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Ancient Greek Theatre is still very much alive!

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Ancient Greek Theatre is still very much alive!

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Resources for Primary and Secondary Students - ABC Education

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4000+ educational games, videos and teaching resources for schools and students. Free Primary and Secondary resources covering history, science, English, maths and more

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Athenians build temples on the Acropolis

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Athenians build temples on the Acropolis

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Resources for Primary and Secondary Students - ABC Education

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4000+ educational games, videos and teaching resources for schools and students. Free Primary and Secondary resources covering history, science, English, maths and more

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The Art of Ancient Greek Theater (Getty Villa Exhibitions)

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An exhibition at the Getty Villa exploring depictions of ancient Greek theater.

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The Parthenon the masterpiece of Ancient Greece.

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The Parthenon the masterpiece of Ancient Greece.

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Resources for Primary and Secondary Students - ABC Education

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4000+ educational games, videos and teaching resources for schools and students. Free Primary and Secondary resources covering history, science, English, maths and more

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From one of the most ancient civilisations on earth comes simply prepared food that uses the best of what's in season and adds a little magic in the form of clever flavourings to help it sing off the plate. Greece's culinary tradition dates back hundreds of years and has evolved over time to absorb many diverse influences. Many well-known Greek dishes are in fact part of the larger tradition of the food of the Ottoman Empire, with classic dishes such as moussaka, börek and tzatziki having Arabic, Persian and Turkish roots.

From some of the best lamb dishes on earth to fresh seafood, vegetables, beans, pulses and, of course, good olive oil, Greek food is simple, colourful and incredibly nutritious. Like other Mediterranean cuisines, Greek food has a reputation for being heart healthy with its heavy use of olive oil, fish, lean meats, vegetables, herbs and grain, although some dishes can be quite rich, like the classic moussaka - a hearty dish made of layers of lamb and eggplant, smothered in béchamel sauce and cheese.

Mezes (or mezze) refers to small dishes, which frequently help make up a main meal, served with salads, dips and pita bread. Besides the ever-present olive oil, other widely used ingredients and flavorings include eggplant, tomatoes, potato, okra, lemon, cheese, herbs and honey. Greece's climate favors the breeding of sheep, making beef dishes less common in traditional fare. Many dishes are wrapped in filo pastry - including Greek classics such as spanakopita (spinach and feta) and the honey-drenched, nut filled dessert baklava. As for beverages, strong Greek coffee, retsina (white wine with pine resin added) and the 80-percent-proof anise flavoured ouzo are all ever popular.

When Greeks taste something delicious, they have a lovely phrase "Yia Sta Heria Stas" which translates as "I kiss your hands", celebrating the skill of the cook.
View our Greek recipe collection here.

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In Greek culture, food is so much more than sustenance - it's about culture, comfort, family and life itself. "If you grow up in Greece, you grow up with your mother chasing you around the house with a spoon," jokes Greek-Australian chef Peter Conistis.

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What did the ancient Greeks eat? I'm asked this question a lot, and I always seem to learn something new when I answer it.

I love doing research about ancient people and their foods. It's cool to think that Plato or Aristotle might also have enjoyed what I may be eating now. Some foods, like pasteli, have undoubtedly been around a long time, but we may never know for sure about others unless they happen to require ingredients we know the ancient Greeks just didn't have access to.

Imagine going your whole life without ever eating a tomato.

So what foods were available to the ancient Greeks? How and what did they eat? They ate like us. They had three meals a day. They woke and ate breakfast, they broke from work at midday for lunch, then they ended the day with dinner and perhaps a little dessert.

Breakfasts of the Ancient Greeks

Most ancient Greeks had the same thing for breakfast: bread dipped in wine. The bread was made from barley, the main source of all breads in ancient times. It was probably hard, so the wine would soften it up and make it easier to eat. Sure, they could have used water, but where's the fun in that?

The Greeks also ate something called a teganites (τηγανίτης), which would have resembled a pancake. These were made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey and curdled milk. They were usually topped with honey or cheese.

Lunchtime for the Greeks

They had more of that bread and wine!

What a surprise! But they were drinking a bit more of the wine. Lunch was considered a midday snack, so it was common for the Greeks to dine on relatively light things like figs, salted fish, cheeses, olives and more bread.

Time for Dinner

Dinner was and still is the most important meal of the day in Greece.

In ancient times, it was when everyone would gather with friends and perhaps discuss things like philosophy or maybe just daily events. Note that I said "friends," not "family." Men and women normally ate separately. If a family had slaves, they would serve the men dinner first, then the women, then themselves. If the family didn't have slaves, the women of the house served the men first, then they ate themselves when the men were done.

Dinner was when most of the foods were consumed. The ancient Greeks would eat eggs from quail and hens, fish, legumes, olives, cheeses, breads, figs and any vegetables they could grow. They might include arugula, asparagus, cabbage, carrots and cucumbers. Meat was reserved for the wealthy.

About That Wine

Wine was the main drink of the ancient Greeks, other than water. Fetching the water was a daily task for the women of the house.

The Greeks drank wine at all meals and during the day. We know they made red, white, rose and port wines, the main areas of production being Thasos, Lesbos and Chios. But the ancient Greeks didn't drink their wine straight. It was considered barbaric to do so. All wine was cut with water. The Greeks drank for the pleasure of the beverage, not with the intention of getting drunk.

They also drank kykeon (κυκεών), a combination of barley gruel, water (or wine), herbs and goat cheese in an almost shake-like consistency.

Top It All Off With Dessert

Raw sugar was unknown to the ancient Greeks, so honey was the main sweetener. Cheeses, figs or olives drizzled with honey provided a typical ending to an evening meal.

The Spartans

A lot of people wonder what the Spartans ate. Frankly, their diet was terrible. The Spartans were trained warriors, but their food left a lot to be desired. They ate something called melas zomos (μέλας ζωμός) - black soup in English. It was made by boiling some pigs' legs, blood, salt and vinegar. Yum.

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Eat Like an Ancient Greek -- Learn About Their Meals

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What did the ancient Greeks eat? I'm asked this question a lot, and I always seem to learn something new when I answer it. I love doing research about ancient people and their foods. It's cool to think that Plato or Aristotle might also have enjoyed what I may be eating now.

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When talking about how an ancient people cooked its foods, it's important to know what ingredients were available to them.

Ancient Greek Pantry Staples

While the foods of ancient Greece were similar to those we eat today, they didn't include many that are standard Greek ingredients today, like tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and bananas (which arrived from the Americas in the 15th century). The basic foods were cereals, legumes, fruit, fish, game, oil, and wine.

Lemons, oranges, eggplant, and rice came later.

Cooking Methods

The most common cooking methods used by Ancient Greeks were roasting on a spit, boiling, frying, simmering, stewing (over wood-burning fires), grilling, and baking (in wood-burning ovens).

The earliest cooking pots were made of clay, and similar pots (glazed and fired) are still used today in many areas.

Food Preservation

Out of necessity because refrigeration was nonexistent, in addition to cooking, ancient Greeks also preserved foods by smoking, drying, salting, and storing in syrups and fat. Foods were often stored with a topping of oil to keep air out.

Who Did the Cooking?

As it seems to be the case in modern times, the men were typically in charge of roasting the meats on spits or over coals, while the women were in charge of boiling foods and baking them in the oven.

When it came time to enjoy the meal, aristocratic people sat or lounged on couches set before low tables laden with food and ate in a communal style.

For the common man and aristocrat alike, utensils were not used. Everything was eaten with the hands. Bread had many purposes at the dinner table-it was used to scoop out thick soups, as a napkin to clean hands, and, when thrown to the floor, used to feed the slaves or dogs.

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What Cooking Methods Were Used in Ancient Greece?

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When talking about how an ancient people cooked its foods, it's important to know what ingredients were available to them. While the foods of ancient Greece were similar to those we eat today, they didn't include many that are standard Greek ingredients today, like tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and bananas (which arrived from the Americas in the 15th century).

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An Introduction to Greek food and Greek Cooking

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An Introduction to Greek food and Greek Cooking

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Greek cooking offers an incredibly rich and diverse array of foods and beverages that are the culmination of literally thousands of years of living, cooking, and eating. While each Greek meal is fresh and inviting, it is also a trip back through Greece's history.

Ingredients

The names of foods, cooking methods, and basic ingredients have changed little over time. Bread, olives (and olive oil), and wine constituted the triptych of the Greek diet for many centuries, just as they do today.

Greece is a nation of small farmers who produce an incredible array of mainly organically produced cheeses, oils, fruits, nuts, grains, legumes, and vegetables, supplemented by an array of greens and herbs that grow in the wild. These are the foods that form the base of the traditional Greek regimen, to which they add both variety and nutrition. Greece's climate is perfect growing for olive and lemon trees, producing two of the most important elements of Greek cooking. Spices, garlic and other herbs such as oregano, basil, mint, and thyme are widely used, as are vegetables such as eggplant and zucchini, and legumes of all types.

With 20 percent of Greece made up of islands - and no part of the Greek mainland more than 90 miles from the sea - fish and seafood are a popular and common part of the Greek diet. Lamb and goat (kid) are the traditional meats of holidays and festivals, and poultry, beef, and pork are also in plentiful supply.

Vineyards cover much of Greece's hilly terrain and the country has become known for its array of fine wines and spirits, most notably ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur that is the national spirit.

A History of Culinary Influences

While Greek cooking has influenced and been influenced by other cultures, as have the cuisines of most countries, of all of those countries, Greece must be foremost in the ranks of having a "fusion" cuisine which is easily traced back to 350 B.C.

In 350 B.C., when Alexander the Great extended the Greek Empire's reach from Europe to India, certain northern and eastern influences were absorbed into the Greek cuisine.

In 146 B.C., Greece fell to the Romans which resulted in a blending of a Roman influence into Greek cooking.

In 330 A.D., Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople, founding the Byzantine Empire which, in turn, fell to the Turks in 1453 and remained part of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. During that time, dishes had to be known by Turkish names, names that remain today for many Greek classics.

With each successive invasion and settlement came culinary influences - from the Romans, Venetians, Balkans, Turks, Slavs, and even the English - and many Greek foods have names with origins in those cultures, most notably the Ottoman Empire.

Dishes with names like tzatziki (from the Turkish "cacik"), hummus (the Arabic word for chickpea) and dolmades (from the Turkish "dolma"), that can be found in kitchens from Armenia to Egypt, have also found a home in Greek cooking, and been adapted over hundreds of years to local tastes and traditions.

And during those times, the classic elements of Greek cuisine traveled across borders as well, adopted and adapted in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and ...

with Alexander the Great, farther east.
Note about hummus: Hummus is a Middle Eastern dish with an association to Greek food only because it appears on the menu in many Greek restaurants around the world... brought there by restaurateurs catering to local tastes.
Fun Facts

The first cookbook was written by the Greek food gourmet, Archestratos, in 330 B.C., which suggests that cooking has always been of importance and significance in Greek society.

Modern chefs owe the tradition of their tall, white chef's hat to the Greeks. In the middle ages, monastic brothers who prepared food in the Greek Orthodox monasteries wore tall white hats to distinguish them in their work from the regular monks, who wore large black hats.

To a large degree, vegetarian cuisine can be traced to foods and recipes which originated in Greece.

Many ingredients used in modern Greek cooking were unknown in the country until the middle ages. These include the potato, tomato, spinach, bananas, and others which came to Greece after the discovery of the Americas - their origin.

Greek food is simple and elegant, with flavors subtle to robust, textures smooth to crunchy, fresh and timeless, nutritious and healthy. Preparing and enjoying Greek food, anywhere in the world, is an adventurous journey into the cradle of civilization and the land of the Gods of Olympus. Discovering, tasting, experiencing Greek food: truly one of the joys we can all share.

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What To Know About Greek Cooking - Ingredients, History, and More

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Greek cooking offers an incredibly rich and diverse array of foods and beverages that are the culmination of literally thousands of years of living, cooking, and eating. While each Greek meal is fresh and inviting, it is also a trip back through Greece's history.

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A Full List of the Various Foods Enjoyed by Ancient Greeks

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Ancient Greek foods were similar to the foods we know today, except that the variety was limited. Learn about ancient Greek foods.

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Food in Greece - Greek Food, Greek Cuisine - traditional, popular, dishes, recipe, diet, history, common, rice, famous

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We will find some dishes, such as the stuffed grape leaves, have been prepared for thousands of years. Yogurt and many pastries date from Persian times. The Turks are responsible for introducing coffee and the base of wheat, wine and olive oil is characteristic from its Mediterranean roots and shared with other countries.

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Greek holidays and festivals | World Food and Wine

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Christmas was always a religious holiday and Christmas trees, candles and presents were not a sign of Christmas in Greece. However, Christmas celebrations have become alike those in the Western world and now all those turn out in any Greek house at Christmas time. When there is a celebration, there is festive food.

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5 Distinguishing Characteristics of Greek Cuisine

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5 Distinguishing Characteristics of Greek Cuisine

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Greek Cuisine is certainly one of the most wanted flavors in the entire world. Mediterranean in foundation, the dishes from Greece, Cyprus and the Islands have truly attracted a lot of foreign visitors and tourists to try it out for themselves, usually leading to much fulfillment in the taste buds and the tummy. Once you've tried a few of the tasty dishes, you will surely have to read up a cookbook and discover how you can make them yourself upon returning to your country. There are a lot of recipes to be found, although one has to wonder, "What is it about Greek food that makes it so exceptional?" There are some specified qualities which you will need to look into if you really want to determine what makes individuals go crazy for Greek dishes.

