ΑΝΑΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΣΗ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ ΑΝΕΝΕΡΓΟ ΜΠΛΟΓΚ “ΟΙ ΡΩΜΙΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΑΤΟΛΗΣ”
Το κείμενο του κ. Νίκου Μπαϋρακτάρη είχε αρχικά δημοσιευθεί την 14η Φεβρουαρίου 2019
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ΑΝΑΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΣΗ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ ΑΝΕΝΕΡΓΟ ΜΠΛΟΓΚ “ΟΙ ΡΩΜΙΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΑΤΟΛΗΣ”
Το κείμενο του κ. Νίκου Μπαϋρακτάρη είχε αρχικά δημοσιευθεί την 14η Φεβρουαρίου 2019
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Сергей МАРТЫЩЕНКО, заместитель директора, руководитель программ некоммерческой организации Evolutiоn&Philantropy Создание общей ценности - новая повестка для России
As the geographic territory under Roman control grew, the use of L.docxfredharris32
As the geographic territory under Roman control grew, the use of Latin as a common language also spread. In areas under Roman control, Latin was the spoken and written language of the courts and commerce, as well as the language of the Christian church. As the Roman Empire expanded, Latin served as a common language that allowed for people of diverse linguistic backgrounds to be able to communicate.
Latin, like other languages past and present, had more than one form and changed over time because it was both written and spoken, and the educational level or social status of the writer or speaker often determined the final form of the language. Latin was also influenced by local languages spoken or written within the larger territory under the influence of what later came to be known as the Roman Empire.
During the Carolingian Renaissance, throughout the reign of Charlemagne and his successors, the development of Latin literacy was greatly promoted. Although reading and writing were skills that some people had, literacy was not widespread before that time. Literacy in Latin was generally limited to people of the upper classes and members of the clergy. Charlemagne invited Alcuin of York to become his personal tutor and the head of his court school. Charlemagne charged Alcuin with the development of a literacy curriculum for children that would provide for their instruction in reading and writing, as well as for further study in the liberal arts and theology, thereby also furthering the Christian teachings that Charlemagne’s court promoted.
The promotion of literacy impacted education and language throughout the region. The demand for material relating to the interests of the ruling military class increased. Over time, vernacular languages, the languages commonly spoken, began to be used by writers. Until the 12th century, Latin was the primary language used by writers. French writers began the trend of using vernacular language in the 12th century, and by the end of that century, some government and legal documents in England and France were composed in the vernacular.
In the 12th century, literacy among women was also increasing. Though literacy in Latin was still somewhat limited to specific social classes, literacy in local vernacular languages was increasingly common. Eleanor of Aquitaine established the city of Poiters as a center for a literary movement focused on the art of courtly love. The troubadour and the female counterpart, the trobairitz, used poetry to share stories of romantic longing and unattainable love. This poetry represents the beginning of written expressions of love in the way romantic love continues to be perceived today. It focuses on the feelings associated with romantic love: longing, suffering, loss of appetite, temptation, loyalty, and a desire to do whatever possible to have the feeling of love reciprocated. As the poetry of the troubadour or trobairitz was recorded, it was written in the vernacular of the day. ...
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Greece historically in Katharevousa and Ancient Greek, Hellas, officially the Hellenic Republic is a country in Southern Europe, politically considered part of Western Europe.
The Spread of New Ways in Eurasia, 200 CE to 1000 CERequired Rea.docxjoshua2345678
The Spread of New Ways in Eurasia, 200 CE to 1000 CE
Required Reading
We will all read Chapter 4 in The Human Journey as well as other readings and videos specific to the Discussion Board topic you choose. Those readings can be found in the Discussion Board itself. To access the required reading, click on the Discussion Board link below and then on the Week Three Discussion 1 link.
There are two topics for each Discussion Board this week but you only write on one topic. It should take you about a day to read the materials for a Discussion Board. To help you follow what is happening historically to whom by whom and where, be sure to consult the time lines at the start of each chapter and the maps printed throughout the book. They will help orient you to the main developments we are studying.
