Greece (Grece)

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2026-02-10 Diary Coverage: Cultural and political references

Overview

Greece appears in Marie Bashkirtseff's diary through cultural references to classical antiquity, political discussions about the Eastern Question, and the broader classical education that formed the foundation of 19th-century European culture. Modern Greece, independent from the Ottoman Empire since 1830, was in Marie's time a small, relatively poor kingdom whose significance was magnified by the immense prestige of ancient Greek civilization.

Historical Context (1870s-1880s)

• Kingdom of Greece: Independent since 1830, under King George I (from 1863)
• Athens: The capital, with the Acropolis and Parthenon as powerful symbols
• Irredentism: Greece aspired to unite all Greek-speaking territories (the "Megali Idea")
• Classical heritage: Ancient Greece's art, philosophy, and literature remained the bedrock of European education
• The Eastern Question: Greece's fate was intertwined with Ottoman decline

Significance for Marie

• Classical education: Greek art, mythology, and literature were fundamental cultural references
• Artistic heritage: Greek sculpture represented an ideal of beauty Marie studied
• Political topic: Greece's struggles appeared in European diplomatic discussions
• Travel destination: The ruins of Athens attracted cultured travelers

Related Entries

• #Rome - The other great classical civilization
• #Turkey - The Ottoman Empire from which Greece gained independence