1. The basic ingredients in Greek dishes are usually nourishing. you'll find a lot of vegetables added to the mix, with fish, legumes and cereals being some of the other main ingredients in traditional recipes.

2. Their food has a whole lot more flavor to it, simply all because the locals use a lot of herbs and spices, including dill, garlic, oregano, onion, bay laurel leaves and mint. a few other choices consist of thyme, basil and persillade, which is also used for garnish on other dishes.

3. The recipes are actually quite easy to make. In truth, many individuals who are in search of a well balanced diet often turn to Mediterranean cuisine, simply all because it is beneficial and delicious at the same time.

4. You won't be seeing any beef added to the dishes. The truth is, lamb is the staple meat for most Greek dishes. This is due to the fact that the terrain and the climate have made the breeding of sheep and goat more copious than cattle.

5. Greek dishes generally come with a few mezedes, which is translated as appetizers. Each region has their specialty, which makes it a rather diverse bunch that you won't easily grow weary of. A lot of these appetizers, known as "tapas" in Spain or "antipasto" in Italy, are packed with so much flavor, and are the perfect balance of tradition, health and scrumptiousness.

These are five characteristics of Greek cuisine which sets them worlds apart from anything you've ever tried. Thus, if you're aiming to make a journey to Greece, you will surely be in for a pretty mouthful of savory goodness.

B H Yao invites new and seasoned travelers from the online community to read original articles on travel tips, vacations for couples and families, world travel at World Travel Guide. Come on by for more great updates on World Travel Tips

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5 Distinguishing Characteristics of Greek Cuisine

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Greek Cuisine is certainly one of the most wanted flavors in the entire world. Mediterranean in foundation, the dishes from Greece, Cyprus and the Islands have truly attracted a lot of foreign visitors and tourists to try it out for themselves, usually leading to much fulfillment in the taste buds and the tummy.

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Food and Diet: Ancient Greece vs Modern Greece 

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Food and Diet: Ancient Greece vs Modern Greece 

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When you live in Greece you are reminded everyday of the history of this land. Not only by the ancient temples and ruins scattered all over the country, but by almost all aspects of the culture here; language, music, art and of course the food.

A few years ago, I was asked to give a presentation about the continuity of Greek cuisine from antiquity to the present. While doing research I came across four excellent books (they are cited at the end of this post) and I wanted to share some interesting facts (as far as we know) about the food and food culture of the ancient Greeks and the similarities with today's Greeks.

Of course we don't know to what extent the dietary habits of the ancient Greeks have affected today's dietary habits. The food culture of the ancient Greeks has influenced many cultures and we also know that the food in Greece today is the result of many influences from various cultures as well. But we do see many similarities when comparing the modern Greeks with the ancient Greeks.

Eating Together

We know that the ancient Greeks wanted to establish a civilized lifestyle that separated them from the barbarians and food played an instrumental role in this. The idea of eating together is not a new one; animals eat together and so did the so-called barbarians, but what made a meal "civilized" were specific rules (for example the proper way to serve wine) and conviviality (eating and drinking with good company).

For Greeks, food and eating was not only necessary to satisfy physical needs but it was also a social event. Plutarch, a Greek historian had said, "We do not sit at the table to eat... but to eat together".

Today, eating in modern Greece is indeed a very social event. It is the norm for people to relax and have great discussions and arguments ranging from politics to relationships while eating dinner or lunch. These meals can last for hours.

Growing up as a Greek-American in the U.S., I remember many times at restaurants, the contrast between my family talking loudly and generally taking forever to eat, while everybody else was quietly eating their food, paying the bill and leaving. Eating alone, even for the younger generations of Greeks is not common. You won't see people taking a lunch break at a park eating their meal alone. Instead Greeks will either order all together at the office, sometimes sharing food they have brought from home. Reservations for restaurants are not as common in Greece either, and if they are made, it is assumed that the table will be reserved for the whole evening as there is no way of knowing when the diners will leave.

The Three Fundamentals

The 3 fundamentals were the most important ingredients for the Ancient Greek: Bread, Wine and Olive Oil. This was part of the dietary model or what we can call food ideology. For the Greeks these foods represented frugality and the simple life along with honey and figs. It is thought that this represented loyalty to their country since these fundamental foods were produced in Greece and therefore it was not necessary to import rare luxury type foods, they were happy with their own. It also is thought that it had to do with areas that should be conquered; anywhere that olives and vines grew should be conquered and be Greek.

Wine
Then: For Greeks wine was especially important at the symposia, which was a meeting of men for drinking, music and intellectual discussion. Greeks gave it medicinal properties, and there were even descriptions of proper and improper drinking.

Now: It is thought that much of the modern wine production practices today, are influenced by the practices of the ancient Greeks. Wine is also a very important part of Greek culture today. Gone are the days when Greece was only known for its retsina (wine that has had resin added to it). Today Greece has a high quality wine production using Greek grapes varieties that appear to be similar to the variety of grapes used in ancient times, and that are grown only in Greece. People are starting to notice Greek wines; at this year's Decanter World Wine Awards for example, 72% of all Greek wines entered this year received an award.

Bread
Then: Bread of course was a necessity in the ancient Greek diet. Greeks had a large variety of breads or bread-like products and also made them for special occasions. At some point it appears that the Greeks had 50 to 70 different types of breads.

Now: Bread is an extremely important part of the Greek cuisine; it is what nurtures the people, most Greeks cannot even imagine a meal without bread even if it is a rice or pasta dish. It is common when you go to the taverns here to be served a whole loaf of bread for 4 people...and you are expected to eat it.

Olive Oil
Then: Olive oil was used in almost every single item that was on the table of the ancient Greek, and although there was other oil available in the Mediterranean, olive oil was the only one used for cooking.

Now: Olive oil is even more important today to the Greeks then it was in ancient Greece. Greeks are the highest consumers of olive oil in the world, with a consumption of 26 liters a year per person, which is about ½ a liter a week (2 cups). Oil is used for almost all cooking, and although there has been an effort to promote other types of vegetable oils, Greeks have not really been persuaded (rightfully so).

Olive oil also holds a special position in the Greek-Orthodox religion; it is used in many ceremonies, but also in the oil lamps in the churches and at homes.

Honey and Figs
Honey and figs were also part of the Greek food ideology. Both produced in the land. They were used in both sweet and savory dishes. Today honey plays an extremely important role in the Greek lifestyle. As expected, it is used in the diet as a main sweetener to be consumed with herbal teas, yogurt, fruit, walnuts and in many sweets. It is also considered to have medicinal qualities.

Meat was for savages

Then: Meat was generally associated with festivity, luxury and sacrifice and therefore it was not a main food source. But it also separated the "men" from the "barbarians". According to the Greeks, those who consumed meat and milk were nomad hunter-gatherers as opposed to civilized people who farmed the land and could transform nature (grapes=wine, wheat=bread, olives=olive oil).

Apart from barbarian connotations, it seems that meat was consumed mainly in relation to sacrifice. In the book Food, A Culinary History it says that cautious estimates show that Greeks consumed no more than 4 pounds of meat a year. Economics also played a role: the animals were more useful alive providing milk for cheese and wool.

Now: In Modern Greece the traditional Greek diet (circa 1960) had very little meat. This had to do with religious and economic reasons like their ancient ancestors. Greek Orthodox Greeks would fast 180-200 days a year. Finances also did not allow the average Greek to eat meat very often; as in ancient times, Greeks used their animals for milk, making cheese and yogurt rather than meat.

It also should be noted that sacrificing practices seem to have continued through the byzantine period where it was common to kill animals and roast them during religious seasons. We see a similar custom with modern Greeks and the tradition of roasting the lamb in public as a celebration for Easter.

In the past 50 years however things have changed dramatically. The socioeconomic status of Greeks has changed and as a result, more and more Greeks have moved to big cities, do not follow the religious fasts, and eat much more meat than they used to.

Photo: Olive Harvest on Attic black-figured neck-amphora

Elena Paravantes, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Writer and consultant specializing in the Mediterranean Diet and Cuisine. She has been active as a clinician, consultant and lecturer for 20 years, both in the U.S. and Greece. An expert on the Greek Mediterranean Diet, her interviews and articles have been published in many publications including CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Prevention, NPR, and Shape. Elena has collaborated with a number of organizations including Loyola University, Yale University, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, and the American College of Greece.

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Food and Diet: Ancient Greece vs. Modern Greece

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How much has Ancient Greece influenced the diet and eating habits of today?

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Restaurants in Greece come in many different sizes and varieties as well. There are the "touristy" restaurants that would normally serve what travelers most often desire, and there are restaurants that cater exclusively to tourists . If you visit Greece as part of a tour group, chances are that you will mostly frequent such establishments.

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Greek Food and Culture - A few Quirky Facts

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Greek Food and Culture - A few Quirky Facts

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Greek Restaurant in Sydney - Georges Mediterranean Bar & Grill

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A cuisine is a major part of Greek culture, and Greek food in Sydney and around the globe is intricately tied to family and community. In a country with a long history of tradition, it's not surprising that food is sometimes part and parcel of cultural practice - and that there are some traditions that make more sense than others! Here are a few titbits about Greek food and culture that you might like to know.
Café gossip
In Greece, traditional cafes, called kafenions, are a popular destination for groups of men - but not so much for women. Male friends and family members will drop in to eat, drink and share the news and local gossip. Women traditionally rarely visit these establishments. And if you see those same men counting prayer beads, they may not actually be praying. Beads such as these are often carried not for religious purposes, but to keep the hands busy and pass the time.
Eating with others
Greek food is meant to be shared. It's all about family and friends, whether it's prepared and eaten at home, or in a Greek restaurant. Travelling alone? Don't be too quick to judge the service. In some areas, it is still the case that locals will never eat at a restaurant alone, and it's such a scarcity that some waiters will never approach a lone diner. They will simply assume the rest of the party is on the way! And if you are invited to dinner by a Greek, don't offer to split the bill. Offering money when you're the guest may be seen as an insult.
Lasting flavours
Greeks know a good thing when they find it. Just like traditions, some foods date back to ancient times. Dolmades for instance are one tasty treat that have been eaten for hundreds of years. There's also a long tradition of incorporating food into festive and cultural occasions. While the Greek diet in general favours lighter flavours with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood, at ceremonial occasions such as Easter, Christmas, weddings and birthdays, family and friends will gather and devour freshly baked breads, cakes and sweet treats.
Plate smashing
Interestingly, one of the best-known Greek cultural traditions associated with food is actually performed in Greece only relatively rarely. Up until a few decades ago, plate smashing was common not just in Greece, but at Greek weddings and in traditional Greek restaurants around the globe. While it may be performed on occasion today, it's certainly nowhere near as prevalent as popular culture would make out. So where did it come from - and why? It's believed the practice dates back to ancient times, and was to do with plates being 'killed' during ceremonies to commemorate the deceased. There are also suggestions that it was popular with wealthy families during family celebrations to demonstrate their wealth. Who needs to wash when you can simply smash and buy again! Needless to say, this would be an expensive tradition for restaurants and families to maintain in modern times!
Greek traditions to celebrate
While there are some cultural mores that thankfully you won't find at our Greek restaurant in Sydney (we happily serve lone diners and we try not to smash the crockery!), the traditional tastes of Greece are alive and well here. Greek food is fresh, wholesome and utterly delicious. Our bar and dinner menus feature both traditional treats and contemporary updates, lovingly prepared with the freshest and finest local produce. Whether you're looking to celebrate a wedding, birthday or just a night out at beautiful Darling Harbour, we'd love to welcome you and introduce you to our delectable Greek cuisine.

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Greek Food and Culture - A Few Quirky Facts

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A cuisine is a major part of Greek culture, and Greek food in Sydney and around the globe is intricately tied to family and community. In a country with a long history of tradition, it's not surprising that food is sometimes part and parcel of cultural practice - and that there are some traditions that make more sense than others!

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Discover Greece through its gastronomy: traditional and modern Greek cuisine will add flavour to your holidays.

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Greek Culture and Traditions - Where the West Meets the East

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Greek Culture and Traditions - Where the West Meets the East

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Easter is by far the most important celebration for the Greeks, even Christmas comes second. Photo by BGNES

Contemporary Greek culture and traditions are very rich and diverse, reflecting Greece's location at the crossing point where the West meets the East and the country's great and turbulent history.

The culture of Greece has evolved over thousands of years - dating from the Paleolithic era and the birth of the great Minoan, (2600-1500 BC), Mycenaean (1500-1150 BC) and Cycladic civilizations through the Classical Period (6th - 4th centuries BC) - the Golden Age, reaching great levels of prosperity that resulted in an unprecedented cultural boom, expressed in architecture, drama, science and philosophy, and nurtured in Athens under a democratic environment, through the sequence of invasions and domination: by the Macedonians, the Romans, the Byzantine Empire and the 400 years of Ottoman rule.

During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Greece saw monarchies and ousting of royalty, fierce political fights, assassinations, and dictatorships, wars that added neighboring territories and new population, but also brought economic devastation and poverty. After the defeat of Germany and the end of World War II, Greece joined NATO in 1952 and experienced a bitter civil war between communist and anticommunist forces.

