced several interventions - first by the armies of neighboring Persia, which invaded several times in a row, and then, in 146 BC, by Roman legionnaires. But the Romans not only did not persecute Greek culture, but also became its conscious successors. This can be judged by the monuments of the Roman era, the prototypes for which were similar Hellenic works of architecture. Moreover, Roman artifacts have survived to this day in at its best, and we, contemporaries, can judge by them the great heritage of the ancient Greeks. And after the division of the vast Roman Empire into the western and eastern parts, the latter, that is, Byzantium with its capital in Constantinople, became the bearer of the Greek language and culture and lasted eleven centuries, until May 29, 1453, it fell under the onslaught of the Turks.

Greece itself was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years. The national liberation struggle of the Greek people ended in 1821 with the proclamation of an independent Greek state, which became a monarchy a decade later. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Greece made great efforts to return its ancestral lands, which were still under the occupation of the Ottoman Porte. Participation in the Balkan wars of that time and the First World War helped to partially realize these tasks.

The country also participated in World War II. First, fascist Italy attacked her, but the Greeks were able to give a fitting rebuff. When the Germans and their allies intervened, Greece fell and was under their occupation from 1941 to 1945. However, the victory over the Third Reich did not bring the long-awaited peace: a civil war broke out in the country, which ended only in 1949.

This was followed by a period of calm development in Greece, disrupted by a coup d'état in 1967, which resulted in the overthrow of King Constantine II and the establishment of a military dictatorship in the country. This period went down in history as the regime of "black colonels" led by Georgios Papadopoulos (1967-1973) and Dimitrios Ioannidis (1973-1974). The military junta made many mistakes, including strategic ones, in the international arena. This provoked the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974 in Cyprus and the occupation of part of its territory with the formation of the unrecognized "Republic of Turkey". Northern Cyprus". Failures in the so-called "Cyprus issue" led to the fact that in 1974 the dictatorship of the "black colonels" was overthrown.

On December 8, 1974, a nationwide referendum was held in Greece, as a result of which a democratic political regime with a parliamentary form of government was again established in the country. On June 11, 1975, a new Constitution was adopted, which is still in force today. In 1986 and 2001, some changes were made to it, which, however, did not affect the democratic foundations of the state. Greece has been a member of NATO since 1952. True, in 1973 she left the organization, and returned to it only in 1981. In the same year, Greece joined European Union, and on January 1, 2002 - to the euro area.

Sights of Greece

Greece is a country of ancient monuments, Orthodox shrines and very open, sincere and incredibly charming people. Having been here at least once, you will forever fall in love with its architecture, unique nature, original culture and, of course, national cuisine, to which we will return.

Let's start a general acquaintance with some of the sights of the country from the capital of Ancient Hellas. In Athens, which carefully preserves its historical, cultural and architectural heritage, you should definitely visit the famous Acropolis, whose temples have been partially restored. The constant interest of travelers is caused by the temple of one of the three Olympic gods, Poseidon, located right on the coast of the Aegean Sea, old quarter Plaka, city squares that live their own special, rich life, an impressive stone theater - the Odeon of Herodotus Atticus and numerous Athenian museums.

Separately, I would like to mention the breathtaking Panathinaikos Stadium. It was created according to fragments of the ancient predecessor, using only white marble in construction. And in Athens with your own eyes you can see the ancient temples of Zeus, Agora and Hephaestus, mentioned in the myths and legends of ancient Greece.

Quite a few ancient artifacts are concentrated in Crete, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Here you can see the archaeological sites of the Minoan era, the Venetian-style castle in Rethymnon, luxurious, enjoy the views of the largest natural palm forest on the continent on Vai beach. ancient temple Apollo, preserved in small town Gortyna will take you to the Dorian era, and in Phaistos you should definitely see one of the most outlandish architectural structures in form - the palace of King Minos.

The most famous Greek islands include Rhodes, which has the glory of the largest center of knightly culture and a wonderful resort. His business card- Castle of the Knights, built in the XIV century and restored in the first half of the last century. It houses a large collection of antiques, not to mention the accurately recreated atmosphere of the home of a knightly order, giving a unique sense of realism.

One of the most iconic sights, Mount Olympus, will allow you to feel like a contemporary of the legendary deities of ancient Greece. Once upon a time, judging by the myths, the Thunderer Zeus, the god of the seas Poseidon and the ruler of the kingdom of the dead Hades lived here. Now this "house of the gods" has been turned into a unique biosphere reserve, rich in various plant and animal species, and offering stunning views of the surroundings. Olympus, although a high mountain, is quite accessible for hiking. Traveling along numerous trails, you will not even notice how time flies.

Another famous mountain is, of course, Athos, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. This unique place, revered by all Orthodox believers, is inhabited and can only be visited by men. It is dedicated to prayers, reflections and initiation to spirituality. The Holy Mountain has de facto autonomy, but under the sovereignty of the Greek state. To get here, you need to get a special permit, and only 110 people (100 of them must be Orthodox believers) can visit it - if they wish, of course - every day. Such bureaucracy can turn many away from the intention to visit Mount Athos, but if such inconveniences do not frighten you, then an excursion here with a visit to two dozen local monasteries will become an unforgettable episode in your life.