At the end of the module, students should be able to:
· Explain "southernization"
· Compare and contrast the rise and spread of the world's major salvation religions
· Analyze the role of "Silk Roads" in facilitating the transfer of ideas and material goods across Eurasia
Lecture Notes and Key Terms
Lecture Notes from the Instructor
Rome After People
The Roman Empire had its continuation in the east as the Byzantine Empire. But in the west, Europe was shattered by the destruction of Roman institutions. It literally crumbled as people vacated the dying or destroyed urban centers and fled to the country and simpler rural lifeways.
In onsite classes, I like to show the History Channel program called Life After People to demonstrate what it must have felt like to watch a sophisticated complex urban civilization devolve back to nature in the post-classical era. It uses Computer-Generated Imaging to show that, in a scenario where people are removed, time destroys the icons of our complex industrial civilization. Vines tear apart skyscrapers and algae clogs Hoover Dam. The lights go out and nature and wildlife cover the urban landscape.You can rent or stream this video from Netflix.
Rome’s collapse sent Europe backward into a simpler, non-urbanized period. Imagine all the complexities of urban life that we’ve discussed – diversified roles, complex religions and rituals, and levels of classism from elites to slaves – falling apart. The population of the City of Rome itself was reduced from about 1 million to around 10,000.
Without slaves and overseers to maintain baths, theaters, aqueducts and other public amenities of urban Roman life all over Europe, these structures and the customs associated with them fell to ruin. Even literacy and theoretical knowledge fell by the wayside. Historians called it the “Dark Ages” because of an absence of writing from this period to “illuminate” for us what happened then.
Janet Abu-Lughod in her book, Before European Hegemony, paints a picture of Europe as a virtual backwater in the post-classical period. Not so the rest of the Old World! Trade and commerce, exchange of ideas, language, and culture, and a steady stream of.
REQUEST FOR A REVISIONSir I a forwarding a copy of the answer.docxsodhi3
REQUEST FOR A REVISION?
Sir I a forwarding a copy of the answer you submitted for an assignment and it makes no sense whatsoever? I am requesting that you revise it to answer the question competently and professionally. I have given you 5 stars hoping that I could re-edit, which is impossible. Please advice? I will also include the print out regarding Rome’s openness, which is very helpful? I am concerned that this opening statement is so unacceptable and exactly what is not acceptable? As you read it I am certain that you will agree?
Question One: Rome and its Openness
What positives and negatives did its openness cause to Ancient Rome - if any? Referring to our readings and lectures, point out some specific, concrete ways that its inclusiveness impacted the state. Did it affect the state in different ways at different times?
YOUR ANSWER; Confusing and badly edited?
Ancient Rome was centered on the city of Rome and is placed among the most successful imperial powers of the time. The phenomenal growth of the empire was achieved through strong political, military and social institutions. Unlike other empires of the time, Rome practiced an openness policy that allowed allies and subjects to participate in social and political activities and granted citizenship to those who adopted a roman lifestyle.
The openness policy had positive outcomes as it allowed the expansion of the traditional Roman culture through interactions with allies and the Greek. The mosaic culture was depicted in literature, art and in architecture. Openness to new ideas and knowledge allowed the Romans to advance their knowledge of geometry, geography, astronomy and philosophy (Gilmour, 2012). Opening up also changed the political attitude towards the subjects to incorporate human virtues of gentleness and leniency since they were humans. However, openness contributed to degeneration of ancient Rome traditions, entrance of undesirable customs and degradation of Latin in the society.
Due to contact with Greeks and other cultures, Romans integrated various vocabularies into their language. In addition, the garnering of new knowledge from various and multiple contacts expanded their knowledge of time and space and improved their view of the world through scientific advancements. The Greeks also influenced the Romans to incorporate human virtues in governance of the subjects and make legislations aimed at curbing corruption to minimize corruption (Gilmour, 2012). The inclusivity of many citizens made it hard to maintain the Roman traditions and entrench Latin as the official language.