In 1967, a group of military officers seized power, establishing a military dictatorship that suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country. In 1974, democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In August 1974 Greek forces withdrew from the integrated military structure of NATO in protest against the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus. Greece rejoined NATO in 1980. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU) and became the 12th member of the Eurozone in 2001. It successfully hosted the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

This rich and tumultuous past greatly influences contemporary lifestyle, the Greek perspective on the world, Greek music, food, customs and traditions, even the way Greeks do business. Greeks as a whole are extremely proud of their history, their cultural heritage and their contribution to literature, art, philosophy and politics. They speak with intense passion of their country as the cradle of European civilization.

A recent study found that Greeks' pride in being Greek surpassed the ethnic satisfaction of every other European nation. Greeks define their natural and ethnic belonging through their culture and tradition. Anyone who has seen the movie "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding" knows this. Traditions, religion, music, language, food and drinks are the pillars of contemporary Greek culture and lifestyle, making the country an attraction point for visitors from all over the world.
The Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church is an integral part of life in Greece where the most important holidays are religious in nature and the national religion is practiced by the majority of the population. Greece and Orthodoxy are closely connected due to the country's historical past. During several occupations, and especially during the 400 years of Ottoman rule, the Orthodox religion played a vital role in maintaining the Greek ethnic and cultural identity. Today the Church is more important in political, civic, and governmental affairs than in many other secular countries.

Officially, and like all over Europe, the Greek State and the Orthodox Church are separated, but this separation is not written or regulated by the Constitution and the Greek Orthodox Church has a great influence in Greek society. Religion is present in the education sector, both in private and public schools, where children have compulsory religious courses and pray collectively in the morning before the start of classes. The Orthodox Church is also much integrated into the politic matters of the country.

Even the Greek Constitution guarantees freedom of faith, but defines the "prevailing religion" of Greece as the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ. Most Greeks, whether deeply religious or not, revere and respect the Orthodox Christian faith, attend church, observe major religious holiday and are emotionally attached to Orthodox Christianity as their "national" religion.

Younger people are not as devout church-goers as their parents and grandparents, yet most will still turn to the church for holidays or for important rituals such as weddings and funerals. Despite the fast moving processes of Europeanization and globalization, Greece remains a profoundly religious country. As the Greek say, Orthodoxy is less an institution than a sentiment, expressed by the population and by the public powers. Muslims, Jewish and Roman Catholic are the other religious groups of Greece.
The Greek Family
The Greek society consists of close-knit families where important social organizations have gradually evolved from the idea of family. The institution of marriage also plays an important role in society. The word family in Greece refers to a particular social group whose members are related by blood or marriage at different levels or in different forms or combinations.

The conjugal family includes the husband and wife and their children. The extended family includes the conjugal family as well as ascendants of the husband and/or wife. Interestingly, the National Statistical Service of Greece considers all people who live under the same roof to be members of the family, regardless of whether they are related.

Although family life has changed considerably with the transition from the traditional rural-agricultural life into an urban industrial-modern system, to these days women and particularly mothers in Greece play the most important family roles.

The man is the family's outside representative, enjoying the social prestige and esteem, but the woman traditionally was and is the organizer of the household, the mediator in family disputes, and the guardian of the family's unity. The family's prestige often rests on the woman's ability to carry out her household duties properly.

Frequent communication and assistance between the two adult generations and children and youth are also very common for Greek families. The family offers both financial and emotional support to its members and family relationships carry over into business with nepotism largely seen as something acceptable. It is very common for relatives to work for the same company because Greeks prefer to do business with those they know and trust. Companies are also hierarchical over the traditional respect for age and position.
Greek Food and Drinks
Greek food and beverages are famous all over the world for both quality and taste. Greek cuisine is often cited as an example of the healthy Mediterranean diet while sharing food and drinks with relatives and friends is one of the basic elements of the Greek culture. Greek cuisine incorporates fresh ingredients, among them garlic, onions, fennel, zucchini, grapes, apples, dates and figs, into a variety of local dishes some of which can be traced back to Ancient Greece.

Seasonings and herbs like dill, mint, oregano and lemon rinds also form an important part of the recipes while olive oil is added to almost every dish. Wheat, rice and meat, traditionally lamb, but also chicken, pork, beef and fish, form the staple diet.

The mezedes (single: mezes) are appetizers, served before or with the main dishes. They come in small plates with various dips such as tzatziki (Greek yogurt with finely chopped cucumber, garlic and olive oil). Mezedez often consist of htapodi (small pieces of octopus served grilled, boiled or fried with lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar and oregano), dolmades or dolmadakia (grape leaves filled with rice, onions and sometimes ground beef, currants and pine kernel), kalamarakia (small pieces of fried squid with lemon juice), tiropitakia (small cheese pies, usually made of feta cheese) and spanakopitakia (small spinach pies with crushed feta cheese), small fish, feta cheese and other cheeses such as the saganaki or fried cheese, various olives.

Salads include horiatiki (Village Salad), the most famous Greek salad - a mix of fresh tomatoes, olives, cucumber, onions, green pepper, feta cheese, olive oil and oregano; melitzanosalata - an eggplant puree with finely chopped garlic and olive oil; taramosalata - crushed fish eggs.

Greeks have a lot of excellent main dishes such as moussaka, which has a base made of potatoes topped with eggplants, onions, ground beef and béchamel crème; pastitsio - spaghetti topped with ground beef, onions, tomato sauce and béchamel sauce; paidakia - grilled lamb's ribs served with lemon; kokoretsi - wrapped and roasted entrails of lamb, served with lemon; keftedakia - fried meatballs of beef, garlic and bread. Meat is often served with horta - boiled wild greens with olive oil, salt and lemon and briam - mix of roast potatoes, eggplants, onions, garlic, tomato sauce and olive oil.

Succulent Greek soups include kotossoupa - chicken soup usually with avgolemono (sauce made with eggs and lemon); psarossoupa - fish soup with parsley, potatoes and carrots' fassolada - white bean soup with parsley and, sometimes, tomato sauce; fakies - lentil soup; magiritsa - Easter soup made of lamb entrails, and the avgolemono sauce; patsa - tripe soup, considered by the Greeks as a very good remedy for hangovers.

Greece is also famous for its alcoholic drinks. Liquor includes ouzo and tsipouro with ouzo being the most famous Greek alcoholic beverage, considered the trade mark of the country. It is mixed with ice or with a bit of water and is ideal to drink with all kinds of mezedes. Tsipouro is similar to ouzo but with a stronger taste of anis. In different parts of Greece people make their own home made tsipouro, also called raki, depending of the region.

Among the many quality Greek wines, offering a huge diversity of red, white and rose, sweet or dry, the best known are mavrodafni - a strong, sweet, really thick and dark wine, made in Patras Peloponnese and used for the Holy Communion in the Greek Orthodox Church and the world famous retsina, whose particular resin taste is due to the way the wine is made - putting the grapes in new cask which still has the wood resin on.
Celebrations, Customs and Traditions
Most customs and traditions in Greece and the Greek Islands are of a religious nature, but some stem from paganism.

Easter

Easter is by far the most important celebration for the Greeks, even Christmas comes second. The celebrations for Easter truly begin two months before, but Holy Week is the peak of these activities.

According to the Orthodox tradition, the symbolic red Easter eggs are dyed on Holy Thursday. Greeks believe that the Virgin Mother, Mary, dyed eggs this color (the color of blood) to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and life. On Holy Thursday women are also busy baking kouloúria - dough cookies and tsouréki - the traditional Easter sweet bread. Godparents buy news shoes, clothes and a candle to the kids and, in villages, the exterior of the houses and the streets are whitewashed.

On Good Friday or Great Friday, flags at homes and government buildings are set at half mast to mark the sorrowful day. The Procession of the Epitáphios of Christ, the Epitaphio mourns the death of Christ on the Cross with the symbolic coffin, decorated with thousands of flowers, taken out of the church and carried through the streets by the faithful. At the cemetery everyone lights a candle for the dead; then the Epitaphio with its procession returns to the church where the believers kiss the image of the Christ.

During the night of the Holy Saturday (Megalo Savato), people, dressed in their formal attire, begin to gather in the churches by 11 p.m. for the Easter services, carrying large white candles, lampáda. Just before midnight, all of the churches' lights are turned off, symbolizing the darkness and the silence of the tomb.

At midnight, the priest lights a candle from the Eternal Flame, sings "Christos Anesti" (Christ Arose) and offers the flame to light the candle to the people that are the closest to him. Everyone passes the flame one to another while the clergy sings the Byzantine Chant Christos Anesti. Then, everyone goes out of the church to the streets. The church's bells ring continuously and people say one to another "Christos Anesti", to which the reply is "Alithos Anesti" (Indeed He Has Risen).

Then the faithful go home or to the homes of relatives and friends to share the Resurrection Meal. The candles they carry are placed in each house and burn through the night to symbolize the Light's return to the world. The cracking of eggs is a traditional game where challengers attempt to crack each others' eggs. The breaking of the eggs is meant to symbolize Christ breaking from the Tomb. The person whose egg lasts the longest is assured good luck for the rest of the year.

The following day, Easter Sunday, is spent again with family and friends. The Easter meal is truly a feast with loads of salads, vegetable and rice dishes, breads, cakes, cookies, and plenty of wines and ouzo.

The main dish at the Easter table, however, is roasted lamb, (often turned over open pits), and served in honor of the Lamb of God who was sacrificed and rose again on Easter.

Clean Monday (Kathari Deutera) is part of the Easter celebration and marks the first day of the season of Lent (Saracosti) during which families go for a picnic, fly kites, and feast at local taverns. For Greeks, Clean Monday is one of the most festive holidays of the year.

Name Day Celebration

Most of the Greeks owe their names to a religious saint and in Greece name days are more important than birthdays. Everyone named after a saint honored by the church celebrates his name on a given day of the year. When someone has a "name day" his friends and family visit him without invitation and offer good wishes and small presents. The host greets the guests with pastries, sweets and appetizers.

Engagement

Engagements is a Greek tradition that tends to disappear in Athens and other big cities, but remains customary for smaller towns and villages. Before a couple gets married they must become engaged and the man has to ask the hand of the woman from her father.

When all wedding details are agreed on and ironed, the priest is invited to bless the engagement rings and place them on the left ring-fingers of the couple. The guests wish "Kala Stephana" (Good Crowns meaning "Have a Good Marriage") and "I ora I kali" (that the good hour of the marriage comes) to the fiancés.

Marriage

Marriage is another big celebration in Greece. In some parts, outside Athens and other big cities, the bride still has a dowry made by her mother, grandmothers and aunts, consisting of sheets, towels and hand made embroideries, while the father of the bride traditionally offers a furnished home to his daughter and son-in-law as a wedding gift. On the day of the wedding, the bride gets dressed with the help of girlfriends and women from her family, and is kept hidden, for it is bad luck for the groom to see her before the ceremony.

During the wedding ceremony, the best men and best woman (koumbaro and koumbara) give the wedding rings to the priest, cross the crowns (stephana) three times and then place them on the couple's head. Once the priest has declared them married, the guests throw rice and almond candy wrapped with white sugar (ta koufeta) to the new couple.

After the ceremony, the bridal couple stays in the church and all the guests kiss them and wish them "na zisete" (Long Life to You). Then everybody goes to the wedding reception, which is usually a restaurant rented for the night, where people dance, eat and drink all night long.

After the reception the new couple leaves for its honeymoon.

Baptism

Baptismal day is one of the most important days in the life of a Greek Orthodox. It usually takes place the first year after the baby is born. Until the baby is baptized it is often called baby and doesn't have a name.

On Baptism Day, the baby is undressed and wrapped in a white towel. The priest blesses the water and adds olive oil brought by the godparents. He then immerses the baby three times, saying the chosen name. (Children in Greece are traditionally named after their grandmother or the grandfather.) The priest also blesses the baby and the baby clothes with "myrrh" (olive oil blessed by the Patriarch). The child is then dressed in white clothes. The priest puts a gold chain with a cross on his or her neck and gives the baby its first Holy Communion.

At the end of the ceremony, the parents kiss the godparent's hands and receive guests' wishes: "na sas zisei" (Long Life to Your Baby).

The ceremony is followed by a celebration at the family's house or a restaurant.

Carnival

Another big Greek celebration is "Apokries" or Carnival. The Carnival is two weeks long, beginning from the Sunday of Meat Fare and ending with the start of Lent, (Clean Monday). People wear carnival costumes and party in the streets and bars, throwing colored confetti to each other. The most famous Carnival parade takes place in the city of Patra. It is believed that this custom has pagan roots, and originates from the old festivities worshiping Dionysus, the God of Wine.

Greek Independence Day

The Greek Independence Day celebrates Greece's liberation from the Ottoman domination on March 25, 1821.

October 28: The "NO"

On October 28, the Greeks celebrate the day when Metaxas (a Greek General, appointed Prime Minister of Greece between April-August 1936 and dictator during the 4th of August Regime, from 1936 until his death in 1941), said no to the Italians who wanted to invade the country. It is the celebration of the heroic OXI (NO) many Greeks put a Greek flag on their windows while marches with students wearing a blue and white uniform and holding Greek flags are organized by schools.
Superstitions
In addition to being deeply religious, Greeks are very superstitious people and believe in the supernatural or the paranormal, but superstitions vary from region to region.

Bread

In Greece, especially in villages, bread is considered a gift of God. Because of that women bless the bread and make the sign of the cross with a knife before slicing it.

