Some modern Greeks believe the Ancient Macedonian were Greek
23.08.2006
In his book "Little Book of BIG Greek Lies" Risto Stefov writes:
"Some modern Greeks believe the Ancient Macedonian were Greek.
What evidence has Greece used to show that the ancient Macedonians were "Greek" and what evidence has it ignored that shows the opposite?
Here are some of the arguments they use to prove their point:
1. The Ancient Macedonians spoke a dialect of the Greek language.
From the various inscriptions found in archeological digs it has been established that one of the languages employed in ancient Macedonia was the Koine language commonly known as the language of trade and commerce. This was an international language which was used in the Macedonian court and by the Macedonian administration.
The Greek argument here is that "if Macedonians spoke Greek they must have been Greek". It is the same as saying "if the Macedonians speak English they must be English".
2. The ancient Macedonians prayed to the same "Greek gods" as the ancient "Greeks".
Again, according to inscriptions found in archeological digs the ancient Macedonians did share beliefs in some gods with the other people in the region including those living in the ancient city states. Sharing a common religion and believing in the same deity unfortunately is not a valid indicator of sharing a common ethnicity. Two people can speak the same language, share a religion and believe in the same God without being of the same ethnic origin. Take Christianity for example. Today we have hundreds of ethnicities living in Toronto, Canada who speak English, are Christians and believe in Jesus Christ. It would not only be wrong but outright ridiculous to even think that all these people have a common ethnicity or somehow are ethnically connected because they share a religion.
The so called "Greek gods" lived on Olympus (which by the way is in Macedonia) and were worshipped by many people. They were regional gods who belonged to the entire Balkans; not just to the "Greeks". It is 19th century politics and Greek propaganda which turned the mythical gods of the Balkans into "Greek gods".
3. The ancient Macedonians united the ancient "Greek" city states and spread the "Hellenic" language and culture to the known world.
According to historic accounts:
"On August 2nd, 338 BC, in the shallow Cephisus River valley near the village of Chaeronea on the road to Thebes, the two opposing armies met face to face. On the north side stood Philip's Macedonians with 30,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry, the largest Macedonian army ever assembled. Among Philip's commanding generals was his 18 year-old son, Alexander, in charge of the cavalry. On the south side, stood the allied Athenians, Thebans and Achaeans who assembled 35,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry, the largest army ever assembled since the Persian invasion.
Closely matched, the armies clashed and while the battle ensued the Macedonian right flank fell back and began to retreat. Seeing the Macedonians weakening, the "Greek" allied general gave orders to push on and drive the Macedonians back to Macedonia. As the Macedonians retreated, the allied flanks broke rank and began the pursuit. Not realizing it was a trick, the allies found themselves surrounded and slaughtered by Alexander's cavalry. When it was over, the majority of the allied army, including the elite Theban Sacred Band lay dead in the fields of Chaeronea." "
Macedonia (9) -- Analyses-- July-September 2006
The truth
23.08.2006
Yes, of course the ancient Macedonians were not Greeks. They were a group of Tracian tribes, they spoke Tracian language
but used the Greek for administrative purposes because the Tracians did not have their own alphabet. They prayed
Tracian gots some of which were honoured also by the ancient Greeks as well as some Greek gots honoured also by the Tracians.
The Macedonians had enemies and allies among the Greek city states as well as among other Tracian tribes - something usual
in political life.
Bulgarian