Greece - Geography, Economy & Culture

[@Geodiode]

The mainland and islands of Greece. A mecca for beach lovers and hunters of historical sites. Share your experiences of visiting this country, or if you're from here, which city/district you're in, and your thoughts on the country at the moment...

[@herbdick4112]

My maternal grandfather was born in Athens and came to America in the late 1930s. He was a barber. He lived in Iowa until the early 1940s, at which time he settled in Seattle WA.

[@lisawilder3640]

I am engaged to a Greek man from Kalamata and we watched your two videos about Greece tonight. Your first video pertaining to Greek history literally made me cry tears of pride. Thank you for sharing with the world the truth about Greece. It is without a doubt the greatest country on earth in terms of what it has contributed to the world. I agree with you about Vangelis and to dedicate the videos to him was also very touching. Bravo.

[@Geodiode]

@@lisawilder3640 that is a truly heartwarming comment. Thank you so much! Yes, I grew up with Vangelis' music and I have more CDs of his than any other artist. I hope you're able to visit Kalamata on a regular basis! I have yet to visit that corner of Greece, but it sounds so peaceful...

[@Geodiode]

@@SpartanLeonidas1821 yes I visited Greece on my first adult adventure in 1993. Myself and a friend backpacked mostly around the mainland for two weeks. I always meant to go back, but life got in the way! I will return soon, this time to visit more of the western side and deeper peloponnese. Glad you feel the same way about Vangelis. I wonder... how much is he revered by his own countrymen? I'm guessing he's a household name... And which city are you in?

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

I'm a Greek from Kavala in Eastern macedonia. Your two works about our troubled homeland and the Greek world were excellent. May I ask where are you come from?

[@miljus73]

Greece is one of the best things which happened in my life. Best wishes from Serbia. Σαγαπο Ελλαδα.

[@anastasiatheodoridou6883]

The Greek Flag is blue and white as the sky, sea and waves of the sea…resembles the mass of water waves surrounding it when it proudly flies! According to tradition, the nine stripes represent the nine syllables of the phrase "Freedom or Death" (E-le-fthe-ri-a i Tha-na-tos in Greek), the motto of the Greek Revolution. The cross symbolises our Orthodoxy! A flag of spirit, ethos and pride!

[@Geodiode]

Thanks for sharing. There is that information out there about the meaning, although i was not able to confirm in my research if that was not retro applied to it rather than it being there during it's inception

[@georgiosa.9893]

As a Greek, I confirm the explanation about the flag!

[@artemissadlier1293]

Loved this! Thank you!

[@Hi.Im.Random-cv7rj]

Ngl Greece has one of the most special and unique flag out there in the world.

[@SuperFly00-00]

As a Greek from Australia I can also confirm that this was taught, and continues to be taught, in both Greece and Australia and I can personally confirm this as I went to school in both countries. The 9 stripes represents 2 words, Ζωή Θάνατος (Zoi Thanatos) translating to Life Death which arose during the Ottoman occupation and Greece's liberation. It was a term used as encouragement meaning its either a life of freedom or death, no in-between of slavery or occupation and was created after Greece unified as a country after the win over Ottoman occupation. 🧡 Hope this helped!

[@Ptolemy336VV]

Greece is truly breathtakingly stunning! Utterly diverse geography and topography, 80% snowcapped mountains, 16.000km of the most crystal clear seas, 400 wetlands, 800 natural hotsprings, spectacular nature, 15.000 caves. 18.000 registered archaeological sites, incredoble culture, highest biodoversity in Europe with high endemism. Its a caleidosope of diversity in endless ways

[@vickidrakopoulou1591]

Your remarkable videos have impressed me very much. I am Greek, born in the USA and lived there for 30 years, and then moved to Greece and have been here over 40 years. The amount of information that you have provided is incredible. I am immersed these past few years with the ancient Greek philosophers, it is incredible the wealth of knowledge they discovered and how it can still relate to our world today. I believe that would be a subject of much interest to many viewers, how about looking at this possibility? I have forwarded your work to many people. You stand apart from the crowd, you clearly love what you are doing and you give us knowledge and the opportunity to see our world with honesty. Thank you.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you very much Vicki, for such a detailed and considered comment. Yes, it is truly amazing how relevant the writings of the ancient Greeks were to our modern world. I may delve into this subject in a future video, possibly... let's see!

[@bonniecassler7214]

Gorgeous, the most beautiful place on earth! Author Mary Stewart says,in one of her books, My Brother Michael,that we of the western world,have two countries, our own,and Greece.

[@Geodiode]

I'd agree!