Evil Eye

Some Greeks believe that someone can catch the evil eye, or "matiasma", from jealous or envious people. Those, who have caught the evil eye, usually feel bad physically and mentally. To avoid the matiasma one must wear a charm: a little blue marble glass with an eye painted on it or a blue bracelet. Blue is believed to be the color that protects against the evil eye but it is also believed that people with blue eyes can give matiasma. Garlic is another way to guard against the evil eye, and people often hang it in their houses.

Knives

Greeks never hand a knife to someone because they believe it will bring a fight with the person. Therefore they set it down on the table and let the other person take it.

Priests

Orthodox priests are revered and in villages the custom is to kiss their hand in respect when meeting them. But it is believed that seeing a black cat and a priest during the same day is bad luck.

Spitting

Some Greeks believe that spitting chases the devil away. That is why when someone talks about bad news (deaths, accidents, etc...) or compliments babies, children and even adults, the others slightly spit three times saying "ftou, ftou, ftou".

Tuesday the 13th

Unlike the Western belief, in Greece the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th and not Friday the 13th. Tuesday is considered to be the unluckiest day of the week because on Tuesday, May 29th, 1453 the city of Constantinople was besieged and taken by the Ottoman Turks. Greeks also consider the number 13 to be good luck and the main theory is the belief that having 12 apostles of Christ made Christ the 13th of the group. However, the combination of Tuesday and 13 as Tuesday the 13th of the month is considered a very unlucky day in Greek culture.

"Piase kokkino" (Touch Red)

Greeks believe that saying the same thing at the same time is an omen and the two people will get into a fight or an argument. Because of this, when people say the same thing together they must immediately follow by telling one another "piase kokkino" and both have to touch any red item they can find around them.
Greek Music
The word music itself comes from the Greek word musiki, meaning all the arts of the nine Muses. Greek music extends far back into Ancient times where it played an important role in the education system and boys were taught music from the age of six. Music in Ancient Greece included mixed-gender choruses performing for entertainment, celebration and spiritual reasons, and instruments such as the double-reed aulos, the plucked string instrument, the lyre, especially the special kind called a kithara.

Music was later influenced by the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire. While the new technique of polyphony was developing in the West, the Eastern Orthodox Church resisted any type of change and Byzantine music remained monophonic and without any form of instrumental accompaniment, but in the same time this enabled the monophonic Byzantine chant to develop to the greatest heights of perfection.

Along with this chant, Greek people developed the Greek folk song which is divided into two cycles, the akritic and klephtic. The akritic was created between the 9th and 10th centuries A.D. and expressed the life and struggles of the akrites (frontier guards) of the Byzantine Empire. The klephtic cycle was born between the late Byzantine period and the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821.

The events and social changes of the 20th century changed the fate of the folk song in Greece. After World War I and with the increased trend towards urban living popular musicians began congregating in Athens. The musical tradition, preserved in villages with little contact with the outside world, changed into a completely reverse direction today when commercialized folk songs reach remote villages.
Greece - International Movie Location
With its bright sunlight, beautiful nature, rich history and culture, Greece has been the favorite set for many movie directors, including Hollywood ones.

Some of the most famous pictures, filmed in Greece include: Boy on a Dolphin, starring Sophia Loren; Never on Sunday with Melina Merkouri (1960); Guns of Navarone with Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn (1961); Zorba the Greek with Anthony Quinn (1964); the James Bond series movie For Your Eyes only, with Roger Moore as the 007 spy (1981); Summer Lovers (1982); Captain Corelli's Mandolin, starring Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz (2001); Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, starring Angelina Joli (2003); Mamma Mia!, the legendary musical, starring Meryl Streep.

The best-known contemporary Greeks include the film-maker, Kostas Gavras, the Nobel Prize winner,, Odysseus Elitis and composer, Mikis Theodorakis.

Novinite welcomes any comments, additions, corrections and suggestions about this article, particularly from our Greek readers.

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Greek Culture and Traditions - Where the West Meets the East - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

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Contemporary Greek culture and traditions are very rich and diverse, reflecting Greece's location at the crossing point where the West meets the East and the country's great and turbulent history.

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Hebe

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Traditional Greek Desserts - My Greek Dish

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A delicious collection of traditional Greek desserts! From the traditional baklava and milk pie (galaktoboureko) to regional classics like Thessaloniki's pastry triangles and seasonal specials, this Greek desserts recipe collection has got you covered! So if you prefer a quick and easy treat or looking for something more difficult, browse through my latest Greek dessert ideas and pick the perfect dish for you!

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Hebe

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Feta cheese, tender lamb, rich honey and olives are just part of the Greek traditional ingredients. The Greek cuisine is known worldwide and also is rated as one of the most healthy because of the ingredients they put in all kind of recipes. The abundance of the seafood and herbs make every meal tastes succulent and delicious.

And what about the Greek sweets and desserts? There are also a lot traditional and unique Greek desserts that you have to try if you go over there. Baklava, loukoumades or galaktoboureko, we really can't decide which one tastes better! If you can't wait until you get the chance to go in Greece and try the original ones, meanwhile you can make these sweets at home. We would like to hear from you which one is your favourite!

Loukoumades (Honey Puffs)
via greek-islands.us
Loukoumades are a popular Greek sweets. They are golden balls of fried dough that are bathed in sweet syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts.

Kourabiedes (Walnut Sugar Cookies)
via owlsinclothes.blogspot.com
For the taste of these walnut cookies it's said that is similar as biscuits. They are almost always served with a powdered sugar topping.

Portokalopita (Orange Cake)
via saveur.com
Greek yoghurt with oranges go perfect. The phyllo dough gives this orange-scented custard cake its layered texture. It's believed that the origin of this cake comes from the island Crete.

Greek Baklava
via greek-islands.us
There are so many variates for making baklava, but this is the regular one. First try this one, and if you like it you can add so many other ingredients to enrich the taste, for example pistachio, chocolate, honey nut, cream cheese and many more.

Kokakia (Greek Cream Puffs)
via greekfood.about.com
These cream puffs are made by filling two small cake-type cookies with a pastry cream, dipping in a light syrup and coating with a chocolate glaze. Optionally, they can be rolled in shredded coconut.

Galaktoboureko (Milk Pie)
via browneyedbaker.com
Considering that this recipe include phyllo dough, takes more time for preparing, but at the end you'll see that worth it. This is nothing else but layers of crispy, buttery, flaky pastry.

Theeples (Sweet Fried Bow Knots)
via greek-islands.us
Cook the pieces until golden brown. Then place them somewhere to cool. When you'll add the topping leave them to cool down and then serve.

Halvas (Semolina Pudding)
via sbs.com.au
When preparing a Greek halva, the semolina is firstly toasted in oil, bringing an irresistible smell and then soaked in hot syrup, with the aromas and blends of cinnamon and clove.

Melomakarona (Honey & Spice Cookies)
via greek-islands.us
Melomakarona cookies are delicious and not very hard to make. They are soft cookies dipped in a honey syrup and covered with chopped walnuts.

Kataifi
via ultimate-guide-to-greek-food.com
Kataifi is also one of the most popular and delicious Greek desserts. It is made with a special type of pastry called kataifi that for fun we call them sweet spaghetti because of their shape.

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Top 10 Traditional Greek Desserts - Top Inspired

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Feta cheese, tender lamb, rich honey and olives are just part of the Greek traditional ingredients. The Greek cuisine is known worldwide and also is rated as one of the most healthy because of the ingredients they put in all kind of recipes. The abundance of the seafood and herbs make every meal tastes succulent and delicious.

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Hebe

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A traditional Greek Cypriot Flaouna recipe, for your to prepare this delicious treat to perfection! Discover all the secrets behind the perfect flaouna with its sweet, savoury and infused with the delicious aromas of mahlab and mastic filling here...

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Hebe

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Here are a few of our favorite Greek pastry and cake recipes.

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29 Traditional Greek Foods You Must Eat in Greece

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29 Traditional Greek Foods You Must Eat in Greece

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Hebe

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Bucket List Journey | Travel + Lifestyle Blog

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Call me crazy, but prior to traveling to Greece I had no idea how delicious Greek food would actually be. But, by the third trip to the Mediterranean country there was a deep love fest forming for the tasty traditional Greek cuisine. My days (and nights) were filled with dishes of moussaka, tzatziki and, of course delicious desserts like baklava. It is some of the best food in the world!

Greek food spreads its culinary influence throughout Europe and beyond. With an ancient tradition, Greek cuisine has been greatly influenced by both Eastern and Western cultures. Flavors of Greek food changes with season and geography. However, fresh vegetables, fishes & seafood plays a significant role in the dishes mostly because of its long coastline while meat is treated as less popular, with the exception of lamb.

Here are some of the favorites not to missed when traveling through Greece.

1. Amygdalota

Amygdalota is gluten-free almond cookie that is wildly popular in Greece and are the perfect match to a warm cup of Greek coffee. Whether it is a family or friends gathering, Amygdalota reflects the images of good times warm relationships. This food may vary a bit in different parts of Greece, but almonds being the dominant ingredient throughout the regions.

Recipe > Almond Cookies by Saveur

2. Baklava

Baklava is the quintessential Greek food experience. This cuisine mostly contains nuts and butter along with sugar. After baking, sweet syrup is poured over it so that the syrup can be absorbed by the crispy layers of phyllo. It is probably the most popular food item among all Greek desserts. It brings a festive mood in the dining room through its exquisite flavor and flaky crust.

Recipe > Baklava by Michael Symon

3. Bougatsa

Bougatsa is a kind of sweet pie (less sweet if you consider Greek standard) made of phyllo pastry & semolina custard. This is a kind of food that tastes good in daytime, delicious at late night and best enjoyed with pleasant memories. If you want to eat this pie from roadside food court you will also get a sprinkle of powder sugar and cinnamon on top.

4. Courgette Balls (kolokithokeftedes)

You are going to want to add this veggie starter to the list of your favorite dishes. This is a very popular Cretan meze, found in most (if not all) Greek restaurants. Your taste buds will be mesmerized by its flavored texture, salty & tasty feta cheese with a bit of fresh mint. The original kolokythokeftedes must be crispy on the outside with a creamy texture on the inside.

Recipe > Courgette Balls by Lemon & Olives

5. Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

This is another sign of the versatile nature of Greek food. Dolmadakia are tiny dolmades that are made of stuffed grape leaves. Inside the leaf you will get meat of ground lamb or beef (sometimes both) and rice stuffing. Traditionally, this dish is served as appetizer with lemon wedges.

Recipe > Dolmades by Tyler Florence

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6. Tomatokeftedes (Santorini Tomato Fritters)

Tomaotokeftedes or tomato fritters are traditional meze and main course vegetarian food item in Santorini and Syros. Proper draining of tomato is essential for preparing this delicious food item. These fritters have rough edges with bits of mint, tomato and onion chunks. PS: before heading to Santorini, definitely read our Santorini Bucket List: 30 Best Things to Do on the Greek Island!

Recipe > Tomatokeftedes (Fried Santorini tomato balls / tomato fritters) by My Greek Dish

7. Ellinikos (Greek Coffee)

Ellinikos is still the most favorite style of coffee adopted in Greece. The coffee is served in the traditional long handled coffee copper pot which is known as briki in Greek. There are three different tastes of Ellinikos like Vari Glyko which means strong & almost honey sweet, Metrios meaning medium sweetness and Sketos mening without sugar.

Recipe > Greek Coffee (Ellinikos Kafes)

8. Greek Fava Dip (Yellow Split Pea Puree)

This mouthwatering vegetable dish, made with yellow split peas, is mostly popular on the Greek island of Santorini, however, remains dominant in terms of popularity all across Greece. It is creamy with spectacular taste-great starter for winter days. Enjoy this Fava dish as an appetizer or dip with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Recipe > Authentic Greek Fava recipe (Yellow Split Peas Puree)

9. Feta Me Meli

Another Greek food dish that can be tasted as dessert or an entrée. Feta is wrapped in filo pastry before oven baked and honey is drizzled over it. The optimum balance between salty feta and sweet honey creates a mesmerizing taste.

Recipe > Phyllo-wrapped Feta Cheese Appetizer with Honey and Sesame Seeds

10. Frappe

Frappe is an iced coffee drink that makes your hot summer days comfortable. Two main components of Frappe are water and instant coffee granules. Once mixed it becomes addictive, delicious and frothy. With such a strong appeal it's a perfect pick-me-up drink without extra calories.

Recipe > New York Times Recipe: Greek Frappé

11. Galaktoboureko

Galaktoboureko is a great Greek dessert with crispy perfection. Take a mouthful bite of Galaktoboureko and let your mouth be filled with its juices. This age old Greek dessert is made of crispy phyllo sprinkled with melted butter. Greeks use the most creamy custard & scented syrup to increase the taste of this food by many folds.

Recipe > Traditional Greek Galaktoboureko recipe (Greek Custard Pie with Syrup)

12. Greek Salad (Choriatiki)

Greek salad is a must have for Greeks with almost every meal. Choriatiki are made of tomatoes, olives, cucumber and a large piece of feta cheese and served undressed. Dressing is left at person's choice hence all restaurants serve vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil with the salad. With the tradition of being a starter, Greek salad can also be a great side dish.

Recipe > Bon Appetit Greek Salad

13. Gyros

Gyros are an economical meal choice and so yummy! When the meat is roasted vertically and turning on the spit it is known as Gyro. Wait, it is not done yet. Slices of gyro are then placed in pita with various taste enhancers including sauce, onions, lettuce, tomatoes and potato chips.