National cuisine

In the national cuisine of Greece, the culinary traditions of the Balkan peoples, the Apennines, France and even the Middle East coexist perfectly. In general, this is a typical Mediterranean cuisine with a “mixture” of love with which each dish is prepared, and the original Greek temperament. For the Greeks, as, for example, for the Japanese, eating is a whole ritual. At the table, they not only eat, but communicate and relax. General meal - great way establishing friendships between unfamiliar people and even business relationships. Whatever the Greeks discuss at dinner, but most of all, in addition to purely family topics, they like to talk about football and politics.

Many have already guessed that fish and seafood occupy a regal position in the local menu. The Greeks cook squid very tasty: they roll them in flour, and then fry them in olive oil. Be sure to try freshly caught mussels cooked in tomato sauce and exotics such as octopus meat - it is baked on coals with the addition of herbs. The taste and aroma of the dish is such that words cannot describe - it's better to try it!

What dishes are in modern Greece are the most popular? Let's name some of them: squids stuffed with cheese and baked on coals (“kalamaria yemista me tiri”), steamed mussels (“midya akhnista”), grilled shrimp (“garides sharas”). One of the crown dishes national cuisine are considered spaghetti with lobster ("macoranada me astako"). From traditional and familiar to Russian fish dishes in local taverns, you can taste fish in all its culinary "manifestations" - fried and stewed, stuffed and pickled, dried, smoked and just salted - to delicious local beer!

Meat lovers in Greece are offered a rich selection of pork, beef, poultry, and lamb dishes. Grilled “brizoles” and “paidakya”, respectively, meat with bone and lamb ribs, always turn out very tasty and juicy. There are two types of local kebabs: from small pieces of meat (“suvlaki”) and large ones (“kondosuvli”).

It is also worth trying “kokoretsi” - this is the name of a dish that is somewhat reminiscent of our homemade sausage: the intestines are filled with lamb offal and baked on a grill. True gourmets cannot fail to like rooster stewed in white wine (“kokoras krasatos”) and stewed rabbit (“kuneli”). And perhaps the most famous Greek meat dish is moussaka - minced meat, potatoes and eggplants laid in layers and baked with bechamel sauce.

Greek cuisine is impossible to imagine without cheese and one of its most famous varieties - "feta". It is made only from sheep's milk and stored in wooden barrels. Popular in the country and, accordingly, among tourists are such varieties of cheese as "kefalotiri" (hard, made from goat's milk), "tulumotiri" (the oldest of all local varieties) and exquisite "manuri" (white, with a very spicy taste ).

In conclusion, let's mention the famous "Greek salad", in their homeland simply called "village", which Russian housewives also like to cook. "Original" differs in taste from that served in our cafes and restaurants or cooked at home. What exactly is the difference is also difficult to convey in words: you need to feel it by trying both options. And what is needed for this? That's right: come to rest in Greece!

Language

Modern Greek (Dimotica), derived from the vernacular used in the Late Antique period, did not become the country's official language until 1976. Before that, this was kafarevusa (“purified language”). Fortunately for tourists, many Greeks speak at least one foreign language: most often in English, but also in German, French or Italian.

Still, a few words in Greek will be appreciated. If you have some time, try learning a couple of basic phrases and the alphabet. Although signs and signs are often presented in Latin transcription, this is not always the case; in addition, knowledge of the alphabet will allow you to navigate in banks, restaurants and other establishments.

Holidays in Greece

• January 1 - New Year.
• January 6 - Epiphany.
• March 25 - Independence Day.
• May 1 - Labor Day.
• August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin.
• October 28 is Ohi Day, commemorating the Greek resistance to the Italian occupation of 1940.
• December 25 - Christmas.
• December 26 - Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin.

Holidays that do not have an exact date are the First Day of Great Lent (Clean Monday), Holy Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Spirits Day.

Money

The national currency of Greece is the euro, divided into 100 euro cents. Basically, all payments are made in cash, which naturally leads to an increase in the shadow economy. An increasing number of hotels and restaurants in tourist areas, however, accept credit cards, but some of them charge an additional 3% to 5%, sometimes without even notifying you. If you have Visa or MasterCard cards, then you can easily withdraw money from an ATM. Traveler's checks can be cashed at a bank or hotel, just don't forget your passport.

Opening hours

Despite some general trends, such as a long break in work during the siesta, the opening hours of organizations in Greece are quite fluid. Shops are usually open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from about 8.30-10.00 to 15.00, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until 14.00 and then from 17.00 to 20.00-21.00. This rule does not affect local shops, especially grocery stores, which sometimes work even on Sunday.

Museums and places archaeological sites that you can visit are closed on Monday, sometimes on Wednesday, and the smallest - the entire period from November to March. Opening hours - from 8.00-8.30 to 15.00 out of season, and until 17.00 and even 19.00 in July and August. Remember that the last visitors are allowed in half an hour before closing.

