12-15-2011, 02:49 AM
It seems to me there were two specific strands to Pan-Hellenism in ancient Greece. However, both of them were minority movements.
The first strand was intellectual and recognised that the common culture; heritage; religion; language; ethnicity; values etc. could and should amount to more than just words or vague commonalities. There was the possibility of a united front that would make economic sense and more importantly be very strong for common defence. United we stand - divided we fall (which could sum up ancient Greek history). Sadly, this was always a pipedream since localism and sub-ethnicism (i.e. Dorian against Ionian, Akhaian against Aiolian) were always more potent forces.
The second strand was more successful, but only periodically and never completely. This was generally at the behest of a strong leader (e.g. Philip or Alexander) seeking a united front to promote personal or state ambitions; or as a quickfire and shakey response to an external threat (Persian Wars). This kind of attempt at federalising was usually just as adept at creating pro and anti factions, depending upon the various states' views regarding who was motivating the panhellenic fervour.
The first strand was intellectual and recognised that the common culture; heritage; religion; language; ethnicity; values etc. could and should amount to more than just words or vague commonalities. There was the possibility of a united front that would make economic sense and more importantly be very strong for common defence. United we stand - divided we fall (which could sum up ancient Greek history). Sadly, this was always a pipedream since localism and sub-ethnicism (i.e. Dorian against Ionian, Akhaian against Aiolian) were always more potent forces.
The second strand was more successful, but only periodically and never completely. This was generally at the behest of a strong leader (e.g. Philip or Alexander) seeking a united front to promote personal or state ambitions; or as a quickfire and shakey response to an external threat (Persian Wars). This kind of attempt at federalising was usually just as adept at creating pro and anti factions, depending upon the various states' views regarding who was motivating the panhellenic fervour.
[size=75:2kpklzm3]Ghostmojo / Howard Johnston[/size]
![[Image: A-TTLGAvatar-1-1.jpg]](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d162/Ghostmojo/Argus%20-%20TTLG/A-TTLGAvatar-1-1.jpg)
[size=75:2kpklzm3]Xerxes - "What did the guy in the pass say?" ... Scout - "Μολὼν λαβέ my Lord - and he meant it!!!"[/size]
[size=75:2kpklzm3]Xerxes - "What did the guy in the pass say?" ... Scout - "Μολὼν λαβέ my Lord - and he meant it!!!"[/size]