[@alfaholicsgreece]

As a Greek i wanna thank you for the detailed and acurrated video about our country. You showed a lot passion and love making it. The same passion and love we have for our country. Special thanks for the amazing intro. You filled my eyes with tears and my heart with pride !! Σε ευχαριστω !!

[@Geodiode]

Aww thanks so much! I'm glad it warmed your Greek heart! I know I'll certainly get a big welcome next time I visit! ;)

[@grioulaloula8594]

I’m a history lover and have some knowledge of Greece. For some reason or another, I haven’t had a desire to go to Greece. This is probably good because you get a lot of tourists. However, this video changed my mind. Now, I want to visit Greece! Hopefully, I can travel there one day. What a beautiful country that has a fascinating history.

[@geodiodeenespanol]

I'm really amazed of how the western civilization is influence by this little country in many aspect! Excellent presentation of Greece, Thanks for take your time to prepare such valuable episode!

[@Geodiode]

It's really without equal in this regard

[@DCCrisisclips]

We are a little country because Greece lost it's capital Constantinople and the other half of Greece to Turkey,

[@georgios_5342]

Thing is it didn't use to be little. It was significantly larger in a time when all other civilizations were significantly smaller. Then it ceased to exist as a country for centuries, before miraculously coming back in the modern day. Greece could have very easily ended up like the Sumerians, Egyptians or Romans. A sidenote in the history books.

[@cyrusthegreat1893]

Yes, but Greek civilization itself was also inspired by the Phoenician and Mesopotamians. For instance, the original Greek writing system in which both Latin and Cyrillic have derived from was adopted from the ancient Phoenicians.

[@nickduplooy8845]

​@@georgios_5342 pretty sure Rome is a bit more significant than a sidenote, lol

[@dorothy-z]

Yes, this little country is blessed. The Greek spirit goes through thick and thin. There is a Greek saying that goes like this: Greece will never die! I honestly hope that this jewel in the East-Mediterranean sea will be just there for us to come and witness this beautiful country and the famous Greek hospitality.

[@Geodiode]

Totally agree!

[@normiew]

One of the greatest countries in the world when it comes to geography and climate

[@supermavro6072]

and debt

[@gnazlis]

😂

[@sallycoop935]

@@supermavro6072others countries have debts too But they have not the history. Some countries’ currency is devalued daily and they depend on handouts from Qatar

[@nikosvallianos]

As a Greek, I felt emotion with your work about my country. I don't know why. I appreciate your effort. Thank you very match.

[@Geodiode]

Wow, thank you! Yes, it's an emotional subject for me too!

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

I regard greek culture as the cradle of our western european culture and civilisation - wonderful :)

[@supermavro6072]

Is your bavarian creator who told you that ?

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

@@supermavro6072 ha - nope - my greek gods and goddesses;)

[@gnas1897]

Western European culture?? Not really.

[@NAHAJI133]

It is a magical beauty on our planet.

[@piewert787]

RIP Vangelis. Truly one of the best to ever do it.

[@Geodiode]

Agreed!

[@isleman2]

I have nothing to say that has not already been said other than these documentaries are criminally underrated. Thank you so much for your work, and I pray you are of good health so as to continue posting these! Have a blessed day.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you so much! Yes, don't worry, I'll be around for many years making these!

[@marianenos-politis7793]

I love where I am from. I have lived in the US since 1969 but every time I fly back home... When the plane lands in Athens tears fill my eyes because I know I am Home!!!! ❤️

[@Geodiode]

I can resonate with that! The very first time I stepped foot off the plane at Thessaloniki 25 years ago, it was very emotional. But I had never been to Greece, well, not in THIS lifetime anyway ;)

[@Buttercup697]

Come back! I left America for Greece last year! 💙

[@eugenia_b73]

Thank you so much for these two amazing videos on Greece, and as you requested your viewers to leave comments, I will oblige. I was born in Athens in 1950 and my family emigrated to South Africa in 1963 where I have lived ever since. Obviously, Greece has been a huge influence in my life and the older I get the more I miss the country, the mountains, the sea, the food, the language and the music. Which brings me to a point I'd like to raise regarding important Greek musicians and artists, and that is that I expected the name Maria Callas to be mentioned along with Nana Mouskouri and Vangelis. Also, there is a "new" Greek tenor that is taking the world by storm and that is Mario Frangoulis, and I would encourage all people who read this to look him up, read about his accomplishments, and listen to his amazing voice.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you very much. So funny that i covered these two countries one after the other (see South Africa video just before this). Regarding Maria Callas, yes in retrospect i should have mentioned her, but left her out as she wasn't born in Greece, but is thoroughly Greek as others in the comments have told me!