Banks, as a rule, work from 8.00-8.30 to 14.00 from Monday to Thursday and until 13.30 on Friday; some make exchange transactions on Saturday.

Shopping in Greece

IN sunny Greece they go not only for a beach holiday on the islands or exploring the world-famous sights of ancient times, but also for shopping. For those of you who don't know yet, Greece, along with Italy, is one of the best shopping destinations in Europe. Despite the difference in exchange rates, it will not be difficult to find, for example, a relatively inexpensive fur coat or a beautiful vase that will decorate the interior of your home.

A long-tried way to save money is, of course, to shop during the sales season. Winter sales in Greece begin in mid-January and continue through February, while summer sales cover the second half of July and all of August. Moreover, in many stores they do not start to reduce the price from a small amount - say, from 20-30%, but immediately indicate on the price tags: an 80% discount, therefore queues are not uncommon in such outlets. Be prepared to lose some time waiting, but leave with a good purchase.

Discounts apply not only to clothes and shoes, but also to household appliances, modern electronics, decor items and even good, solid furniture. True, for such goods the discount does not exceed 40% of the cost, but this is not bad either. In outlets and stocks, which should not be forgotten either, eye-pleasing price tags are present all year round. In large shopping centers, off-season sales are common, discounts can reach 50%.

But back to buying fur coats. Especially for this, shopping tours are organized in Greece, which come with and without obligations. If you choose the former (i.e., a tour with obligations), then the flight to the country and hotel accommodation, usually not exceeding 3-4 days, are paid by the fur factory. For convenience of choice, it is recommended to get acquainted with the assortment of different manufacturers in advance, and save photos of the models you like. Otherwise, if you start trying on all the models in a row, you will not only waste time and get tired, but you may end up buying not what you wanted and you will regret it.

The birthplace of Greek fur products is traditionally considered to be Kastoria, a city in the north-west of the country, in western Macedonia. There are a lot of fur factories here, the most famous among which are Ego Group, Rizos Furs, Estel Furs, Avanti Furs. Do not look for prices on the official websites of these and other manufacturers - it is not customary to indicate them, which makes it possible to bargain on the spot. There are usually no language barriers, since almost all sellers speak Russian.

But not everyone goes to Greece for clothes or household items - many would like to buy local products. In this case, welcome to the Greek supermarkets: in Athens - Sklavenitis, in Crete - Ariadni, in Thessaloniki - Masoutis. Popular among tourists are also premium-class supermarkets AB Vasilopoulos, a chain of German supermarkets Lidi.

You can also shop well in markets and bazaars, which are very numerous in the country, including flea markets. You can buy the freshest and cheapest items from the food basket right here: olive oil, feta cheese, local wine. The main thing is to be in time before 15:00, because then the markets and bazaars are closed until the next day.

For tourists: citizens of the Russian Federation, since they are not residents of the European Union, can use the right to a VAT refund (Tax Free), but on condition that the purchase amount is not less than 120 € and it was made at a point of sale that participates in the system. To determine this, you just need to take a closer look: the designation "tax-free for tourists", which literally translates from English as "for tourists without tax", in this case is applied to the windows, the cashier or directly to the entrance to the store. On the mainland, the value added tax refund will be 23%, on island territories – 16%.

Public transport

It is convenient to travel around Greece by bus, and the trip will also be inexpensive. However, there are very, very few drivers who understand English, not to mention Russian. City public transport runs from 5:30 am until midnight, there are also special night flights. The most developed in terms of transport is, of course, the capital. Car communication in it, as well as in other cities, is chaotic, there may be problems with parking. The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h.

An alternative to buses is electric transport (trams and trolleybuses). Athens, as befits a metropolitan metropolis, has its own metro, the ticket is valid for 1.5 hours. There are no subways in other cities.

Greece also has a network railways, only experienced tourists are not advised to travel on second-class trains, since they cannot boast of cleanliness and comfort, unlike first-class trains. But regardless of the category, the train has been and remains a popular option specifically for night trips: you fell asleep in one city, and woke up in the morning - you are already rested and fresh at your destination!

Since Greece is partly Island state, bus or train can not be reached in all points of the country. For sea ​​voyages you will have to choose one of the types of water transport: ferry or speedboat. When parking your own or rented car on the ferry, you should be careful, as cars are usually located very close to each other.

Car driving

A driving license valid in Russia will be enough to rent a car in Greece. Prices in numerous local companies are quite reasonable, but check the condition of the car and the availability of insurance in case of an accident. The minimum age of the driver is 21 years old, sometimes 25 years old. Driving experience must be at least one year.

Major highways are very good for motorists, and in addition, thanks to the funds provided by the EU, for last years Greece's road network has been greatly improved. There are also dirt roads leading mainly to beaches and secluded monasteries. The speed limit is 50 km/h in the city (sometimes less), 80 km/h on highways, 120 km/h on motorways, although sometimes, looking at the way the Greeks drive, it's hard to believe... If you happen to drive at night, beware of unlit areas and herds of animals crossing the road. Driving in the city can be tricky, especially in Athens, due to the many traffic jams and one-way roads.