Recipe > Gyro Meat with Tzatziki Sauce by Alton Brown

14. Halvas

You will be surprised by the deliciousness of such humble food especially when you are looking for a no dairy, no butter and an egg free dessert. Halva is a great combo of four ingredients: oil, semolina, sugar and water. You will be mesmerized by the taste of these four ingredients when combined. In simple words, halva is semolina pudding which is sweetened by syrup and studded with nuts.

Recipe > Halva (A Greek Sweet Using Semolina)

. . .

15. Kataifi

This is one of the most popular Greek desserts made with a special type of pastry called Kataifi. When rolled up the pastry resembles shredded wheat. A delectable nutty center is rolled inside crisp, thread like strands of pastry, baked, and then soaked in sweet syrup. The pastry is full of strand so there is always a chance to get messy when you eat this. So don't try too much to pull them or cut them.

Recipe > Kataïfi: Almond & Walnut Pastry in Syrup

16. Keftethes (Meatballs)

Give this juicy and crispy Greek meatball a try and bring a delicious twist to your plate. Keftethes is mainly a Greek appetizer dish served with creamy sauce and pita bread. However, this item can also be eaten as a full meal with basmati rice and Greek feta salad.

Recipe > Margaret's Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)

17. Loukoumades

Loukoumades are little bite-sized golden puffs of fried dough that are sprinkled with sweet syrup, walnuts and cinnamon. With crispy outside and fluffy inside this Greek donut will give you absolute deliciousness.

Recipe > Loukoumades at All Recipes

18. Moussaka

A legendary, traditional dish that is creamy and juicy. Moussaka is served in almost all tavernas in Greece. In the big family gathering this dish is prepared by Greek homemakers. In Moussaka, tomato sauce is used to cook minced beef which is subsequently layered with sweet eggplants and creamy béchamel sauce. This irresistible cuisine is filling so you don't need too many side dishes.

Recipe > Bobby Flay's Moussaka

19. Pasteli

Pasteli is a Greek cusine made of mainly two components; honey and sesame seeds. These pasteli are known as the original power bars in Greece. In additions to honey and sesame different nuts like walnuts, almonds or pistachios are used to bring more variety. Pasteli fits very well as an accompaniment to tea. It can also be eaten as candy or lunchtime snack and energy booster.

Recipe > Pasteli at Epicurious

20. Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a baked pasta dish including ground beef and béchamel sauce. This mouthwatering food is something you can enjoy in every season. The food in Greece is served with mixed green salad dressed with wine vinegar and virgin olive oil.

Recipe > Nikki's Perfect Pastitsio

21. Retsina Wine

An age old wine bearing all rituals and cultures of ancient Greece for more than 2000 years. The unique test of this wine is believed to have originated from sealing wine vessels with Pine resin. Pine resin prevents air from entering into the bottle while infusing the wine with resin aroma. This wine matches superbly with dishes containing mint, rosemary and dill.

22. Revani

Revani is a very popular dessert which is nutty and grainy with some lemony flavor. This moist cake is sweetened by simple syrup flavored with orange zest. This is not an overly sweet desserts and it is indeed a delightful addition to any dining table.

Recipe > Really Rich Revani Cake

23. Saganaki - Fried Cheese

This is the food that holds the attention of all cheese lovers. Sagnaki is mostly an appetizer that is prepared in two-handled small frying pan. This beloved traditional Greek food is prepared in less than 10 minutes while using only two ingredients-flour & cheese. Sagnaki refers to many dishes (which are mostly appetizers) like Shrimp Sagnaki, Mussels Sagnaki etc. However, the most famed one is this Cheese Saganaki.

Recipe > Greek Saganaki: Emeril Lagasse

24. Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a very popular Greek food available in street side restaurants. The dish is well cooked with seasoned meat and then flavored with tzatziki sauce. In Greek language Souvlaki stands for 'meat-on-a-skewer. Most Greek people call any type of pita wrapped meat a Souvlaki. However, they somehow distinguish the name by the meat that is used. As for instance, Souvlaki with pork skewers or Souvlaki with chicken Gyros.

Recipe > Lamb Souvlaki with Yogurt-Garlic Sauce

25. Spanikopita

Spanikopita or otherwise known as Greek spinach pie is a traditional yet delicious recipe. With its versatility the dish matches with every time of the day. Be it dinner, as a snack or starter Spanikopita will definitely satisfy your taste buds. Feta cheese, butter, olive oil all are mixed and baked until golden crispy perfection.

Recipe > Spanikopita (Spinach Triangles or Pie)

26. Taramasalata

Taramasalata is a creamy Greek dip made with fish roe, lemon juice, olive oil and soaked bread. You can also use mashed potatoes instead of bread and add onions, garlic and/or peppers. This dish is typically served as an appetizers or meze with lots of pita bread.

27. Tiropita

Tiropita, otherwise known as 'Greek cheese pie', is traditionally popular throughout Greece and can be eaten as a starter or a mid-day snack. This feta cheese food comes into different shapes & sizes. When it is rolled into individual triangular servings that's when it is called Tiropita. The main ingredient used in this recipe is various types of cheese (feta cheese mostly). Melted butter and olive oil are also used while preparing this mouthwatering dish.

Recipe > Tiropita (Greek Savory Cheese Pie)

28. Tzatziki

Tzatziki is one of the classic Greek sauces or appetizers with as many varieties as there are cooks who prepare it. Basically, this spectacular food item is made of thick strained yogurt, garlic, olive oil as well as fresh dill. Although it's a combination of various ingredients but it is simple to prepare and is able to rock any get together.

Recipe > World's Best Tzatziki

29. Yiaourti Me Meli

Yiaourti Me Meli literally means yogurt with honey. This is simple filler which is rich in protein with creamy sweet flavor. You can have this food in breakfast dishes or as a dessert. Yiaourti Me Meli is a healthy combo of Greek yogurt, honey and walnuts. The subtle sour taste of yogurt, the sweetness of thyme or wildflower honey, the depth & complexity of walnuts-altogether it is a food from heaven!

30. Yemista

Yemista is a traditional recipe for Greek stuffed tomatoes that comes with vibrant colors and juicy flavors. Instead of tomatoes other vegetables are also used and baked until it turns to brownish color. The stuffing can either be with rice and various herbs or it may contain minced meat. There are countless variations of Yemista and you are allowed to experiment with different types of herbs & spices.

Recipe > Yemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers)

Are your taste buds salivating yet? If you're ready to indulge in traditional Greek cuisine an easy way to do so is to take a food tour.

What is your favorite Greek foods, dishes or cuisine?

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running-at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclosure here.

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Have a Romantic Sunset Dinner Overlooking the Santorini Caldera

Helpful Resources
Cookbook: The Foods of the Greek Islands

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Greek Food Bucket List: 30 Traditional Dishes to Eat From Greece

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Call me crazy, but prior to traveling to Greece I had no idea how delicious Greek food would actually be. But, by the third trip to the Mediterranean country there was a deep love fest forming for the tasty traditional Greek cuisine.

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Favorite Greek Desserts & Cookies for the Holiday

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Favorite Greek Desserts & Cookies for the Holiday

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Hebe

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Favorite Greek Desserts and Pastries for the Holidays

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Treat your Holiday guests to an array of Greek desserts and pastries. What better way to sweeten your holiday celebration?

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Hebe

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Fresh off my third vasilopita win in four years - read on if you have no idea what that means - I am proud to share my knowledge of Greek cuisine with this list of 60 food and drink terms. No, bundt cake is not included ( My Big Fat Greek Wedding, anyone?) The list includes everything from aperitifs to desserts, so brush up on your Hellenic kitchen vocabulary and head out to one of your city's best Greek restaurants for some lamb intestines and shots of ouzo. Opa!
Drinks

Frappé - A foam-covered iced coffee drink made from instant coffee

Gia sas - "Cheers!"

Kafenio - A café, where people often socialize and play games of cards

Ouzo - An anise-flavored aperitif widely consumed in the country

Mastika - A brandy-based digestif native to the island of Chios

Metaxa - A distilled spirit that is a blend of brandy, spices and wine

Retsina - A white or rosé resonated wine

General food

Arni - Lamb

Brizola - Steak

Feta - A rich cheese made from sheep or goat's milk and cured in brine

Filo - Paper-thin sheets of unleavened flour dough

Fourno - Oven

Kali orexi - "Bon appétit!"

Kotopoulo - Chicken

Lathera - Dishes cooked in oil, often vegetarian

Meli - Honey

Mezedes - Small dishes, similar to the Spanish concept of tapas

Octapodi - Octopus, traditionally served grilled

Pikilia - An assortment of appetizers

Pita - A round pocket bread dipped in spreads or used with meat dishes

Psito - A method for roasting meat in the oven

Tapsi - A traditional baking dish

Taverna - A small restaurant serving traditional cuisine

Yiaourti - Yogurt

Soups and stews

Avgolemono - A chicken soup with egg and lemon juice mixed with broth

Fasolada - A meatless bean soup

Psarosoupa - A fish soup

Stifado - A stew, typically made from meat, tomatoes, onions and herbs

Traditional dishes

Barbouni - A small fish, often eaten whole. Also known as "red mullet"

Dolmades - Stuffed grape leaves

Gigandes - Giant baked beans

Gyro - A dish of meat roasted on a vertical spit. Often served in a sandwich

Horiatiki - Traditional Greek salad

Keftedes - Meatballs cooked with herbs and onions

Kokoretsi - Seasoned lamb intestines

Kolokithokeftedes - Zucchini fritters, often served with tzatziki

Lavraki - European sea bass

Marida - Little fish, lightly fried and eaten whole

Melitzanosalata - An eggplant dip

Moussaka - An eggplant-based dish with spiced meat and béchamel

Paidakia - Grilled lamb chops

Pastitsio - A baked pasta dish with meat and béchamel topping

Rolo Kima - A traditional meatloaf stuffed with boiled eggs

Saganaki - Fried cheese, named after the small frying pan it is cooked in

Souvlaki - Small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables on a skewer

Spanakopita - Spinach pie

Spanakorizo - Spinach and rice cooked in lemon and olive oil sauce

Taramasalata - A spread made from fish roe

Tsipoura - Sea bream

Tzatziki - A sauce made out of strained yogurt, cucumbers and garlic

Yemista - Tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice

Youvetsi - Lamb with orzo

Sweets

Baklava - A rich pastry made with layers of filo filled with nuts and honey

Galactoboureko - A filo pastry with a rich custard filling

Loukoumades - Fried balls of dough drenched in honey with cinnamon

Kourabiedes - Light almond shortbread served during the holidays

Melomakarona - Cookies with honey and walnuts served during the holidays

Ravani - A sweet cake made of semolina soaked in syrup

Tsoureki - A sweet, egg-enriched bread served at Christmas and Easter

Vasilopita - New Year's Day cake. A coin is baked in and the person who finds it is said to have good luck for the year

Learn to order in other languages on Food Republic:

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60 Greek Food/Drink Words And Phrases - Food Republic

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Fresh off my third vasilopita win in four years - read on if you have no idea what that means - I am proud to share my knowledge of Greek cuisine with this list of 60 food and drink terms. It includes everything from aperitifs to desserts, so brush up on your Hellenic kitchen vocabulary and head out to one of your city's best Greek restaurants for some lamb intestines and shots of ouzo.

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Hebe

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Don't forget to share this recipe for Vasilopita - Greek New Year's Cake by The Greek Glutton

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you are all recovering from last night's shenanigans or that you are up bright and early embracing the day if you stayed in yesterday. I myself rang in the New Year in Prague with my family, for which I trudged through slippery streets with my little 7-year-old sister to find ingredients to make a Greek vasilopita cake. A 'vasilopita' in Greek means a "king's pie" for St. Basil, who in tradition brings presents to children on January 1st. Families usually cut the vasilopita around midnight on New Year's Eve, with the most senior member of the family getting the first slice. A foil-wrapped coin is always hidden somewhere in the cake... And whoever gets the coin in their slice of cake gets good luck for the upcoming year!

This year my little sister got the coin so I suspect she has a good year coming up ahead! Actually, we were shopping for ingredients and she spotted a kit of purple, green, and orange frosting tubes. She beggeddd me to let her decorate the cake with it... And I thought to myself "well...maybe the green could be ok" (seeing as that's sort of a holiday color) and she agreed.

But at home she wanted to squeeze ALL of the colors onto the cake...!!! But of course I am a cook/baker. So I had a certain vision for my "masterpiece" that I didn't want changed. Does that make me stubborn? LOL. So we came to a compromise, and I was able to decorate the cake in the traditional way. I snapped a few pics (unfortunately after the sun had already gone down), and then I let her attack the cake in any way she wanted. Surprisingly, the colored frosting was pretty clear and she didn't actually put too much on, so I was able to snap some more pics of the half-eaten cake this morning.

I really like this cake because it's easy to make and has no complicated ingredients. And mostly because it tastes like cake you used to eat when you were little. The kind that your mom or grandmother used to make (no matter where you're from). It's just one of THOSE cakes that tastes familiar and brings up good memories. Actually, there's a cup of orange juice in this cake but it really doesn't taste orangey at all. I think the juice just helps bring out the flavors and makes the cake taste a bit more rich. Fortunately the recipe I'm giving you is a much lighter version of the traditional recipe, with about half the number of eggs, and half the amount of sugar, flour, and butter. So it's a good way to start the New Year off right!

Wishing all of you a prosperous year filled with happiness and health. Bring on 2015!