[@MostPowerfulPMofIndia]

This is a heaven for a geography lover like me

[@Geodiode]

Glad you found the channel!

[@southerncross4956]

Again, thank you for another excellent work. My respect for the people and lands of Greece has created in me a greater valuing of both.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you very much!

[@Vivec]

I'm over the moon that I stumbled upon your phenomenal channel mate, cannot wait for your next video, I've binged all of your content. Keep up the great work!

[@Geodiode]

Wow, thanks! I'm glad you found us! Welcome aboard. And now that you've binged... you'll have to watch them all over again ;)

[@nestor144]

Beautiful presentation from the heart, thank you

[@Geodiode]

Thank you too!

[@boriszinvor7933]

Ooohhhhh! 🙏🇬🇷Ellada forever

[@nicoangel690]

Thank you for telling our story in truth and love !

[@Geodiode]

Welcome!

[@Rayceemon]

Wonderful overview of a land so rich in history and culture. Simply beautiful. Those sandy beaches look even more inviting in the midst of a cold Canadian winter.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you!

[@jimsteele3423]

I really enjoy the video of Greece , I am half Greek love the Greek History Thank you for the videos

[@Geodiode]

Thx v much Jim!

[@lefterismagkoutas4430]

Amazing video! Thank you for this! Love from Crete, Greece!

[@Geodiode]

Thank you! My best wishes to your beautiful and unique island!

[@keithcarlson1409]

Wonderful series about Greece. I’m about to visit again after almost 40 years, and this was inspiring and informative. Thank you!

[@Geodiode]

Wonderful!

[@tommanos2596]

This was an excellent and educational video. Thank you, from someone who's ancestors emigrated to the USA in 1919.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you Tom! I hope you got a chance to watch Part 1 also.

[@srfrg9707]

Thank you for your wonderful video. Since a Greek artist was the motivation for this excellent work let us remember another immortal diva. Maria Callas.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you! Yes, I was aware of Maria, but because she was born outside Greece, I decided to be strict on my criteria, which is why she didn't appear.

[@srfrg9707]

@@Geodiode I understand. That said, being Greek never was about the place where one is born. My father's family was Egyptiote (Greeks of Egypt). My grand mother from the other side was born under the rule of the Ottomans. Thanks again for your nice videos.

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

Let's not forget Zagoreos. "Prayeee-e-ea-er.... I tear apart the mountains and everywhere I'm asking"

[@Geodiode]

@@srfrg9707 yes, I can relate to that viewpoint!

[@thegamercarlton2248]

They have one of the most recognizable flag 🇬🇷 Plus the county is so dam beautiful Also they're language is one of the oldest language in the world

[@Geodiode]

100%!

[@Buttercup697]

Yeah, and it’s not an easy language to learn. Άντε καλά!!

[@ioannistasopoulos99]

@@Geodiode I just want to point out that the nine stripes of our flag actually symbolize the nine syllables of the Greek motto “Freedom or death” which originated from the independence resistance of 1821.

[@supermavro6072]

one the oldest language that have been spoken since 1821 A.D.

[@Ptolemy336VV]

@@supermavro6072 Nonsense my uneducated low IQ'd simpleton, there are endless sources, archaeological evidences, linguistics that put the Greek language as the oldest continuous living language on earth based on written attestation of 3500 years. 2nd in the world is Chinese with 3250 years of written attestation till this day and 3rd is Hebrew 3100 years. Did you know you can open any book, google, ask a history professor from any renowned university around the world and any scientific source to educate you

[@johnalafis1004]

Thank you for paying tribute to Vangelis !!

[@Davesgotitmade]

I watched both videos and they are fantastic! I love Greece and learned a lot. Thank you! ❤

[@Geodiode]

Thanks so much David!

[@efstratiossaradeas409]

Most beautiful country by far…And I have been all over the world…

[@Geodiode]

Hard to disagree on that ! :)

[@lupusHegemonia]

The land of THE GODS, my land... HELLAS! Thank you for your amazing video, again!!! "EΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ ΘΕΡΜΑ"!