This inclusivity affected the state contingently at different times. Initially, there was less impact since it practiced assimilation of individuals into the Roman culture and granted allies and subjects citizenship. However, as the empire expanded, it came into contact with different cultures and the dominant Greek culture and started exchanging cultures. With lapse of time, cultural aspects ...
Introduction to Values ofLOYALTY and THE INDIVIDUALin the Byzantin.docxvrickens
Introduction to Values ofLOYALTY and THE INDIVIDUALin the Byzantine - Islamic - Early EuropeanCultural Matrix
divided into the Byzantine, Islamic, Feudal European, Urban European,and Dynastic European Cultural Matrixes
from 324 to 1648 C.E.
Contents
1.
From Loyalty to The Individual
2.
Values of UNIFIED LOYALTY in the Byzantine Cultural Matrix
3.
Values of UNIFIED LOYALTY in the Islamic Cultural Matrix
4.
The Early European Cultural Matrix (476 to 1648)
5.
Values of UNIFIED LOYALTY in the Feudal European Cultural Matrix
6.
Values of DIVIDED LOYALTY in the Urban European Cultural Matrix
7.
Values of THE INDIVIDUAL in the Dynastic European Cultural Matrix
The links in the title of sections 2-7 lead you to the full document
From Loyalty to The Individual
1. In this unit, we will consider some of the developments within the Mediterranean Cultural Matrix from the time of the breakup of the Roman Empire to the start of the nation-state system in western Europe. As we trace these developments, we detect a movement from the value of loyalty to the value of the individual. We will see the shift represented through three values that, at one time or another, play an integrating role in the various societies of the Mediterranean Cultural Matrix. The three values are:
unified loyalty
divided loyalty
the individual
As we observe how these values play out over the period covered in this unit, we find models of unified loyalty in the Byzantine, Islamic, and Feudal European Cultural Matrixes. As the Feudal Cultural Matrix gave way to what we call the Urban Cultural Matrix in Europe, we discover a process through which loyalty divides, so that people's loyalties are split in various ways. It seems that when the divisions finally run deep enough, people discover that their primary loyalty is to themselves. It no longer makes sense to use "loyalty" as a way of describing this situation, because loyalty -- if it is to have any meaning at all -- must be to someone or something outside oneself. Once it makes the inward turn, we may appropriately speak of the value of the individual. We shall see some of the triumphs and pitfalls of this value as we examine our final European matrix, which we call the "Dynastic" European Cultural Matrix.
1.1. The relationship between the value of loyalty and the value of the individual is essentially one of conflict. We gain a sense of this conflict by considering contemporary life in the United States, where we profess to place high value on loyalty. At the same time, we profess to place high value on the market in economics and freedom in politics, two values that would not seem to easily coincide with loyalty. Isn't the actual value of loyalty in our shared society an open question? We might consider loyalty more of a Feudal and religious value than a capitalist one, calling up images of knightly chivalry and codes of honor /see Wolfe 46/, devotion to God and Christian/Islamic religious institutions. An astonishing act of dis ...