Yields 8 servings

10 minPrep Time

45 minCook Time

55 minTotal Time

Save Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

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Vasilopita - Greek New Year's Cake | The Greek Glutton

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Don't forget to share this recipe for Vasilopita - Greek New Year's Cake by The Greek Glutton HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you are all recovering from last night's shenanigans or that you are up bright and early embracing the day if you stayed in yesterday.

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Hebe

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Traditional Greek Taverna Recipes - My Greek Dish

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My very best collection of delicious, traditional Greek Taverna recipes for you to recreate that wonderful tavern meal! In this taverna collection you'll find dozens of delicious recipe ideas that I've meticulously gathered from all over Greece ranging from delightful mezes, traditional Greek grilled meat dishes to fresh-from-the-sea fish and seafood delights, slow cooked mains and regional specialties that will satisfy every palate!

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Greek food: 11 delicious dishes you need to try

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Greek food: 11 delicious dishes you need to try

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Hebe

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insert_drive_file Article * 5 mins * 15 March 2016

Greeks love their food. They love to eat and love to feed others; this is one place you're guaranteed never to feel hungry. Unlike the typical British or American three square meals a day, the Greeks eat up to five times a day.

Greek food uses mainly fresh local ingredients such as Mediterranean vegetables, olive oil, lemon juice, various types of fish and meat, as well as grains. Dishes are flavoursome and packed with variety of fresh and dried herbs. If you're heading to the Mediterranean to graze on Greek food - five times a day, of course - then you should have room for at least a few of these delicious dishes.

1. Moussaka

One of Greece's most famous dishes, moussaka consists of layers of fried aubergine, minced meat and potatoes, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and then baked until golden brown. Some restaurants will also serve an equally delectable vegetarian version.

2. Fasolatha

Another of Greece's national dishes, although not so well known internationally, is this classic white bean soup. It's a simple, yet hearty affair consisting of beans, crushed tomatoes, and vegetables such as onions, carrots and celery. It's often flavoured with thyme, parsley and bay leaves.

3. Koulouri

Walk around any of the big Greek cities such as Athens or Thessaloniki in the mornings and you'll often see locals on their way to work munching on koulouri - large soft bread rings covered in sesame seeds. They're often sold from yellow street carts and eaten on the go with a cup of coffee.
Image by Spyros Papaspyropoulos on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
4. Loukoumades

A Greek delicacy loved by children and adults alike, loukoumades are small fried doughnut-like balls drenched in honey syrup and sprinkled with various toppings such as cinnamon or crushed walnuts. People usually order a large plate of them to share with friends or family.

5. Souvlaki

Perennially popular all over the world, these grilled meat (usually pork) skewers are often served with tzatziki (a sauce made from yoghurt, cucumber and mint), pita bread, salad or rice.

6. Dolmades

Eaten as an accompaniment to a main meal, dolmades are vine or grape leaves stuffed with herby, lemony rice and folded over to create a small parcel, which is then steamed. You can also find them filled with meat or vegetables.

7. Spanakopita

The Greeks love their pies and you can find many varieties, from those made with enriched dough to those made from flaky phyllo (also filo) pastry and filled with anything from aubergines or meat to greens or cheese. The most classic is the spanakopita - phyllo pastry layered with feta cheese and spinach and flavoured with dill. Another favourite is tyropita - crunchy phyllo pastry wrapped around a savoury cheese filling.

8. Gyro

A bit like a kebab, a gyro is a typical Greek sandwich. It consists of pieces of meat (usually chicken, pork, lamb or beef) cooked on a rotisserie and wrapped in a flatbread or pita along with salad, onions and a variety of sauces. Vegetarian versions can include grilled halloumi (a salty Cypriot cheese made from a mix of sheep's and goat's milk) or feta cheese instead of the meat.

9. Galaktoboureko

These sweet custard slices, made with layers of flaky phyllo pastry and sprinkled with cinnamon, are worth a visit to Greece alone, even if you don't do anything else. They're best eaten warm, straight from the oven.
Image by Ellen Munro on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
10. Baklava

Found all over Greece, Turkey and the Middle East, baklavas are small sweet pastries soaked in honey-like syrup and layered with crushed nuts such as walnuts or almonds. In central Greece they are made with almonds, in the eastern regions with walnuts and in northern Greece with pistachios.

11. Pastitsio
Explore more of Greece with the Rough Guide to Greece. Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don't forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.
Similar to Italian lasagne, but made with small macaroni instead of pasta sheets, this is Greek comfort food at its best. It's made by layering ground beef or lamb with macaroni and béchamel sauce and is often flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg and Greek herbs. Sometimes it's also topped with grated cheese before being baked in the oven.

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Greek food: 11 delicious dishes you need to try | Travel Feature

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insert_drive_file Article * 5 mins * 15 March 2016 Greeks love their food. They love to eat and love to feed others; this is one place you're guaranteed never to feel hungry. Unlike the typical British or American three square meals a day, the Greeks eat up to five times a day.

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Stephen Simon

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1. European authorities have authorized handing 7.5 billion euros, or $8.4 billion, in bailout aid to Greece, which will allow the country to keep paying its bills in the coming months. It has also won additional pledges of debt relief, helping to ease concerns about another crisis in Greece at a time when Europe is dealing with an influx of migrants and a continuing terrorist threat.

Debt relief has been a contentious issue for creditors, with the International Monetary Fund and Germany lining up on opposite sides. The I.M.F. has insisted that Greece cannot meet its budget goals without easing its debts, while Germany remains skeptical of cutting Athens more slack.

They have reached a compromise, of sorts. Greece's creditors committed to debt relief, although not until 2018 at the earliest, provided the country continues to carry out painful changes.

2. How does the crisis affect the global financial system?

In the European Union, most real decision-making power, particularly on matters involving politically delicate things like money and migrants, rests with 28 national governments, each one beholden to its voters and taxpayers. This tension has grown only more acute since the January 1999 introduction of the euro, which binds 19 nations into a single currency zone watched over by the European Central Bank but leaves budget and tax policy in the hands of each country, an arrangement that some economists believe was doomed from the start.

Since Greece's debt crisis began in 2010, most international banks and foreign investors have sold their Greek bonds and other holdings, so they are no longer vulnerable to what happens in Greece. (Some private investors who subsequently plowed back into Greek bonds, betting on a comeback, regret that decision.)

And in the meantime, the other crisis countries in the eurozone, like Portugal, Ireland and Spain, have taken steps to overhaul their economies and are much less vulnerable to market contagion than they were a few years ago.

Gross government debt as a percentage of gross domestic product plotted through the fourth quarter of 2014.

Source: Eurostat

Gross government debt as a percentage of gross domestic product plotted through the fourth quarter of 2014.

Source: Eurostat

3. What if Greece left the eurozone?

At the height of the debt crisis a few years ago, many experts worried that Greece's problems would spill over to the rest of the world. If Greece defaulted on its debt and exited the eurozone, they argued, it might create global financial shocks bigger than the collapse of Lehman Brothers did.

Now, however, some people believe that if Greece were to leave the currency union, in what is known as a "Grexit," it would not be such a catastrophe. Europe has put up safeguards to limit the so-called financial contagion, in an effort to keep the problems from spreading to other countries. Greece, just a tiny part of the eurozone economy, could regain financial autonomy by leaving, these people contend - and the eurozone would actually be better off without a country that seems to constantly need its neighbors' support.

Greece does hold some leverage, however. European leaders are keen to avoid a new Greek crisis before a British referendum on membership to the European Union in June, and will most likely need Greece's help in tackling the Continent's continuing migration crisis, which has been concentrated in the Aegean Sea.

First quarter 2015 average; *Britain is the three-month average through February.

Source: Eurostat

4. How did Greece get to this point?

Greece became the center of Europe's debt crisis after Wall Street imploded in 2008. With global financial markets still reeling, Greece announced in October 2009 that it had been understating its deficit figures for years, raising alarms about the soundness of Greek finances.

Suddenly, Greece was shut out from borrowing in the financial markets. By the spring of 2010, it was veering toward bankruptcy, which threatened to set off a new financial crisis.

To avert calamity, the so-called troika - the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission - issued the first of two international bailouts for Greece, which would eventually total more than €240 billion.

The bailouts came with conditions. Lenders imposed harsh austerity terms, requiring deep budget cuts and steep tax increases. They also required Greece to overhaul its economy by streamlining the government, ending tax evasion and making Greece an easier place to do business.

5. If Greece has received billions in bailouts, why has there still been a crisis?

The money was supposed to buy Greece time to stabilize its finances and quell market fears that the euro union itself could break up. While it has helped, Greece's economic problems have not gone away. The economy has shrunk by a quarter in five years, and unemployment is about 25 percent.

The bailout money mainly goes toward paying off Greece's international loans, rather than making its way into the economy. And the government still has a staggering debt load that it cannot begin to pay down unless a recovery takes hold.

The government will now need to continue putting in place deep economic overhauls required by the bailout deal Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras brokered in August, as well as the unwinding of capital controls introduced after political upheaval prompted a run on Greek banks.

Greece's relations with Europe are in a fragile state, and several of its leaders are showing impatience, unlikely to tolerate the foot-dragging of past administrations. Under the terms of the bailout, Greece must continue to pass deep-reaching overhauls, many of them measures that were supposed to have been passed years ago.

Reporting was contributed by Liz Alderman, James Kanter, Jim Yardley, Jack Ewing, Niki Kitsantonis, Suzanne Daley, Karl Russell, Andrew Higgins and Peter Eavis.

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European authorities have authorized handing 7.5 billion euros, or $8.4 billion, in bailout aid to Greece, which will allow the country to keep paying its bills in the coming months. It has also won additional pledges of debt relief, helping to ease concerns about another crisis in Greece at a time when Europe is dealing with an influx of migrants and a continuing terrorist threat.

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Grace

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Introduction to Greek architecture (article) | Khan Academy

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Tyrone and Srisatwik

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Ancient Greece - Persian, Peloponnesian, Spartan, Greek Wars

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Greek Architecture

Architecture is the art of designing and creating buildings. Greek architecture is a very specific and influential type of design, which was based off of the post-and-lintel system. The post-and-lintel system is made up of columns, which are large upright posts, with a roof, or architrave, over the top. This type of architecture began with the Greeks, but has persisted throughout the ages to live on today.

Ancient Greek Columns Facts

The Doric style is the most plain and simple.

The Ionic style is more slender and more ornate than the earlier Doric style column.

The Corinthian style is quite fancy and decorated with acanthus leaves and flowers.

Even though it may seem simple, the Greeks created a wonderful and lasting legacy of architecture. The columns and architraves were carved with leaves and flowers, scenes of battles, and mythological creatures. The columns were decorated with lines and bases, and capitals, which topped off the columns and connected them to the architraves.

These are some important terms to learn about Greek architecture:

Greek buildings were all built in a very methodical order. This means that there were many rules that they followed in order to make sure the buildings were all similar. These rules also helped to make sure that the buildings were safe and strong. Many Greek buildings were built so well that hundreds of them still exist today, even though they are thousands of years old!

The rules that Greeks used to build their buildings were precise, and said how wide the columns could be, how tall the columns could be, and how many columns a building needed. Eventually these rules became known as orders, and different types of orders developed, with different styles of architecture.

The three main Greek architectural orders are :

* Doric: The Doric order is the oldest and most simple order. The columns have no base and the columns have a very simple capital. In other words, Doric buildings were the least decorated. Archaeologists believe that Doric architectural buildings, which were built in stone, evolved from wooden buildings that were very similar.

* Ionic: The Ionic order is more decorative than the Doric. The columns are taller and thinner, and the capitals at the top of the columns are decorated with scrolls and other patterns. The bases of the columns are also decorated.

* Corinthian: The Corinthian order is a lot like the Ionic order, but the capitals are even more elaborately decorated, usually with leaves and floral patterns

Types of buildings: Besides just houses and marketplaces, Greek cities had many different types of specialized buildings. Many of these buildings can be found in most ancient Greek cities.

Temples: Temples are the most common type of public buildings in ancient Greece. The purpose of a temple was to store a religious statue. Some temples were very large, but others could be very small, depending on the size of the statue and how many people wanted to visit it. Perhaps one of the most famous of Greek temples is The Parthenon.

Stoas: Stoas were a lot like temples, but were extra long, and sometimes they were even two or three stories high. These buildings were big because they were used as large gathering places for the public, such as market places, public offices, and places where people could stroll and meet other people.

Theatres: Theatre performances and plays were a big part of Greek life, so theatres were an important part of Greek cities. Usually, they were built into a hillside, where the public could sit along the hills and watch the action. In large cities, some theatres could sit tens of thousands of people!

Assembly Hall: An assembly hall was similar to a theatre, but was much smaller. This building was used to have important town meetings.

Gymnasia: Gymnasiums are still a common part of most schools, and these buildings began with the Greeks. Parts of ancient Greek gymnasia were wrestling grounds, which were open to the outside, and running tracks. Other parts of the gymnasia were lecture halls and other smaller rooms where Greek athletes and warriors could train.

Greek architecture has had a long and important legacy in western history. Even now, people continue to copy Greek buildings, and many people go visit the ancient remains of the thousands of ancient Greek buildings still standing today.

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Ancient Greek Architecture and Columns Facts for Kids

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Architecture is the art of designing and creating buildings. Greek architecture is a very specific and influential type of design, which was based off of the post-and-lintel system. The post-and-lintel system is made up of columns, which are large upright posts, with a roof, or architrave, over the top.