[@epicure751]

You are a true Philhellene, my friend. The Greeks always stride to present to people of other ethnicities the various contributions of the Hellenic Civilisation to humanity, even when they are incapable of eloquently or accurately describing this multifaceted offering. It is, indeed, indescribable the feeling of being able to understand a text that an ancestor of yours carved on a piece of marble 2500 years ago, as if it was written by you yourself sometime in the near past. It is, indeed, impossible to put into words a History so wide that it covers a space from Albion to Bactria and a time from Minos to Papanikolaou. To add to these, the Hellenic Civilisation was probably the first to include people from all backgrounds on the criterion that they speak the Greek language, a medium of communication abounding with the words and ways of the Hellenes. These are truths that we, Modern Greeks, tend to forget, or obscure even, focusing on our misfortunes. This is why the Philhellenes have much to offer to us, Hellenes. Personalities like Marguerite Yourcenar, Peter Mackridge, Mario Vitti, Jacqueline de Romilly are highly respected by the Greek people, for they remind us and the world that the Hellenic Civilisation moved humanity a step further, by revealing to us this step's cultural, sociopolitical and scientific footprint. Your nuanced documentaries are a contribution of this sort, and I as a Greek appreciate them deeply, σε ευχαριστώ φίλε, να είσαι καλά. As Isocrates put it: Τοσοῦτον δ' ἀπολέλοιπεν ἡ πόλις ἡμῶν περὶ τὸ φρονεῖν καὶ λέγειν τοὺς ἄλλους ἀνθρώπους, ὥσθ' οἱ ταύτης μαθηταὶ τῶν ἄλλων διδάσκαλοι γεγόνασιν, καὶ τὸ τῶν Ἑλλήνων ὄνομα πεποίηκεν μηκέτι τοῦ γένους, ἀλλὰ τῆς διανοίας δοκεῖν εἶναι, καὶ μᾶλλον Ἕλληνας καλεῖσθαι τοὺς τῆς παιδεύσεως τῆς ἡμετέρας ἢ τοὺς τῆς κοινῆς φύσεως μετέχοντας. So far has Athens left the rest of mankind behind in thought and expression that her pupils have become the teachers of the world, and she has made the name of Hellas distinctive no longer of race but of intellect, and the title of Hellene a badge of education rather than of common descent. Panegyricus, 50.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you so much "Epicurean" ;). I really appreciate your words, and I totally agree with them. If you read some of the other comments, though, it is remarkable to see the decay in the education of people here in the West in the last generation or so, as they feel offended by my (true) narrative that Greece was almost single-handedly responsible for so much of the elevation of our collective civilisation today. Thanks again, and stay proud!

[@johng799]

Greece is paradise 🇬🇷

[@georgiatsitlidou6414]

The most amazing country!!

[@0v3rthinker17]

Extremely underrated! Wonderful work, a lot of interesting information, really great and solid audio and video here. Also special thanks for making subtitles in foreign languages! Keep it up!

[@Geodiode]

Thank you very much! Please spread the word if you can 😉

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

As with the previous episode, spectacularly well done - bravo!

[@Geodiode]

Thank you so much!

[@kperaki]

And again, thank you so much! Impressive! Ευχαριστώ πολύ!

[@miareal1746]

Thank you for a great taken on a very important civilisation 👏🙏❤️

[@Geodiode]

Our pleasure!

[@grammelgrimm123-ug7nl]

Greece, the land of myths and legends, homeland where the events of the classic God Of War take place, land of statues of naked men, land of philosophers and poets, land of gods with questionable morality, land where Kratos, Perseus, Theseus, Heracles, the Nemean lion, the Erna hydra, and the griffins were born, I really like Greek myths, I should go to Greece someday in my life, greetings from Chile.

[@maryalex1401]

I would like to express my appreciation for your tremendous work. Very grateful indeed for the time and effort to show us such a magnificent presentation.. Warm greetings to you from Cyprus. ❤

[@Geodiode]

Thanks so much! I will cover your country in a future video. I'm sorry I gave it so little mention in the Greek History. It was a big oversight that occurred due to the massive scope of the project.

[@maryalex1401]

@@Geodiode thank you for your kind reply. Very much looking forward to it! 🙏🏻

[@anestistsitenidis9906]

Σου αξίζει ενα μεγαλο μπράβο και ενα μεγαλο ευχαριστώ, You deserve a big nravo and a gig thank you.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you so much! Please share among your Greek World. And don't forget Part 1 ;)

[@ريتاريتافاضل]

I loved your videos, your videos titles, and your geographic information , thanks for those videos.

[@Geodiode]

Glad you like them! Thank you!

[@alperenbaser7952]

Thanks you for showing us .This beautiful country with your great talent and also hugs to my greek friends other side of Aegean .Efcharisto

[@Geodiode]

Thanks again for your magnanimity towards your Western neighbors, alperen

[@alperenbaser7952]

@@Geodiode It s no problem . We are one mediterrenean people . Turkish culture has a lot of stuff originated from Greek culture and Greek has a lot of Turkish culture . Exception of politics we love each other.

[@alperenbaser7952]

@@Geodiode By the way yogurt actually brought buy central asian tribes . It s known as Greek yogurt because of hatred towards Turks in the west at that time and love towards ancient greece . I m not angry about it but it s fact.