PAGE 15LECTURE 4THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIEVAL TO MODERN .docxalfred4lewis58146
PAGE
15
LECTURE 4
THE TRANSITION: FROM MEDIEVAL TO MODERN EUROPE (THE RENAISSANCE), 14th-17thCenturies
I. The Renaissance: A Rebirth of Learning (1300-1650)
A. The word “renaissance” means “rebirth” or “revival”
B. In history, this word refers to a 300-year period in
Europe that in Western Europe marked the revival of art,
literature and learning
1. It is significant that this revival served as a bridge, or
transition, between medieval and modern Western
Europe
2. We find a greater level of achievement and
European self-consciousness
C. Some historians have argued that this period represented a
sharp break with the past, while others have noted that the
change was more evolutionary or an outgrowth of the
Later Middle Ages
1. It is true that the Reinassance had roots in many
aspects of the medieval heritage, especially the
church-run universities of learning, the forms and
subject matter of literature, and the rudiments of
science
2. Of course, the emphasis of intellectual trends began
to change more noticeably after the 14th century
II. Distinctive Features of the Renaissance
A. It began with:
1. The rediscovery of the Greco-Roman civilization,
which had been generally neglected during the
Middle Ages
2. Emphasized reason, a questioning attitude,
experimentation, and free inquiry—in contrast with
the medieval concern with religious faith, authority,
and tradition
3. The Renaissance glorified the individual and
approved of worldly pleasures, viewing life as
worthwhile for its own sake, not chiefly as
preparation for the hereafter
4. Focused attention upon worldly matters arising out
of a secular society (secularization), rather than the
medieval preoccupation with the Roman Catholic
Church and religious affairs
5. Finally, the Renaissance featured great achievements
in literature, art, and science
III. The Renaissance Started in Italy
A. Arose first in Italian cities because:
1. As the center of Greco-Roman culture, Italy
contained sculptures, buildings, roads, and
manuscripts that excited curiosity about
classical (ancient) civilization
2. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Italy had
absorbed stimulating new ideas from the Byzantine
and Muslim worlds
3. Benefiting from the revival of trade that resulted
from the Crusades in the Middle Ages, Italy had
wealthy, influential people who became patrons
(supporters) of literature, art, and science (much
later in history, it was the state and its governmental
structures that did the same thing)
a. Some examples of leading Renaissance patrons
included: certain Popes in Rome (Bishop of
Rome), wealthy .
Presentation de la ville de Satovcha par le participants au cours erasmus+ ka1 in rome “Grand Tour in Europe: Creativity, Innovation, Active Citizenship and Intercultural Dialogue”
Presentation des participants au cours Erasmus+ Grand Tour in Europe: Creativity, Innovation, Active Citizenship and Intercultural Dialogue in Rome 14-19 October 2019
1. The Myth of Europe – Roma Caput Mundi
Europe is made of people. Normally everybody is born belonging to a people, for the most this
makes out the distinct element that characterizes their identity. Every people has roots that go far
back and founds its pride and territorial claims on the achievements of their ancestors.
The development of all European nations has been slow and complicated. Contradictions and total
ruptures occurred and the results could have been totally different. Basically, people and their
nationalisms are abstract concepts that attach importance to some elements and dissolve many
others. The different people of Europe do not descend from one original stock, just as if they were
branches of the same genealogic tree, but from different ethnic medleys or changes in ethnic
belonging. All historical people have a heterogeneous origin, where small ethnic groups have
worked as catalyzers for the association of bigger groups. Normally the original core, referring to a
myth, would retrace the steps of the community until it would find a far origin from where they
could draw their prestige. At the same time the core of origin would create rules and require a
certain behavior that all members of the community had to follow. It is of great importance to
understand that this was possible not because of closed small groups, but thanks to cores with an
open identity that made the integration of people belonging to different ethnic groups possible.
At present it is clear that those nations that gave minor importance to ethnic unity were the ones that
had most success. The fact that the future depends on the capacity of overcoming barriers, prejudice
and diversity of any kind, is evident. Studying European people, their history and their
contradictions show that overcoming differences and inequalities respecting a single people is
possible.
Modern European nations and their nationalistic ideologies at the present state are a creation of the
last two hundred years. Nonetheless these nations would not exist without the preliminary historical
substrate. A good example is given by the Roman Empire: since it started to become Europe the
existing ethnic panorama contained already most of the names that were to become the names of the
modern nations.
The name Europe, currently so often used, has become part of the common language even if most
do not know its ethimology. Europe is a word of Greek origin and an uncertain meaning. Originally
it described a geographic concept that embraced all territories and people from the Atlantic coast to
the Don and the Caucasus region. The geographic concept, linked to the word Europe, starts to have
an ethic-politic meaning a long time ago, when a Greek treatise, dating back to the 5th century BC,
describes the climate, waters and places and opposes the Asian people- described as corrupt and
coward – to the Europeans that were considered courageous and inclined to freedom. The Greek
treatise suggests to follow the example of Greece that is part of Europe but considered more
elevated than the other European countries.