Communication and Internet

Mobile communications in Greece are very well developed, the network covers almost the entire territory of the country, except for some small remote islands. Especially good "catches" in the cities, and in Athens, even in the subway. If you are going to call Greek numbers, then it makes sense to buy a SIM card from one of the local mobile operators. If there is no such need, and you plan to call only home in the Russian Federation, then you can use the roaming service that all Russian operators provide to their subscribers.

Greek market leaders mobile communications are companies such as Cosmote, Wind and Vodafone. The first is the state and its main advantage in the eyes of competitors can be considered a good level of customer service. Wind was once a monopoly in the local market and has long established itself as a high quality connection. Well, Vodafone, as a transnational operator, does not need any additional introduction. The quality of coverage is not inferior to competitors, but it has a little more "dead zones" where communication is not available.

Moral standards

Even though it is very hot in summer, if you are off the beach, please dress appropriately. To visit the monastery, women should wear a skirt or dress below the knee and a headscarf, men should wear trousers.

If you are offered a drink or invited to dinner, do not refuse, as this may offend the Greeks. Also remember that everything related to relations with Turkey is a rather sensitive issue, avoid joking on this topic.

controversial points

Check your restaurant bill: in the most touristy places, it can increase by one extra dish or drink ... Also pay attention to the prices in the windows: they are sometimes for take-out and can double if you eat on the spot. Finally, if you want to pay by credit card, make sure that the tip (3-5%) is not charged without your consent. As a rule, any misunderstanding can be easily resolved, you just have to stay alert and remember to call the tourist police, who specialize in settling this kind of problem.

Safety

Greece, with all the desire, cannot be attributed, like, for example, Iceland or Sweden, to the safest countries for tourists on the continent. Unfortunately, petty theft is common here, especially in crowded places: at hotels, at airports, railway stations, near attractions. Pickpockets operate in public transport. Athens, like any major city, has its own dangerous areas, these are Kolokotroni and Vathi squares and the red-light district in the vicinity of Omonia square.

Women should especially beware of ... obsessive suitors or "kamaks" (from the Greek "kamakis" - "harpooner"). These are, as a rule, good-looking men, radiating charm and temperament, who are very persistent in seeking the favor of single foreign tourists. Their ultimate goal is to "hook" for some time, and if you're lucky, then for the whole season, a rich companion. Lovely ladies are also not recommended to get into a car with strangers or walk at night, as there is a risk of becoming victims of rape.

The Greeks spend their hot southern temperament not only looking for love affairs, but also participating in all kinds of protests and strikes. And although the "righteous anger" of the demonstrators is usually not directed at people, it is better not to go outside during the rally. Police to disperse protesters usually use tear gas, which acts not only for its intended purpose, that is, on the eyes. It can cause serious complications in patients with bronchitis and asthma. And yet, even if law enforcement officers with their means of restraint are far from you, there is a risk of falling under someone's hot hand or getting injured in a stampede.

In addition to the human factor, natural factors also pose a certain danger. Both the mainland of Greece and its islands fall under the definition of seismically hazardous zones, which means a high probability of earthquakes. High-amplitude tremors, fortunately, do not happen so often, but small-scale vibrations of the earth's crust are a common occurrence. Don't forget about the risk posed by forest fires due to the hot climate. In these cases, call the fire department directly on 199 or the rescue service on 112.

Hotels and accommodation in Greece

Both on the mainland and on the islands, hotels for every taste and budget are at the service of tourists. In Greece, in addition to their traditional classification by the number of stars, an alphabetic system for designating the class of a hotel is also used. So, the letter L means that you are in a luxury hotel, which corresponds to five stars; C - three stars; and E corresponds to the level of 1-2 stars. But there is often a kind of “anomaly”: in hotels of class E, the level of service is higher than in hotels with the designation C.

Be prepared for the fact that you may run into a shortage of rooms, especially on the most popular Greek islands. Excitement is common here, especially on weekends and holidays, when locals join the foreigners on holiday. To avoid tourist "pandemonium", book apartments in advance. So, using the Booking.com service, you can find excellent accommodation options in Greece with up to 60% discounts.

The majority of local hotels are owned by local owners, but there are also major international chains in Greece, such as Best Western and Hilton. You can also rent an extra-class room at local chain hotels, such as the Luxury Collection of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Louis and Chandris. The cost of living in them is from 150-200 euros.

Many tourists prefer to stay in private hotels (boarding houses), which most fully convey the very spirit of the local way of life and hospitality inherent in the Greeks. In cities, you can rent a separate apartment for two or three people, in the suburbs - small houses, designed for four guests. Prices vary from 40-60 to 90-120 euros per night.

Hostels in Greece are not as popular as in others European countries, however, you can stay in one of the five Athens youth hostels, members of the International Hostel Association. There are similar ones in Thessaloniki, Paros, Corfu and Ios, and they are also included in the named association. An overnight stay in a hostel will cost you about 10 €, the cost depends on its location.