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Grace

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Neoclassicism

From 1834 up to the 1920s, neoclassicism was the main architectural style in Athens. It was at that time that the city was 'outside' the borders of the historic center. Neoclassic architecture stems in the movement of the same name - neoclassicism - dominated by a return to the 'purity' and ideal of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. The idea was prevalent in Western Europe and brought to Greece via German architects, who came to Athens in the 1830s (don't forget that Greece's royal couple were from Germany) to design the new city. Even though many of the neoclassical buildings were destructed during the war period, many neighborhoods of Athens are still home to stunning examples of this style, though some remain in bad condition.

Eclecticism

In the late 19th century, Athenian neoclassicism started incorporating other stylish traits (romanticism, baroque, etc) to add to the neoclassical elements. Despite the prevalence of classic Athenian neoclassicism, many private and public buildings were built reflecting this eclectic mix of styles.

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau didn't have a major impact on Athens, though to some extent mostly among the Greek bourgeois coming from abroad - namely Egypt, Constantinople/Istanbul or Smyrna in the 1920s. The Art Nouveau-style mansions and buildings sparsely dotting the city brought a new refreshing air to Athens, and today there a number of examples left intact.

Modern Movement

The modern movement is characterized by buildings with more than 2 or 3 floors, sometimes reaching six floors. The buildings often include bays (erkers), circular and corner windows and accentuated facades. Some present modernistic architecture elements from the Bauhaus and art deco movements as well.

Post-War period

The post-war period covers roughly the 50-year span from 1950-2000. During this time, the population of Athens grew exponentially, which translated into a dire need for housing to accommodate its new citizens. It was at that time that architects started using marble on the entrances and facades of the buildings. Around 1960-1975, called the reconstruction period, a rise of impersonal architecture was seen, mostly notable in newer neighborhoods. The discovery of concrete technology and the flexible construction sector led to the construction of polikatoikia (multilevel residential buildings). More recently, architects started to construct outstanding public buildings, mostly contributing to the amalgam of old and new buildings all around the city.

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A Tour of Modern Greek Architecture in Athens

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From 1834 up to the 1920s, neoclassicism was the main architectural style in Athens. It was at that time that the city was 'outside' the borders of the historic center. Neoclassic architecture stems in the movement of the same name - neoclassicism - dominated by a return to the 'purity' and ideal of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece.

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Grace

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Neoclassical architecture , revival of Classical architecture during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The movement concerned itself with the logic of entire Classical volumes, unlike Classical revivalism ( see Greek Revival ), which tended to reuse Classical parts. Neoclassical architecture is characterized by grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, Greek-especially Doric ( see )-or Roman detail, dramatic use of columns, and a preference for blank walls. The new taste for antique simplicity represented a general reaction to the excesses of the Rococo style . Neoclassicism thrived in the United States and Europe, with examples occurring in almost every major city. Russia's Catherine II transformed St. Petersburg into an unparalleled collection of Neoclassical buildings as advanced as any contemporary French and English work. By 1800 nearly all new British architecture reflected the Neoclassical spirit ( see Robert Adam ; ). France's boldest innovator was Claude-Nicolas Ledoux , who had a central role in the evolution of Neoclassical architecture. In the United States Neoclassicism continued to flourish throughout the 19th century, as many architects looked to make the analogy between the young country and imperial Rome when designing major government buildings. The style also spread to colonial Latin America .

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Neoclassical architecture , revival of Classical architecture during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The movement concerned itself with the logic of entire Classical volumes, unlike Classical revivalism ( see Greek Revival ), which tended to reuse Classical parts.

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Wars in Ancient Greek Picture

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Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, single-handedly changed the nature of the ancient world in little more than a decade.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/alexander_the_great.shtml

From a Website

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Picture of Alexander the Great in battle

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Picture of Alexander the Great in battle

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Grace

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Kids learn about the architecture of Ancient Greece including Greek columns, temples, important elements such as the capital and the frieze, other buildings, and interesting facts.

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Tyrone and Sri

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Houses of Vasiliki and Myrtos Messara Tholoi House of Tiles at Lerna 3000 BCE Aegean Bronze Age or Early Bronze Age (3000-2000) Minoan Prepalatial or: EMIA, EMIB (3000-2600 BCE) Early Cycladic Culture (3200-2000) Early Helladic Period (3000-2000) 2600 BCE Minoan Prepalatial Period or: EMIIA, EMIIB, MMIII (2600-2000 BCE) Destruction of

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2008 Economic Crisis - precursor to Greece's Crisis

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2008 Economic Crisis - precursor to Greece's Crisis

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Stephen Simon

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The credit crunch

The global financial crisis (GFC) or global economic crisis is commonly believed to have begun in July 2007 with the credit crunch, when a loss of confidence by US investors in the value of sub-prime mortgages caused a liquidity crisis. This, in turn, resulted in the US Federal Bank injecting a large amount of capital into financial markets. By September 2008, the crisis had worsened as stock markets around the globe crashed and became highly volatile. Consumer confidence hit rock bottom as everyone tightened their belts in fear of what could lie ahead.

The sub-prime crisis and housing bubble

The housing market in the United States suffered greatly as many home owners who had taken out sub-prime loans found they were unable to meet their mortgage repayments. As the value of homes plummeted, the borrowers found themselves with negative equity. With a large number of borrowers defaulting on loans, banks were faced with a situation where the repossessed house and land was worth less on today's market than the bank had loaned out originally. The banks had a liquidity crisis on their hands, and giving and obtaining home loans became increasingly difficult as the fallout from the sub-prime lending bubble burst. This is commonly referred to as the credit crunch.

Although the housing collapse in the United States is commonly referred to as the trigger for the global financial crisis, some experts who have examined the events over the past few years, and indeed even politicians in the United States, may believe that the financial system was needed better regulation to discourage unscrupulous lending.

The global financial crisis entered a new phase

The collapse of Lehman Brothers on September 14, 2008 marked the beginning of a new phase in the global financial crisis. Governments around the world struggled to rescue giant financial institutions as the fallout from the housing and stock market collapse worsened. Many financial institutions continued to face serious liquidity issues. The Australian government announced the first of its stimulus packages aimed to jump-start the slowing economy.

The U.S. government proposed a $700 billion rescue plan, which subsequently failed to pass because some members of US Congress objected to the use of such a massive amount of taxpayer money being spent to bail out Wall Street investment bankers (who were believed by some to be one of the causes of the global financial crisis).

By September and October of 2008, people began investing heavily in gold, bonds and US dollar or Euro currency as it was seen as a safer alternative to the ailing housing or stock market.

In January of 2009 US President Obama proposed federal spending of around $1 trillion in an attempt to improve the state of the financial crisis. The Australian government also proposed another stimulus package, pledging to give cash handouts to tax payers, and spend more money on longer-term infrastructure projects.

Australia's response to the global financial crisis - the first stimulus package

Australian then-Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and then-Treasurer Wayne Swan delivered their first budget in response to the global financial crisis, with the main objective being to fight inflation - a major problem in the local economy at the time.

In October 2008 the Rudd government announced that it would guarantee bank deposits. With the economy facing a recession, an economic stimulus package worth $10.4 billion was announced. This included payments to seniors, carers and families. The payments were made in December 2008, just in time for Christmas spending, and retailers predominantly reported strong sales. The first home buyer's grant was doubled to $14,000 for existing homes, and tripled to $21,000 for new homes.

The automotive industry was also given a helping hand, as several major lenders had withdrawn from the market completely, leaving banks to fill the gaps in lending.
Further, the comparison table below may provide some valuable insight into the current products available on the market for first home buyers, sorted by comparison rate (lowest to highest). Please note that these products are based on a variable loan amount of $750,000 with a LVR of 80% in NSW.
First home buyers variable loan providers

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The crisis continued - a second stimulus package was announced

A second, even larger economic stimulus package was announced by the Australian government in February 2009, with $47 billion allocated to help boost the economy. This included:

$14.7 billion for schools

$6.6 billion for 20,000 new homes

$3.9 billion to insulate 2.7 million homes

$890 million for road repairs and infrastructure

$2.7 billion in small business tax breaks

$12.7 billion for cash bonuses: $950 for every Australian taxpayer who earned less than $80,000, to be paid out in March and April 2009

Australia in the years since the GFC began.

Many experts had commented that the Australian economy was somewhat more insulated than other countries from the sub-prime issues surrounding the United States and Australia did not suffer as badly as some nations. Nevertheless, we were not immune. Click here to read an analysis of Australia after the GFC.
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Global Financial Crisis - What caused it and how the world responded

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The global financial crisis (GFC) or global economic crisis is commonly believed to have begun in July 2007 with the credit crunch, when a loss of confidence by US investors in the value of sub-prime mortgages caused a liquidity crisis. This, in turn, resulted in the US Federal Bank injecting a large amount of capital into financial markets.

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YAY!

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War of Greek Independence, (1821-32), rebellion of Greeks within the Ottoman Empire, a struggle which resulted in the establishment of an independent kingdom of Greece.

The rebellion originated in the activities of the Philikí Etaireía ("Friendly Brotherhood"), a patriotic conspiracy founded in Odessa (now in Ukraine) in 1814. By that time the desire for some form of independence was common among Greeks of all classes, whose Hellenism, or sense of Greek nationality, had long been fostered by the Greek Orthodox Church, by the survival of the Greek language, and by the administrative arrangements of the Ottoman Empire. Their economic progress and the impact of Western revolutionary ideas further intensified their Hellenism. The revolt began in February 1821 when Alexander Ypsilantis, leader of the Etairists, crossed the Prut River into Turkish-held Moldavia with a small force of troops. Ypsilantis was soon defeated by the Turks, but, in the meantime, on March 25, 1821 (the traditional date of Greek independence), sporadic revolts against Turkish rule had broken out in the Peloponnese (Modern Greek: Pelopónnisos), in Greece north of the Gulf of Corinth (Korinthiakós), and on several islands. Within a year the rebels had gained control of the Peloponnese, and in January 1822 they declared the independence of Greece. The Turks attempted three times (1822-24) to invade the Peloponnese but were unable to retrieve the area.

Internal rivalries, however, prevented the Greeks from extending their control and from firmly consolidating their position in the Peloponnese. In 1823 civil war broke out between the guerrilla leader Theódoros Kolokotrónis and Geórgios Kountouriótis, who was head of the government that had been formed in January 1822 but that was forced to flee to the island of Hydra (Ýdra) in December 1822. After a second civil war (1824), Kountouriótis was firmly established as leader, but his government and the entire revolution were gravely threatened by the arrival of Egyptian forces, led by Ibrahim Pasha, which had been sent to aid the Turks (1825). With the support of Egyptian sea power, the Ottoman forces successfully invaded the Peloponnese; they furthermore captured Missolonghi in April 1826, the town of Athens (Athína) in August 1826, and the Athenian acropolis in June 1827.

The Greek cause, however, was saved by the intervention of the European powers. Favouring the formation of an autonomous Greek state, they offered to mediate between the Turks and the Greeks (1826 and 1827). When the Turks refused, Great Britain, France, and Russia sent their naval fleets to Navarino, where, on October 20, 1827, they destroyed the Egyptian fleet. Although this severely crippled the Ottoman forces, the war continued, complicated by the Russo-Turkish War (1828-29). A Greco-Turkish settlement was finally determined by the European powers at a conference in London; they adopted a London protocol (February 3, 1830), declaring Greece an independent monarchical state under their protection. By mid-1832 the northern frontier of the new state had been set along the line extending from south of Vólos to south of Árta; Prince Otto of Bavaria had accepted the crown, and the Turkish sultan had recognized Greek independence (Treaty of Constantinople; July 1832).

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War of Greek Independence | History, Facts, & Combatants

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War of Greek Independence (1821-32), rebellion of Greeks within the Ottoman Empire, a struggle which resulted in the establishment of an independent kingdom of Greece. The revolt began under the leadership of Alexander Ypsilantis. He was defeated, but, in the meantime, other rebels in Greece took up the cause.

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Mashia

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I'm British and currently live with my wife on Crete. Although a large island with reasonable infrastructure, it lacks facilities such as large supermarkets and DIY stores. In addition, there's a lot of specialisation and demarcation - for example you'd normally go to a pharmacy to buy a hot water bottle and don't expect a supermarket to have an integral café. So the first (and ongoing) problem is where to buy things.

Of course the most obvious problem is the language barrier. However, Crete is a tourist island so many of the locals speak fluent English. Consequently, it's possible to "get by" with zero knowledge of Greek and, indeed, many of my expat acquaintances do just that. However, I do feel sorry for them because there are times when they have a problem with their phone line, water or electricity supply and the one person in the office who speaks English is on holiday.

Apart from a few imported goods - and especially oil-based fuels - most things are cheaper here. It's certainly possible to live (frugally) on £12,000 p.a. (in 2016).

The bureaucracy is crazy and will drive YOU crazy if you want something done in a hurry. You have to learn patience. You have to be accepting of the "Greek way" of doing things. You have to realise that appointment times are usually extremely flexible. If the plumber tells you that he'll come tomorrow at 10, don't be surprised if he arrives a week later. However, it's often possible to force punctuality by asking "English time or Greek time?"

Life in general is more laid back. Despite what you might read about Greek drivers, the pace on most roads is slow. Driving is casual and many locals drive in the middle of the road to avoid overhanging branches, nails, stones and potholes; they'll move over when (if) they see you coming. However, they have little regard for "right of way" and they'll head for the narrowest of gaps without slowing.