[@Geodiode]

@@alperenbaser7952 my understanding was that yogurt was "discovered" in the Levant thousands of years BC. But because this discovery predates written history, we'll probably never know. However, if you have any academic papers that shed more light on this, I'll be interested to look at the sources.

[@alperenbaser7952]

@@SpartanLeonidas1821 bro i respect you but origins of yogurt is central asian steppes. They use ant eggs for making first yogurt in history . It might have gone to ancient greece too but that doesnt mean it s greek .

[@BA-sw2yf]

Good work. A good general overview of the country. The stripes on the flag represent, in syllables, "freedom or death" in Greek.

[@Geodiode]

Thanks!

[@Buttercup697]

Ελευθερία ή θάνατος! 😉💙

[@utubemally]

i wanna visit Greece now

[@Geodiode]

You'll love it. It will not disappoint! It was my first trip abroad as an adult many years ago and nothing has beaten it since! Macedonia to the Peloponnese!

[@srfrg9707]

If you can don't stay only on the seaside. Visit the the Meteors, Metsovouni and the gorges of Vikos. Geodiode used some pictures of those wonders in his video. You won't regret.

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

Samothraki is the best island if you're into free-camping lifestyle. The most friendly, helpful people I've ever met.

[@americoferrer6514]

My favorite county.

[@konstantinosantonopoulos4966]

very nice and informative. Please note that that the stripes of the Greek flag represent the breaking waves of the sea, a very important element for Greeks in their whole history

[@Geodiode]

Thank you!

[@neildonaldson3408]

Brilliant, loved this presentation.

[@Geodiode]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@lewsdiod]

Awesome work as always. Love the comprehensive coverage of geography, economy and culture! Looking forward to the next one! Best Joakim of Stockholm

[@Geodiode]

Tak!

[@samlucas1621]

This ancient melody is used in the movie 1951 movie ‘Quo Vadis’, where Emperor Nero sings this tune.

[@Geodiode]

Ooh - I'll have to re-watch it now! It was already on my list to go back and watch.

[@innosanto]

The stripes in Gteek flag have special meaning.

[@sallycoop935]

The nine horizontal stripes of the flag stand for the nine syllables of the motto (in greek) “e le fte ri a i tha na tos”. It means Freedom or death. That’s a motto from the 1821 revolution against the ottomans.

[@MSPANAKIS]

Congratulations on your amazing historical work and these two gem introductions to Greece for the general public. Of course, not everything can be said in such short introductory videos and prioritization is inevitably subjective. For those who read our comments, however, I would mention Dimitri Mitropoulos, one of the most prominent conductors of the 20th century. I would also draw attention to the Byzantine and Rebetiko musical styles, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage; and to the highly influential Byzantine art in general (painting and architecture). A modern tradition, the unique 'artistic popular' music married to poetry was pioneered by poets such as the Nobel laureates Odysseus Elytis and Giorgos Seferis, and composers such as Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hadjidakis, to mention only the most widely known. Specimens of modern Greek culture and vanguard productions in any artistic domain are presented in numerous festivals occurring practically everywhere in Greece during the summer and in big cities throughout the year.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you very much Manolis. I am sure I missed out many beloved Greeks in the arts that are well known within Greece, like the one you mentioned. For my country peoples' lists I try to focus on the names that have become internationally celebrated.

[@user-zo5ju8sy6l]

12:41 The stripes actually do have meaning attached to them. There are 9 stripes in the greek flag, one for each letter in the word "Eleftheria" (In Greek: "Ελευθερία"), which is Greek for "Freedom". This is because throughout history the Greek nation had to fight for their freedom on multiple occasions, especially during the 400 years of Ottoman occupation.

[@Hi.Im.Random-cv7rj]

I love this video! Greece is my dream country to visit, the culture, archaeological sites, history, everything! I'm learning Greek too! Btw are you sure that it was 1832 where Greece gained its independance, I thought it was 25th March 1821 hence the Greeks celebrate it every year.

[@Geodiode]

Glad you enjoyed it! 1832 was when it was officially recognised and done, but 1821 was when the crusade for independence began.

[@christianchauhan23]

I just 🤍💙 #GREECE & 💛 all your videos mate👍

[@ACHistory]

Amazing work done on Greece! I remember that your older videos inspired me to make a history video on Greece too on my channel (of course with far less detail :P).. keep up the fantastic projects!

[@Geodiode]

Thanks Andrew! Glad I inspired you!

[@lydia4516]

Visited Kavala, Thessaloniki and the ancient town of Philippi which got its name after ruler Philip - the father of Alexander the Great.