In the homeland of democracy, you can also stay in monasteries, only the rules for staying in them may not seem so democratic. For example, if you are looking for an overnight stay with a partner of the opposite sex, you will be rejected. In addition, you need to dress in accordance with generally accepted standards of decency, otherwise they will not be accepted either. And if they put you in, you will have to observe " curfew”: returning to the monastery - for example, after an excursion - is not allowed later than the deadline.

), and charter.

At the peak of the tourist season, that is, in the summer, flights to Greece are carried out, including from such Russian cities as Krasnodar, Kazan and Perm.

To stay in the country, Russians need a foreign passport with a Schengen visa stamped.

Airfare low price calendar

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Greece is the most amazing country in the world. bright and original country organically combines an incredible history, a stunning climate and a constant sense of celebration. Greece attracts some tourists with the remains of ancient civilizations and ancient myths, and some with modern excavations and unusual architecture. But no one can remain indifferent to its snow-white beaches and clear waters.

Geographic location of Greece

Greece is located in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, and also owns the islands that are located nearby. Over a hundred inhabited islands and more than a thousand uninhabited people form a heavenly picture. Each piece of land is unique with its rocks, grottoes and caves. There are volcano islands and there are tiny atolls, some with white sand and others with red. From three sides the unique country is washed by the seas: Ionian, Mediterranean and Aegean. The state borders on Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey and Albania. warm seas, the diversity of the nature of the mainland and the islands of incredible beauty create conditions for an unforgettable vacation.

Capital

Athens - got its name in honor of its patroness and is the most ancient of all European capitals. Today Athens combines the beauty of a modern city with unique old buildings. Turkish markets are nestled next to fashionable hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.

Attractions

The roots of any sphere of world art originate in Greek land. Acquaintance with the sights will allow you to join the national traditions and will give you great pleasure. The unique masterpieces of architecture and delightful works of art of Greece will remain in memory for a long time. Acropolis - ancient city, which appeared before our era, is considered a symbol of Greek civilization. At its top, the central place is occupied by the temple of Athena - the majestic Parthenon. Unforgettable impressions are left by the Erechtheion temple and the ancient theater of Dionysus. It is impossible to miss the ancient temple of Poseidon, which is located on Cape Sounion. Of particular note is the largest monastic complex - the famous Meteora, built on a sheer cliff over 600 meters high. Of the 24 monasteries, only six have survived to this day, which can be reached by steps carved into the rock.

Climate

The Mediterranean climate of Greece is mild. Winter without snow, with rare intermittent rains and temperature +8 +18 degrees. Hot and dry summer with a temperature of +25 +35 degrees is cloudless and creates ideal conditions for sunbathing and swimming. During the period of the greatest heat in July and August, when the air warms up to +45 degrees, the best option there will be a trip to the islands, the sea breezes provide comfortable rest. During the velvet season in September and October, it is best to go on excursions to famous historical sites.

Kitchen

Greek cuisine is characterized by endless variety and excellent taste. The basis is fish and unique seafood, all kinds of vegetables and fruits, olive oil and the famous feta cheese. The aroma of local spices and seasonings adds an unusual piquant taste to the food. The following are very popular with tourists: "moussaka", "suvlaki" (mutton skewers), "guvechi" (rice with beef and vegetables), "tzatziki" (lactic acid product with garlic and cucumbers) and Greek salad. Meat cooked on a spit is served at every step. Tea is only used as a cold medicine. And coffee is drunk a lot and often, both hot and cold. As for alcoholic beverages, preference is given to wines, the most famous are kokineli (dry red) and retsina (dry white).

shopping

Those who want to buy fur coats come to Greece from all over the world. An incredible number of workshops and a huge variety of fur products seduce with excellent quality and affordable prices. The list of purchases of each tourist also includes olive oil, which surpasses Spanish and Italian in its bright taste, and famous Greek wines. It is impossible to leave without souvenirs presented in the form of accessories made of leather, wood or ceramics, painted in the original Greek style.

Accommodation

One of the most attractive holiday accommodation options in Greece is renting a private villa. For 5 years holidaygreece.ru has been providing its customers and tourists with more than 1200 offers for renting private villas, apartments and cottages on the coasts of Greece. Many clients again going on vacation next summer again use the services of the company. The price of renting a cottage or villa may be cheaper than the price of paying for a room in a 5* hotel.
Every year, thousands of tourists come to Greece to admire its unusual beauty. Having once visited the pearl of world resorts, you want to come back here again.

They borrowed knowledge from the Minoans and became skilled artisans themselves.

However, the Minoans were a peaceful people, while the Mycenaeans were a warrior people. Their palaces were surrounded by strong walls. Former rulers were buried behind these walls in large beehive-shaped graves.

From their fortresses, the Mycenaeans staged military raids throughout the Mediterranean.

The legends about the Mycenaeans are many thousands of years old. One of them, set out in the epic poem "Iliad" by the ancient Greek poet Homer, tells about the war between Greece and Troy. The Mycenaean king Agamemnon went to save his brother's beautiful wife, Helen, who was kidnapped by the son of the Trojan king Paris.

In the royal tombs in Mycenae, 4 death masks of kings made of gold were found.