This conceptual interpretation, that is concise and clear in many aspects, evolves during the
following centuries and is used up to the 3rd century BC, especially by the kings of Macedony, for
political propaganda. The latter decided that the heart of the old continent had to coincide with a
balcanic area ruled at the time by the Macedonians. The historian Polibian started to redefine the
European concept during the 2nd century BC, disconnecting it from the Macedonian limits and
reconnecting it to physical and political geography. According to Polybius the European continent,
from Spain to Greece is politically unified by Rome. In his Storie Polybius describes Europe as an
area where Barbarians, Romans and Greek live together with the idea of being the counterpart to
Asia.
Polybius is a precious witness and fundamental for the understanding of the most ancient concept of
Europe, and he is the starting point for the comprehension of the approach of the Roman people
towards the concept linked to the European continent. When the Romans start to be interested in
Europe they face a word already full of meanings, history and contents, some of them incompatible
with others. This does not mean that the Romans tried to change the concepts linked to the word but
on the contrary they were disinterested in most meanings connected to Europe and exclusively
interested in the geographical aspect of it. This means that during the 1st century AD the Romans
2. considered the word Europe a simple geographical expression with no political, ethical, cultural or
sentimental meaning.
Even during the Augustean period the Romans maintained the same attitude towards Europe and the
only intellectual that fought- idealistically- for freedom and a united continent was the Greek
historian Dionysus from Halicarnassus. He continued the work commenced by Polybius and had
the same kind of approach to the subject and reasserted the theory that Europe stands for a whole of
moral values that should keep together different people that wish to be free and ready to defeat
threatening enemies. This happens at the end of the 1st century AD when the Romans rule the old
continent and expand their Empire in all directions, but at the same time the Greek, as witnessed by
Dionysus of Halicarnassus, claim a role of exceptional importance within the Roman Empire and
refuse to be equal to the other subject people as they consider them provincial.
Nonetheless, nothing seems to change for the Romans as they continue to hold a detached and cold
position towards Europe and the only changes made are an ethnic hierarchy. That is the Romans
were the best people, followed by the Gauls, who deserved respect and esteem and the third and last
rank was given to the Orientals, the Greek being part of them. The Romans found the only possible
Europe a place where Italy and Rome were the geographical core that included far away territories
and that considered the Greek, careless of their many intellectuals, more Asian than European.
Maybe we could consider the Roman's unconcern towards Europe the weak spot of the great
Empire; as a common feeling in a multitude of different regional, cultural and ethnic identities of
the people, linked to a concept called Europe, could have had a lasting effect on the duration of the
Empire.
Europe as a concept rises from oblivion of the Roman minds only when the great empire starts to
loose its classic and ital-centric form. According to historic sources, just before the 3rd century AD
the concept linked to the old continent re-emerges as a geographic idea with a strong political and
administrative value due to the enormous size of the imperial territory. In a certain way everything
was linked to Settimius Severus' project; he wanted to divide the Empire between his two sons- one
was to rule the European part with Rome as capital city, whereas the other one would rule the
Asiaticoriental part with the capital being either Alexandria or Antioch.
History holds evidence that Settimius Severus' plan was put into effect in 395 AD, when emperor
Theodosius 1st died. Certainly already during the reign of Settimius Severus a less emptyinane
concept of Europe was present. On the contrary it is also true that the big Roman senator families
were keen to defend their millenary traditions and at the end did not care much about Europe.
As usual the strenuous defense of Europe came from the Greek culture. During the 4th century AD,
the heirs of Polybius and Dionysus of Halicarnassus submitted once again the dualism between
Europe and Asia in their treatise and stated the supremacy of the European armies compared to the
Asian ones; obviously this time the Greek people being considered part of the European concept.
The Greek considered Athens the moral and intellectual capital of entire Europe, even if the deep
meaning that comes to light reading the defensive harangue between the lines seems an ultimate
attempt to save the Hellenic tradition that was slowly dying away.