[@Geodiode]

Nice! I visited Thessaloniki 30 years ago and saw the casket that contain Phillip's bones (excavated from Vergina). I hope you get chance to watch the history part of this presentation...

[@lydia4516]

@@SpartanLeonidas1821 I visited a monestary of Saint Lydia. Such a beautiful place. That was the main reason I decided to visit Greece. I hope that I will discover more nice, worth visiting places. ❤️

[@lydia4516]

@@SpartanLeonidas1821 and also somewhere in ruins of Phillipi I found a place which is supposed to be a jail where Apostle Paul was imprisoned.

[@wadejameskennedy4495]

Thank you. Wonderful.

[@Geodiode]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@papertoyss]

Vangelis' full name is "Evangelos Odysseas", literally meaning "Odysseas who brings good news". Vangelis composed my all time favorite score, unsurpassed to this day, the score for Blade Runner. Thank you for this video!

[@Geodiode]

Yes indeed, regarding his name. It was Bladerunner also that first alerted me to his great talents. I was only 12 when that movie came out.

[@papertoyss]

@@Geodiode And I guess he lived according to his name too, which, if you ponder on it, it's a very ancient Greek thing. Take for example Leonidas the King of Sparta: his name literally means son or descendant of a lion (leon in Greek), and he proved himself equal not just to the occasion, but to also his name (a lion indeed muchmore considering that at Thermopylae he was at the age of 60). Aristotle (Aristotelis in Greek) literally means the one who reaches/finishes his goals perfectly, which he absolutely did the best possible way. Alexander (Alexandros) literally means to repulse men (enemies) or to protect men, who with his abilities he was a shield to his men doing both repulse and protect, but also in a way considering the Hellenistic period he caused, he became somehow the guardian of the cultural progress for man generally.

[@BorisMinkov]

Yogurt is actually a Bulgarian invention but is also well know in Greece. The bacteria that yogurt is made of is called "Bacillus bulgaricus" for a reason. But I guess food traditions are sometimes overlapping in countries that share common borders.

[@prescriptionshoes2899]

I was an intelligence officer for ten years and this is one of the best country briefs I’ve ever seen. Outstanding work. 🫡

[@Geodiode]

Wow - high praise. Thank you! I would love to know which service you worked in, but you'd then have to kill me after telling me ;)

[@cdavo]

Top level interesting.

[@paolosantiago3163]

I'm from the Philippines but I really love Greece as a whole country. ❤😊

[@deanlemckeevans]

Great video I think I missed part 1 but will definitely check it out Greece is top on my list of countries to visit. I didn't know that song was from ancient Greece I am also a big fan of the civilization game. I even have a youtube channel covering the ins and outs of it but I have become busy with work and there has been less content coming out for me to cover for the game.

[@Geodiode]

Great to hear from you Dean! I wonder if this video was suggested to you through your civilization work? Or were you a subscriber beforehand? I also didn't know that theme was from 2000 years ago! And I heard it so many times while playing the game. Greece is a superb country for the visitor... Great food, friendly people, cheap for Europe, and the sites and beaches and fascinating geography in general!

[@deanlemckeevans]

@@Geodiode I have been a subscriber since the early climate videos, I think I commented on how “zen” they were haha. Keep up the great work

[@aspasiagravanis1724]

Thank you 🙏 and God Bless was awesome 👏.

[@Geodiode]

Thanks!

[@thespartan8476]

Vangelis the composer 🐬🐟🐬🐟

[@Geodiode]

Yes, many magical hours of music he made.

[@Pan472]

Came here from Part 1, thank you for showcasing the country as it is! A very minor correction: the output of tourism in the Greek GDP is less than 10% in nominal, and less than 6% in purchasing parity terms. The 9 stripes on the flag are the 9 syllables of the phrase "Freedom or Death" in Greek (Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος).

[@Geodiode]

Glad you enjoyed this 2 part presentation!

[@timfoil]

Yes I love Seikilos Epitaph!

[@Geodiode]

It's incredible to think we're listening some 2000 years after that tune popped into an ancient Greek's head

[@srfrg9707]

@@Geodiode 2000 years is yesterday for us Greeks.