It was once believed that the mask depicted in this illustration belonged to Agamemnon, the Mycenaean king during the Trojan War. Scientists now believe that this mask is 300 years older and therefore unlikely to be an image of Agamemnon.

After ten years of siege, Agamemnon's army finally took Troy by deceit. Greek warriors hid in a wooden horse (at the bottom), whom the jubilant Trojans dragged into their city, thinking that the Greeks lifted the siege and went home. At night, the Greeks got out of the horse and captured the city.

The Mycenaean civilization ceased to exist around 1200 BC. After it came a period that historians call the Dark Ages, and around 800 BC. Greek civilization began to develop. Greece was not a single country, it consisted of independent city-states that fought among themselves.

At the head of each city-state was a strong ruler of the royal family. Sometimes such a ruler was overthrown by a tyrant - that was the name of a person who seized power not by right. By about 500 B.C. each city-state had its own army.

Sparta, a city-state in the south of the country, possessed one of the strongest troops. By this time, Greece had already entered the so-called classical period. , and the city-state of Athens became a paradise for philosophers and artists. However, among the Spartans, war was considered the only worthy occupation.

The Greek troops consisted mainly of young men trained in military affairs. When the war started, they were drafted into the army. However, the Spartans had a professional army, always ready for battle.

A foot warrior from the Greek city-state of Sparta was called a hoplite. Over a short pleated tunic, he wore metal armor. Hoplites were armed with spears or swords and carried shields.

All Greek troops fought in phalanxes, which were tightly closed ranks of warriors, so that the shield of each was partially overlapped by the shield of a neighbor. The first few ranks held spears in front of them to hit the enemy from a distance. The close formation did not allow the enemy to get close, so the phalanx was a very effective battle formation.

The military fleet of the Greeks consisted of ships called triremes.

The trireme had rectangular sails, which allowed it to move with the wind, but in battle the ship moved thanks to the rowers. The rowers were arranged in three tiers, one above the other. There was a battle ram on the bow of the ship to pierce the sides of enemy ships.

Alexander the Great was born in Macedonia, a mountainous region near northern borders Greece. His father Philip became king of Macedon in 359 BC. and united all of Greece. When in 336 BC. he died, Alexander became the new king. He was then 20 years old.

Alexander's teacher was the Greek writer and philosopher Aristotle, who instilled in the young man a love of art and poetry. But Alexander was still a brave and brilliant warrior, and he wanted to create a mighty empire.

Alexander the Great was a fearless leader and sought to conquer new lands. Going on his great campaign, he had an army in which there were 30,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 horsemen.

Alexander took his first battle with Persia, an old enemy of Greece. In 334 BC he went on a military campaign to Asia, where he defeated the army of the Persian king Darius III. After that, Alexander decided to subjugate the entire Persian Empire to the Greeks.

First, he stormed the Phoenician city of Tyre, and then conquered Egypt. Continuing his conquests, he took possession of the three palaces of the Persian kings in Babylon, Susa and Persepolis. It took Alexander the Great 3 years to conquer eastern part Persian Empire, after which in 326 BC. he went to North India.

By this time, Alexander's army had already been on the campaign for 11 years. He wanted to conquer all of India, but the army was tired and wanted to return home. Alexander agreed, but did not have time to return to Greece. At the age of only 32, he died in Babylon of a fever in 323 BC.

The conquest campaign of Alexander the Great passed through the Middle East, Egypt, Asia and ended in Northern India.

For Alexander, India was on the edge of the known world, and he wanted to continue the campaign, but the army began to grumble. His favorite horse named Bucephalus (or Bukefal), who carried Alexander all this time, fell in a battle with the Indian king Por in 326 BC.

When Alexander conquered any country, he founded in it Greek colony to prevent possible rebellions. These colonies, among which were 16 cities with the name of Alexandria, were ruled by his soldiers. However, Alexander died without leaving behind plans for managing such a huge empire. As a result, the empire was divided into three parts - Macedonia, Persia and Egypt, and at the head of each of them was a Greek commander. The period between the death of Alexander and the fall of the Greek Empire to the Romans in 30 B.C. known as the Hellenistic era.

The Hellenistic era is known for its scientific achievements, and the city of Alexandria in Egypt was the main center of knowledge. Many poets and scientists came to Alexandria. There, the mathematicians Pythagoras and Euclid developed their laws of geometry, while others studied medicine and the movement of stars.

In the II century AD. in Alexandria (Egypt) lived Claudius Ptolemy, who studied astronomy.

He mistakenly believed that the Earth is the center of the universe, and the Sun and other planets revolve around it.

Without a single ruler, Alexander's empire was gradually taken over by the Romans. Egypt lasted longer than the rest of the empire, but in 30 BC. the Roman emperor Augustus captured it too. Queen Cleopatra of Alexandria committed suicide along with her Roman lover Mark Antony.

The cultural heritage of ancient Greece, its philosophical thought and art in Europe were again turned to in the 15th century, during the Renaissance, or Renaissance, and since then it has continued to influence our culture.

The rock city of Petra in Jordan was inhabited by a people who called themselves the Nabataeans. The Nabataeans were heavily influenced by Hellenic architecture.

