Greece

Where the name comes from

Greece comes through Latin Graecia from Greek Graikoi, a name the Romans applied to all Greeks; its original group and meaning are uncertain.

First people

Greek-speaking societies developed around the Aegean over thousands of years, from the Minoans of Crete to the Mycenaeans.^1,2

Known for

Greece is known as the birthplace of democracy in ancient Athens and of the Olympic Games.³

Outside contact

Rome conquered Greece in 146 BC, and the Ottomans later ruled it for nearly four centuries.^4,5,6,7

The modern country

Modern Greece grew from a revolt that began in 1821, with independence recognized in 1830. The new state covered only part of today’s country; Crete, for example, joined later.⁵