[@dnkal2875]

The modern Greek flag in essence is much much older as they existed some very similar once during the revolution. When the Greek revolution started, it happen in many pockets of Greece because of this every place that revolt had its own flag with many common symbols with most important the cross. Also many fighters and chiefs had also there own flag. The personal flag that was flying by kanaris( Κωσταντίνος Καναρης) in 1821 was very similar with the modern one but with five strips and the one that was flying by Miaulis ( Ανδρέας Μιαουλης) was with 8 (or 9) strip but the colors reverse ( blue cross with first white stripe) but both of them are based of the flag of Kallergi ( Καλλεργη) brothers of Crete which it was used much earlier in there fight against Venice and it was base of there family crest which was 9 parallel blue and white stripes with a the first blue and a cross in the corner which is pretty much the modern Greek flag but with the motto Εν τούτο νικα ( which is what Constantine the great had on his flag) But, as many of these Greek revolution flags are very obscured and many used these flags aren't well known to many.

[@alexdemetriades401]

The stripes on the greek flag stand for a famous battle cry in the war of independance.

[@takis610]

Very nice and well researched video. About the modern flag of Greece. As a Greek/Hellin (or Éllin) the stripes we were taught at school that blue is for the see and white for the snow of the mountaintops. And their number is for the syllables of the frace eleftheria í thanatos (freedom or death) that comes from the greek revolution

[@Geodiode]

Thank you - glad you liked the vid!

[@ZRHTrainspotter]

Amazing video! I love greece :) can you do a video on uzbekistan or turkmenistan please?

[@Geodiode]

Thanks v much! I think uzb/turk will be a long way off in terms of future videos as there is not much interest in them, and my time is limited unfortunately. Although investor Jim Rogers seems to disagree (he's looking at Uzbekistan these days)

[@ZRHTrainspotter]

@@Geodiode Oh, so which countries are next for a video? :)

[@Geodiode]

@@ZRHTrainspotter since you're an old-timer, I'll tell you... :) Scotland next then 90% likely a 3-part special on Korea (all parts thereof)

[@ZRHTrainspotter]

@@Geodiode oh okay, thanks for the information 😊

[@ZoePoly]

Great presentation. One remark regarding the Greek flag: the stripes are nine, one for each letter of the word ελευθερία = freedom.

[@Geodiode]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it

[@helenahimlamaya6484]

fantastic

[@Geodiode]

Thank you so much 😀

[@elenivargis126]

Beautifyouul! thank

[@Geodiode]

You're welcome!

[@takisharalabidis611]

I found both parts most informative and thorough! I would like to thank all the people who contributed for this piece of work! Just a small contribution regarding the Greek flag. The cross on the upper left corner, does indeed refers to the Greek Christian Orthodoxy, which as quite correctly mentioned, prevails in Greece. Regarding the stripes though, although it is noted that they may refer to the Greek revolution moto, "Elefteria i Thanatos", i.e. "Freedom or Death", another alternative passed on to me when I was a child is that they symbolise the Greek seas and sky. In fact I was told that each blue stripe symbolise a Greek sea (Pelagos), for example, Aigaio Pelagos, Ionion Pelagos, Ikarion Pelagos, Kritiko Pelagos, Thrasian Pelagos. Some other commentator might correct me if this is entirely wrong. However, I have never heard that the Greek flag has anything to do with the flag of the United States. By the way, there used to be two Greek flags! One was the "land flag", which was a white cross with four blue corners (same as the national coat of arms, but different proportions) and the other was the "sea flag", which is the one that is now formally the Greek flag.

[@Geodiode]

Thanks so much! In doing my research I found it frustrating that there was no confirmation of the meanings that you described *at the time the flag was created*. It is possible that the meanings were added later.

[@theonizacharia854]

Hello! I would just like to note that the number of the stripes of the greek (Hellenic) flag does have a meaning: each one represents a syllable of the known expression during the 1821 war of independence: "Ε-λευ-θε-ρί-α-ή-θά-να-τος", that is, freedom or death. You have done a very nice work, attempting to fit the history in two videos!

[@Geodiode]

Thanks very much. I need to leave a sticky comment about the flag as i get tired of answering why i did not include that meaning ...

[@EftixiaMpraimiotou]

Bravo!!! Thank you very match for this wonderful work. Love from Athens-Greece.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you! I hope you got to enjoy Part 1 on the long and great history of your country too!

[@theremoteseller]

Loved it!! Good job

[@Geodiode]

Thank you!!

[@georgios_5342]

5:15 also, the Ionian islands have a much higher development, population density and economic significance than their size would suggest, probably as a result of avoiding the wars and slaughters of the rest of Greece during Ottoman times

[@Geodiode]

Interesting. I haven't travelled to this part of Greece to witness this.

[@nilanjanachatterjee9023]

All your videos are excellent 😊

[@Geodiode]

Thanks v much!

[@panosx2549]

One of the Best videos that I have ever seen on Greece (Both Part I and Part II). Thank you for Your Excellent Work and Effort.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you so much!

[@asmelashtesfay5931]

Thank you for your information

[@Geodiode]

You're welcome!