Notes:

Minoan Crete

One of the greatest ancient civilizations originated on the island of Crete. Little was known about it until the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851–1941) discovered the remains of a majestic palace in the ancient city of Knossos in 1900. 4 more palaces were found on the island. Evans and other archaeologists made many discoveries, including wall paintings and clay tablets. However, it was not possible to find the self-name of this mysterious civilization anywhere. Therefore, archaeologists decided to call it Minoan by the name of the legendary Cretan king Minos, who ruled in the city of Knossos.

The Minoans arrived in Crete around 6000 BC. In 2000 BC they began to build palaces. The Minoans owed their prosperity to trade with the entire Mediterranean. Around the palaces arose big cities. Many of the townspeople were artisans who made wonderful pottery and metal products and jewelry.

Wealthy Minoan women wore dresses with corsages that laced up at the waist, while men wore loincloths and caps adorned with feathers.

There is no evidence of war or unrest on the island, so the Minoans seem to have lived a peaceful life.

Boys and girls engaged in a dangerous sport: they grabbed the bull by the horns and tumbled over its back.

What happened to the Minoans? This people disappeared around 1450 BC, and the reason for this may have been a volcanic eruption on the neighboring island of Thira, so that the whole island of Crete was under volcanic ash.

Life in Athens

During the classical period, art, philosophy and science flourished in Greece. At this time, Athens, the city-state, reached its highest peak. The city was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC, but then rebuilt. One of the most majestic buildings temple complex on the Acropolis. The center of this complex was the Parthenon, a marble temple dedicated to the patron goddess of the city, Athena.

The basic knowledge about Ancient Greece is gleaned by us from the works of literature and art of that time. Pottery was often decorated with scenes everyday life. Sculptors carved beautiful statues, philosophers wrote down their thoughts and ideas, playwrights created plays based on real life events.

The ancient Greeks worshiped many gods and goddesses. It was believed that 12 paramount gods lived on Olympus, the most high mountain in Greece. The main Olympian god was Zeus.

There was a theater in every major city, and theater performances were very popular. Playwrights such as Sophocles and Aristophanes wrote plays that featured actors. Plays were divided into two main types, comedy and tragedy. Many of these plays, written then, have not lost their popularity in our time.

Spectators came to the theater for the whole day. They usually watched three tragedies or three comedies, followed by a short play called a satire that made fun of a serious myth or event.

The audience was seated on stone benches in a semicircular open amphitheatre. The actors wore large tragic or comedic masks so that the audience could get a better view of them. These masks are still a symbol of the theater today.

Greek athletes trained in preparation for the sports festival, which was held in Olympia, located in southern Greece, every 4 years.

This holiday was the forerunner of the Olympic Games, which are held in our time.

Temples were the most important buildings in Ancient Greece. In each temple there were sculptural images of the god to whom the temple was dedicated.

The ruins of temples on the Acropolis can still be seen in Greece. As supporting elements of their temples and public buildings, the Greeks used columns similar to those that support the Parthenon. Columns were built by raising one stone block on top of another. The upper part of the column was usually decorated with carvings.

In ancient Greece, the people spoke out against being ruled by wealthy citizens. In Athens, a system of government was introduced, called "democracy", which means "rule by the people." In a democracy, every citizen had the right to have a say in how the city-state was run. Rulers were chosen by vote, but neither women nor slaves were considered citizens and therefore could not vote. All Athenian citizens were members of the city assembly, which convened once a week. Any citizen could speak at this assembly. Above the assembly was a council of 500 members chosen by lot.

The Greeks respected freedom of speech. In the center of the Greek city there was an open space called "agora" where meetings were held and political speeches were made.

The orator delivers a political speech in the agora.

If the people were dissatisfied with any member of the government, then according to the results of the vote, he could be removed from his post. Athenian citizens expressed their opinion by scratching out the politician's name on potsherds; such a shard was called "ostraka".

The foundations of modern medicine were also laid in ancient Greece. The healer Hippocrates founded a medical school on the island of Kos. Physicians had to take the Hippocratic Oath, which spoke of the duties and responsibilities of the healer. And in our time, all doctors take the Hippocratic Oath.

Greece is the right country for measured rest and enjoying life. Coming here solely for the sake of the sea or spending all the time on sightseeing is a crime. In Greece, you need to learn to enjoy life, enjoy music, food, sun and wine. From the Greeks, you can learn the ability to celebrate, cook and honor family values. Pleasant bliss will be diluted with interesting excursions to the islands, the study of legends or a tour of ancient buildings. In this beautiful country with a rich history, life has a taste, and a tired body is filled with strength again.

Geography

Greece occupies the south Balkan Peninsula and adjacent islands. The country is spread among rocks and rocky, bare plateaus, green valleys, plains and beaches. In the west, there are limestone deposits in which several large caves And sinkholes. In the east, the terrain is more gentle. In Greece, tectonic activity is quite high, strong earthquakes periodically occur.
Because of such a diverse relief, Greek nature is very rich. The coasts of the islands and the south of the mainland resemble Hawaii, and the mountains are similar to the Swiss Alps with small villages.