At this point, the end of the ancient world is near and a spontaneous question arises: where does the
concept Europe come from? Especially considering that the epicenter has clearly been moved more
towards west than east. Certainly during the 5th century AD, with the fall of the Western Roman
Empire, the contrast between east and west ceased as the millenary political structure that referred
to ancient Rome did not exist anymore. But the people that had filled that political structure did still
exist; there still were a religion, a culture and a language that tied together many people and who
suddenly was in need of a concept able to synthesize and summarize their common belonging.
So who or what came to rescue Europe? In a certain way, the barbaric people, who wanted to
destroy Europe, were the ones who rescued the old continent. Various historic sources show
evidence of historians, scholars, religious and ecclesiastic people unified in a battle for Europe and
against the Barbarians. The Gallic-Roman historian Sidone Apollinare, Pope Gregorius Magnus, the
Irish monk saint Colombanus and the great Spanish bishop Isidore of Seviglia seem to be united by
their will to defend Italy and the transalpine territories from the hordes of Barbarians. Once the
3. hordes were defied, the terror, plundering and destruction brought by the Barbarians were not
forgotten. This time the word Europe stood clearly for Italy and the western provinces of Italy that
used to be part of the Roman Empire. A surprising and admirable confluence of intellectuals of
different origin took place and by referring to Europe they did not intend the mere geographical
aspect of it but considered Europe itself as the first and most important element of a unitary identity.
Apparently the defeat of a universal, and therefore not only European empire as the Roman one,
was necessary to distinguish the homogeneous and modern concept of Europe. Certainly the
concept was taken from the past but adapted to the new historic focus and spiritual needs and filled
with new contents. New Europe that rose from the ruins of the Roman Empire remained in the
embryonic status until the 7th-8th century AD, when Charles the Great founded the Sacred Roman
Empire that was born from the ashes of the previous one and reflected a true European identity.
So even if at the beginning of the Middle Ages a so-called European consciousness existed, this
does not mean that medieval Europe had the same prerogatives as today. During the Middle Ages
the myth about origin was pursued and several ways of constructing an identity were attempted. All
efforts were based on texts and treatises that almost always had a hidden political purpose. The only
fact that appears very distinctly is that during the Middle Ages the world changed quickly.
During the ten centuries that separate the fall of the Roman Empire (476 AD) from the discovery of
America (1492) many facts that enrich the European concept took place. Starting from the invasions
by the Mediterranean area that overcame the principal coastal people of Roman origin in Italy and
Spain and forced them to retire towards the inland, and the subsequent rising of the Gallic-
Germanic directional area.
During the Middle Ages, the first projects that aimed at the enforcement of coordination between
the European nations were made. It might appear strange but during the 8th century AD the first
explicit recognition of Europe as a common homeland, with all implications linked to this concept,
was made. As many times before, several different ethnic groups decided to unite in order to defy a
common foreign enemy. This happened during the battle of Poitiers, where different ethnic groups,
led by Charles Martello and united by a true European spirit, fought against the Arabs.
Religion was another strong unifying element for Europe during the Middle Ages. During the
Middle Ages the supremacy of the religious elements over the political one was constant and
fundamental. In this case the emperors, first Charles Martello and later his successors, overtook the
role of protector and spreader of Christianity. Once again the Arabs played an external unifying
role, triggering off indirectly the crusades and the battle against Muslims and for the liberation of
the Holy Sepulcher. The latter was the target able to put aside the controversies between European
countries that started to talk about a federal organization, confederation and association and began
to think about concepts and principles that somehow are still on our minds.
The religious aspect started to become less important when the humanistic culture began and
therefore the European concept was not merely linked to a devotional faith anymore. During
Renaissance Europeans started to be considered and to consider themselves inhabitants of a precise
geographical area united by the same cultural and moral values and a similar level of civilization,
despite the many controversies between the European nations.
The embryonic idea of Europe that took shape during Renaissance was completed during the 16th
century when Europe and the Europeans decided to integrate the political aspect, that was
fundamental and of great importance, into the concept. During the Cinquecento many people were
convinced of the importance of going beyond the idea that considered Christianity the basis
of common European people and thought that the political organization inside and outside the
nations would be able to define and shape the balance of the old continent.