[@samuelloso7022]

I love the use of Civ 6 music in the beginning.

[@samuelloso7022]

LOL! I had no idea this was a classic melody that Civ used!!!

[@Geodiode]

I didn't know either until I did the research for this video! And it was probably my most favourite variation in all of Civ 6.

[@TheseusTitan]

North Macedonia is not the area where Alexander the Great originated from. North Macedonia is too far north and the people are Slavic, not Greek. That was why Greece protested. These other people were trying to assume Greece’s heritage.

[@stelios5314]

In any case, the video doesnt claim that "North Macedonia's" citizens are decendants of the ancient Macedonia. It just mentions the tendency about the name. In a previous video of this channel, he did included Macedonia as a part of Greek history. He doeesnt deny that. But yes, its important to note that they dont only want the name of Macedonia, but they also want to claim its heritage and this is at least illogical...

[@TheseusTitan]

@@stelios5314 I never wrote that the video claimed the people of North Macedonia were descendants of Ancient Macedonia. I’m well versed in what happened so I’m adding additional information. You are correct, North Macedonia did try to claim the heritage. Greece protested that as well.

[@rgg.x1]

And those slavs came 900 years after Alexander died

[@ALBAminute]

Well said!

[@TheseusTitan]

@@ALBAminute Thank you!

[@ronnyabraham5493]

Greece es un lugar cual no puedo ser describir en normalo palabras . Él es uno del mejor countries en la mundo . Entonces todos yo desear a dicho eso , por favor ir a este hermosa country . Todos la amore de India .😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@steliossdrolias2650]

1 πολεμικό παροπλισμένο σε κάθε Ωραία αμμουδιά+++

[@nicholasmichalakopoulos94]

Thank you

[@NikolasSerpanos]

🇬🇷🇨🇾♾

[@giuseppelogiurato5718]

After the first episode ("8 ages of Greek stuff"), I can't help but read "Geodiode" as "Γεοδιόδης" (which is not a real word, as far as I know), but I'm guessing it's meant to be read as; "Jee-oh Dye-ode"; like one of those rocks with all the sparkly crystals inside, but with electrical components hooked up to it?

[@Geodiode]

You have been thinking! And since you made the effort, I'll grace you with a bit of backstory to the name. I needed something completely unique on the internet, firstly. And I wanted something that began with "geo" because it would be about geography and the earth (greek "geo-"). I settled on "diode" as the suffix, because it was going to be electronically created and disseminated, and also because the name sounded, as you spotted correctly, like "geode". It's not a perfect name, but once I'd committed to the first video, it had to stick. Anyway, I hope you found that useful! :)

[@argirypanagopoulos8928]

Fantastic videos! Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in the world! Glad you appreciate it.

[@Geodiode]

Thank you, and yes, I agree!

[@sgourkon8742]

Thank you for your work 🇬🇷

[@Geodiode]

My pleasure!

[@C_B_Hubbs]

Great videos (I watched both parts), but there are two things I wish were mentioned: 1. In the part about religion, Orthodox Christianity is of course the most prevalent, along with some other Christianity, Islam, and Judaism mixed in, but there has been a revival of the ancient polytheistic religion in Greece, Neo-Hellenism (sometimes informally called Greek Neo-Paganism), which practices the classical rituals and observes the Greek pantheon of deities. 2. In the part about modern Greek musicians, Yanni or Γιάννης is a famous composer and pianist, which I learned of from my mom who is a fan of his music. I'm not of any Greek genetic descent as far as I know, but I am very interested in this history which deserves respect from people around the world and I wish to learn the Greek language someday.

[@sallycoop935]

Nice. Good luck! But you know already many greek words because 8-9% of english are greek words.

[@joaoleiteneto668]

If paradise exists, is not far from Greece.

[@xarazournatzi9479]

Η Ελλαδα ειναι παραδεισος

[@Haksrax]

Another popular musician who follows more traditional greek music would be Mikis Theodorakis. Many would know him from making the Greek 'Zorbas'.

[@gnas1897]

But Mikis' genre isn't traditional Greek music. It's entechno.

[@Haksrax]

@@gnas1897 Its still original greek genre , it hasnt been used by other person. It counts as greek

[@gnas1897]

@@Haksrax sure but it's not what one would call "traditional music". It's a very modern concept and doesn't really have a folk element.

[@Haksrax]

@@gnas1897 it literraly has a folk element. Its literally a combination of folk and orchestra

[@salvab13]

saving this one in my favorites amazing work

[@Geodiode]

Thanks!

[@sallycoop935]

I recommend “Somewhere in Time” by Iron Maiden and “Titans” by Vangelis