Climate

Greece has almost always warm and clear weather. There are over 300 sunny days a year. The temperate climate is softened by the proximity of the sea. The hottest months are July and August, when the air warms up to +32°C. On the continent, the beginning of summer is more suitable for a beach holiday, and on the islands it is better to sunbathe in September and October. Spring and autumn should be devoted to exploring the sights. Winters are mild here. average temperature air temperature is +10°C.

Attractions

The main Greek sights are associated with the ancient period. For more than 8,000 years, the peoples who inhabited the country created great buildings and surrounded them with myths. Let's take a look at the most popular of them.

Mount Athos. A large religious complex of 20 monasteries. The place is located in the east of Chalkidiki and is completely cut off from the rest of the world. Walking here is conducive to peace, but only men are allowed to enter.

The Palace of Knossos is an ancient palace built under King Minos, with an intricate system of corridors and passages. It was here that the labyrinth of the minotaur was located, in which the young men and women who were sacrificed strayed.

The city of Lidos is one of the centers of ancient civilization. Walking among the snow-white buildings, you can feel the spirit of ancient thinkers.

The Acropolis is the most recognizable and popular landmark. The monumental building with 48 columns is striking in size. He sheltered the inhabitants during the raids of the barbarians. After several restorations, the building still resembles ruins.

Church of St. Panteleimon. Important religious building on about. Rhodes. Built in the 14th century, it is highly respected by the locals.

Palace of the Grand Masters. Located in the center of Rhodes, the castle resembles a fairy-tale fortress. Inside there is a museum with antique sculptures and household items.

Rhodes fortress from the 15th century. defended the coast of Greece from enemy attacks. Built on the very shore, it is decorated with many holes from shells, but still retains its grandeur.

In total, there are more than a thousand interesting places in Greece. Among them are historical architectural structures, temples, parks and museums.

Things to do?

Holidays in Greece cannot be boring. In addition to sightseeing, you can do active entertainment. For example, master the sirtaki dance. His simple steps to rhythmic music unite the guests of many celebrations.

In the warm season, you should definitely spend a few days on the beach. All coastal areas are municipal and have free access. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available at an additional cost. The beaches are mostly sandy. On the mainland they are noisier than on the islands.

Flocks of colorful fish and other living creatures scurry along the coast, which will definitely please divers. True, there are no corals here, but this is compensated by other beauties. There are several international diving schools in Crete and Corfu where you can get trained and certified. After that, you should go to the islands in the Aegean Sea (Lesbos, Samos, Crete) with the most interesting underwater relief and living creatures.

To take a break from the hot sun and the sea, you can go to the mountains. Two types of entertainment are available here at once:

• Skiing. On the slopes of any complexity there is a modern infrastructure, excellent snow cover and picturesque panoramas.
• Speleology. Numerous caves will allow you to test your endurance and get acquainted with historical sights. The most interesting Cave of Petralona and blue caves islands of Zakynthos.

Kitchen

Greek cuisine can be called a bright representative of the Mediterranean. The basic rules of cooking are to take fresh vegetables, add aromatic herbs, spices and flavor everything with fresh olive oil. A meal is not complete without delicious seafood, fragrant meat or fragrant cheese.

Greeks love hearty meat and fish dishes. Usually they are grilled, smeared with a mixture of mint, thyme, saffron, cloves, nutmeg. Vegetables and fruits are grown in natural conditions under the hot sun. Any dish must be complemented with fresh vegetables and olives.

For dessert, baklava, galaktoboureko, or fresh fruit are usually served. Any meal is accompanied by several glasses of young fragrant wine.

Most of the dishes on the menu will seem unfamiliar, but the waiter will gladly give a detailed description.

Transport

The choice of the method of transportation depends on the financial possibilities and the intended route. The most convenient, but also the most expensive, is the plane. International airports are in major cities and 11 islands. Domestic flights are also operated. With them in just an hour you can be anywhere in the country.

Buses are less expensive and quite convenient. They will deliver passengers to any city and even to the island. The ferry crossing is included in the fare.

The larger islands can be reached by water. In summer, ferries run between the shores several times a day. It is harder to get to small islands, small boats sail only a few times a week.
Cities have buses, trams, surface metro. To be more free to move around, you can rent a car. For this you need a credit card. It will also serve to pay for toll roads.

Financial questions

The monetary unit of Greece is the euro. It is better to take cash with you immediately. In many shops and restaurants you can pay with a plastic card. Often, when paying by card, the check amount increases by 3-5% commission. Cashing out is easy at one of the many ATMs. All financial issues at the bank branch should not be postponed, as employees work with clients from 8:00 to 14:00, and on Friday they close half an hour earlier.

How to get there

Greece has several international airports that accept direct flights from Russia. The most popular are the airports in Athens and Thessaloniki. During the season, direct charter flights to Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and other islands open. They can also be reached by one of the domestic flights with a transfer in Athens.

To visit Greece, you should take care of a visa in advance. Depending on the city, its registration will take from 3 to 10 business days.