During the 16th century, the relationships and interdependences between European nations and the
rest of the world started to intensify. Certainly the basis of the globalization everybody talks and
discusses about at present are to be found in the 19th and 20th century when the consequences of
industrialization spread over the planet, but somehow the roots are also to be found in more ancient
times when the great expansion of the European countries towards America, the new world, and the
other partly discovered continents, took place. In modern times 'small Europe' was directly or
4. indirectly in control of a consistent part of the world inducing enormous changes that influenced
many European and non European people.
Among others the European expansion in the modern era represents a great modernization and
brings evidence of the fundamental role played by Europe, and obviously the Europeans, in the
creation of a globalized and integrated world, considering the positive meaning of the concept.
In short Europe has a good deal of responsibility of the positive and negative consequences that
influence the lives of every inhabitant of the planet.
If history gives us all this knowledge what do myth, legends, literature and art hand down? Many
nations believe they have noble and ancient origins, whereas often the so called 'historic profundity'
does not date back further then the 19th century. Very often people seize their ancient origin to give
force and finesse to their identity, ignoring that probably the most ancient identity they should refer
to is the European one; whereas the nationalism sustained by many people is certainly a more recent
cultural and political phenomenon
Europe is first of all the name of a beautiful Phoenician princess and became only later a geographic
or political concept, cultural and economic identity or an organic and organized community.
First written witnesses concerning the myth of Europe date back to the time of Homer, around 8th
century BC. However, myths would be handed over orally even before being written down. The
mythological stories about princess Europe spread, initially only in the oral form, during a period of
time that lasted from 19th century BC till the 15th century BC.
The myth tells about a Phoenician princess that one morning, while she was at the shore with her
maids to refreshen and pick and twist flowers, she attracted Jupiter’s attention who was struck by
her beauty and decided to conquer her. The god descended from the Olympus and transformed into
a white bull that joined the girl on the beach. The girl was struck by the animal's majesty and beauty
and because it was very gentle and benevolent, started to caress it. She convinced herself to try and
ride on it. The bull, who had been good until the girl mounted on his back, suddenly started to
gallop into the sea and did not stop until he reached Crete. Once they had arrived on the island the
animal showed its true identity and returned to being Jupiter. He and Europe had three children
Minosses, Radamanthys and Sarpedontes.
The myth continues telling how Europe's brothers departed and searched for her, but the aspect that
is most interesting is that the ancient Greek decided to call the territory north of Crete ‘Europe’ in
honor of the Phoenician princess. Europe’s children gave origin to other even more famous myths
as the ones about the Minotaur and about Arianne.
The myth of Europe was handed down orally for centuries and later re-interpreted through
literature, poetry and art. Ancient writers, famous artists and poets have developed the mythological
tale during centuries and embellished it with literary or figurative ornaments, adding some quite
fascinating details.
Generally the myth of Europe represents a shifting of civilization from East to West. The short
history of the Phoenician princess symbolizes a migration and a colonization that moves from minor
Asia towards territories lying north or north eastern from it, those – as mentioned before-were
called Europe.
So what is Europe from a mythological or historical point of view? A continent? A geographical
area? A cultural identity?
Apparently at present, in the 21 century, the West, once identified with Europe, has moved towards
the American continent. With Europe lying at its borders that was still maintaining a certain right of
maternity.
The question we should now ask is: are we entitled to conceive the concept of Europe as a union?
Discuss Europe, think about Europe and 'think Europe' coincides more and more with a bet, because
every day could be the one before an important moment that might never come or, on the contrary,
might have already started: the union of Europe.
While some steps have already been taken but it is evident that current Europe is still missing
something. In the time of globalization the distinguishing features of culture, behavior and life
standard proposed and accepted by the world, might have European roots and origins but it is
5. obvious that the world is not euro-centric anymore and Europe lost its spatial and temporal
centrality.
So far it is easier to find Europe outside Europe and at this point it would be useful to find a
common identity, taking as a starting point the present pluralities contained in our good old
continent.