“ Eleutheria and thanatos ” ( Greek Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος , [ elefθeˈria ˈi ˈθanatos ] - “ freedom or death ”) is the motto of the Hellenic Republic [1] [2] , the phrase consists of 9 syllables , just like the Greek flag has 9 blue and white stripes [3] [4] .
The motto arose during the Greek War of Independence in 1820 as a war cry for the Greeks who rebelled against Ottoman rule. Officially adopted after the revolution and is still used as a symbol of the determination of the people of Greece to fight against tyranny and oppression [5] .
See also
- Orthodoxy or death!
Notes
- ↑ Pedersen, Christian Fogd. The International Flag Book in Color. - Morrow, 1971. - P. 166.
- ↑ Crampton, William. Complete Guide to Flags. - Gallery Books, 1991. - P. 57. - ISBN 0-831-71605-3 .
- ↑ Hinde, Robert A. War: A Cruel Necessity? : the Bases of Institutionalized Violence. - IB Tauris, 1995. - P. 55. - ISBN 1-850-43824-2 .
- ↑ Smith, Whitney. Flag Lore of All Nations. - Milbrook Press, 2001. - P. 40. - ISBN 0-761-31753-8 .
- ↑ Encyclopedia of Britannica: “The Greek revolt was precipitated on March 25, 1821, when Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the flag of revolution over the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese. The cry "Freedom or Death" became the motto of the revolution. The Greeks experienced early successes on the battlefield, including the capture of Athens in June 1822, but infighting ensued. ”