The locals love to talk about family and politics. Be prepared to answer endless questions about your children and siblings: where do they live? What work do they do? How much pension do you get? Do you like living here? I was speaking with a local lady and she told me that her English neighbours seemed to be very nice. However, she was disappointed that they were unable to answer her questions - even simple ones about family.

Meals are often served as separate dishes. Consequently, if you order "chicken in the oven" you'll get chicken and nothing more. Ask the waiter if there's anything extra. If not and you want chips or rice, vegetables or beans with it, be sure to order them separately.

Beware the bone fragments! Butchering is not performed neatly. You can't usually buy a "cut" of meat. You'll get a random hunk of meat that has been hewn off the carcass with a cleaver. In addition, Greek butchers tend to smash the bones with a special mushroom-shaped hammer so that the marrow will be released during cooking. Meat served in tavernas may be full of gristle, fat and bones. You might need to ask for an extra plate for the inedible parts.

Most meals are cooked in oil with very little water added. This method results in very tasty meals but takes some getting used to. Greek people dislike piping hot food so it will often be barely warm. If this isn't to your liking, be prepared to explain, politely, that you prefer it hot.

Greek waiters are always willing to let you take left-over food home. You don't even need to use the dog as an excuse. Simply ask for a packet (ena paketo) and you'll be provided with an aluminium tray, if available, or a plastic bag. Such a request is taken as a sign that the food is far too good to waste and the cook will be flattered, not annoyed.

The Greek postal service is not renowned for its speed and many village houses have no name, number or even a street name. Consequently, delivery is usually made to the nearest convenient café or supermarket, from where you'll have to collect your mail. We've never had mail go permanently missing but some packages were returned-to-sender because they displayed no mobile phone number on the label. A courier doesn't have time to search for the recipient's address so a phone number is essential. Having said that, a courier once looked up our house number in the telephone directory and called us! It turned out that someone had affixed an extra label over our mobile number and obscured it. Our local postman speaks no English but, because he knows we understand Greek, he often phones us to say that he has a parcel but he won't be visiting our village till tomorrow so would we like to collect it.

Bear in mind that all of the above refers to a rural village - not a city and not the mainland. I imagine that it will be different in cities and, especially, in tourist areas. Those places will be more accustomed to "foreign ways" and will be more likely, for example, to serve a "meat & 2 veg." meal without being asked.

Greek people often acknowledge each other by a gentle nod of the head, rather than by waving. Also, they indicate "no" by raising the eyebrows and/or lifting the head slightly. "Thanks" is sometimes indicated by touching the hand to the chest. Look out for these gestures. Also, they have various spoken expressions for meeting people and for when people arrive or leave. You should learn these and use them, if you want to avoid being rude. Likewise, if someone says "efhareesto" (thanks) it must always be acknowledged with "parakalo" (please/you're welcome). However, do not over-use "thanks" - especially when being served several drinks or dishes. A slight nod of the head to acknowledge the waiter is sufficient. Wait till he says "kalee oreksee" (bon appetit, good appetite), indicating that he's brought everything you ordered, then thank him.

By the way, when someone has just finished eating, you can wish them "kalee honepsee" (good digestion).

Where we would say, for example, "I would like one of those" it is perfectly acceptable, in Greek, to say "I want one of those". It is not considered rude or impolite.

Finally, Greek people often speak LOUDLY to each other and the normal Greek intonation sounds very much like complaining or vehement arguing to the British ear. It isn't; it's just friendly banter.

I should also mention (and, again, this applies to the islands more than the mainland) that vegetables are seasonal. Where I live, it's almost impossible to get vegetables out of season without driving to a large, or specialist, supermarket to buy frozen veg. In many tavernas it's impossible to order any green vegetables at all. You might get "Vlita" (horta) in summer but it's often a choice of chips or potatoes! Broccoli, spinach, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, leek, celery and, of course, aubergines (egg plant) are available in season in many (but not all) tavernas.

Sharing meals: it's normal to order a piece of cake and share it. Likewise other dishes.

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Answer (1 of 3): I'm British and currently live with my wife on Crete. Although a large island with reasonable infrastructure, it lacks facilities such as large supermarkets and DIY stores. In addition, there's a lot of specialisation and demarcation - for example you'd normally go to a pharmacy ...

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Greek Food

Finding a great meal in ancient Greece would have been very easy. They ate a variety of delicious dishes, some of which are still around today. Most Greeks were farmers and they ate the food that they grew. Since Greece had a mild climate, they were able to grow many different fruits and vegetables as long as they got enough rain.

Vegetables were a huge part of the Greek diet. Most Greeks ate a diet that was almost vegetarian. Among the most common vegetables and plants eaten by Greeks were asparagus, fennel, cucumbers, chickpeas, and celery. They also gathered and boiled dandelions to eat. The bulbs of certain plants, such as iris, were also edible. They even ate stinging nettles!

Fruits and nuts were also a large part of the Greek diet. Apples, pears, cherries and mulberries grew wild and were available throughout Greece. Damsons, a fruit related to plums, were also a favorite of the Greeks.

Perhaps the most important food to the ancient (and modern) Greeks was the olive. It was not simply a food. It was also a big part of Greek history. Greeks believed that the goddess Athena gave the first olive tree to Athens before it eventually spread to the rest of Greece. Olives were used in many recipes. Olives were also crushed and their oil was used for lamps. Olive oil could also be used as a beauty product. Women rubbed into their skin to make it soft and shiny.

Honey was another important Greek food. It was used much like we use sugar, as a sweetener in many different foods. It could also be used as a medicine. Greeks were fond of honey because they believed that Zeus was fed milk and honey as a baby. For them, honey was almost magical. Many families kept beehives and took good care of their bees!

Ancient Greeks didn't eat much meat. But since Greece is surrounded by water, fish were easy to get. Many varieties were available in the markets. Many Greeks thought of eating meat as something that barbarians did. The Greeks believed they were more civilized than that. As a result, they hardly ate meat at all.

The way that Greeks ate was also important. Having a meal was not only about eating food. It was also a chance to talk and enjoy the company of family and friends. A Greek meal was an event! This is still the case in modern-day Greece, where dinner with friends and family may last for hours!
A typical meal in ancient Greece almost always included these things:

Bread: this was a huge part of the Greek diet. It's believed that the Greeks had between 50 and 70 different varieties of bread.

Wine: the Greeks loved it, and even had rules on how to drink it properly. Wine was especially important for the symposia, a meeting of men to talk about ideas.

Olive oil: Nearly all Greek dishes used olives, or were cooked using olive oil. Even today, Greeks consume more olives than any other country in the world.

The ancient Greeks simply made use of the foods that were available. But we now know that the Greek diet was (and still is) very healthy. The Greeks may have found the key to living longer! But if it's all the same to you, I'll skip the stinging nettles!

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Finding a great meal in ancient Greece would have been very easy. They ate a variety of delicious dishes, some of which are still around today. Most Greeks were farmers and they ate the food that they grew. Since Greece had a mild climate, they were able to grow many different fruits and vegetables as ...

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Mediterranean Architecture and Building Materials in Modern Greece 

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Mediterranean Architecture and Building Materials in Modern Greece 

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Mediterranean Architecture and Building Materials in Modern Greece Dr. Fani Vavili - Tsinika, architect, professor1, Meropi (Iro) Karantaki, student 2

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Mediterranean Architecture and Building Materials in Modern Greece Dr. Fani Vavili - Tsinika, architect, professor1, Meropi (Iro) Karantaki, student 2

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Modern Greek style homes – tradition and 

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Modern Greek style homes – tradition and 

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Modern Greek style homes reflect primarily the Mediterranean exoticism. They embody the mix of classic and traditionalism with a touch of modernity, but designed to fit the natural background against which they are built.

Made from natural materials such as stone, wood or lime, these homes have specific tiles roof, spacious terraces and long narrow windows designed to protect from sunlight. Traditionally whitewashed, white Greek houses also presents shades of blue color that fits the dominant color of the surrounding environment, namely the sea. Below we are present a few models of Modern Greek style homes:

Where else can you find traditional Greek architecture at its peak than in Santorini? The complex of villas developed by Greek designer George Alexiou was built on a mountain slope on the island so the seven modern houses have an amazing view. These very spectacular buildings were built in the traditional Cycladic architectural style and seem to be stepping down along the slope, taking the shape of the natural forms in the surrounding landscape.

Characteristic to these modern Greek style homes are the pools as central part of the whole architectural complex. In the attached images available on the website Trendir.com, the natural stone walls integrates the turquoise water swimming pool in the natural backdrop of the island.

Another example of modern Greek style homes is a villa that combines traditional charm with modern minimalism. The villa, an old residence built on volcanic rock, is now an elegant and modern hotel, but its designers chose to keep three rooms with traditional design to give the building a note of authenticity and historic touch.

Lost among olive trees and and spoiled by the Mediterranean breeze, this modern house on the island of Kea, as seen on Freshome.com, is not in a stark contrast with the traditional architectural landscape of the place, a true hybrid of old and new. Built on a terraced slope, the house has the main entrance between the terrace and the wall of the building itself. Simple in design and with a eco - friendly allure, the house is characterized by its flat roof and has a dominant position in the natural background it is placed.

At the end, we are also attaching a blueprint for one of the Modern Greek style homes as seen on www.catalogdecase.ro

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Modern Greek style homes - tradition and modernism

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Modern Greek style homes reflect primarily the Mediterranean exoticism. They embody the mix of classic and traditionalism with a touch of modernity, but designed to fit the natural background against which they are built. Made from natural materials such as stone, wood or lime, these homes have specific tiles roof, spacious terraces and long narrow windows designed to protect from sunlight.

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New architecture and design projects from Greece and the latest from Greek designers and architects

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Anisa

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Greek Architecture (c.900-27 BCE): Temples of Ancient Greece: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Orders: Column, Capital, Entablature

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Ancient Greece had a warm, dry climate, as Greece does today. Most people lived by farming, fishing and trade. Others were soldiers, scholars, scientists and artists.

Greek cities had beautiful temples with stone columns and statues, and open-air theatres where people sat to watch plays.

Most people lived in villages or in the countryside. Many Greeks were poor and life was hard, because farmland, water and timber for building were scarce. That's why many Greeks sailed off to find new lands to settle.

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What was it like to live in an ancient Greek family?

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Ancient Greece had a warm, dry climate, as Greece does today. Most people lived by farming, fishing and trade. Others were soldiers, scholars, scientists and artists. Greek cities had beautiful temples with stone columns and statues, and open-air theatres where people sat to watch plays. Most people lived in villages or in the countryside.

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"The worst is clearly behind us." Panaghiota Mourtidou pondered the words with a gravity unusual for the jovial volunteer. Even now, several days after the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, saw fit to use the phrase, she still feels somewhat bewildered. "Politicians clearly have no idea of the reality on the ground," she said. "If they did, they wouldn't make such pronouncements because, really, it couldn't be worse."

It is four years since the Guardian met Mourtidou packing food boxes at the Solidarity Club which she and other concerned citizens were running out of the local branch of Tsipras's then radical Syriza party. At the time, the leftist was an ardent fan of the only political force she truly believed could pull Greece from the depths of financial collapse.

Tsipras's promise to stamp out austerity, his raised fist and fiery rhetoric appealed to her sense of justice. In the summer of 2013 - almost 18 months before assuming power - he was "our big hope, the big promise of better days".

But the politician's volte-face, his enactment of some of the most gruelling budget cuts and tax rises since Greece's great economic crisis began, has driven a wedge through any optimism she may have had.

Today, the Solidarity Club operates not out of the party's local premises but a former grocery store up the road. Mourtidou now finds herself struggling with sentiments that veer between disappointment and rage.

"Tell me, how can anyone survive on a basic wage of €490 (£438) and still pay all the taxes they have passed?" she asks, stacking rice, pasta and pulses destined for the needy she encounters daily.

"There are 51 families who depend on us, and a lot of them feel desperate. OK, Greece has escaped bankruptcy, it has even dipped its toes in the markets again but, so what if its people have been left bankrupt in the process?"

With its brightly coloured furniture, open doors and do-good William James motto, the Solidarity Club is testimony to the endurance of Greeks under duress. Eight years on, the country's debt drama, its brutal internal deflation to avert euro exit and austerity-driven downturn, have decimated districts like this.

For the Solidarity Club stands not in one of Athens' poorer suburbs - areas where citizens have long lived on, or beneath, the bread line - but in Koukaki, the neighbourhood favoured by those who want to be close to the Acropolis but can't afford to reside on, or off, the boulevard that surrounds it.

It is in Koukaki that Chryssa Christodoulaki and her husband, Anestis, have lived for close to 50 years.

Until the outbreak of the crisis when she was compelled by crippling taxes to close her salon, the French-trained hairdresser had paid into a pension fund for almost 45 years - contributions that yielded a decent income before budget cuts whittled it away. "At first it was a fairly good pension at €1,750 a month," she recalled.

"Then it was cut to €1,430 a month and now its €960 a month," she sighed. "Anestis has suffered, too. All his life he worked in a private company only to see his own pension cut considerably."

The language of progress undone does not come naturally. In the wake of military dictatorship - and 43 years of peaceful democratic rule - life had only got better. Now the couple are no longer sure if they belong to the middle class. Hopes of spending their latter years in Crete have been dashed; so, too, have plans of a work-free retirement.

"We talk about it often," says the 68-year-old, who has private clients to make ends meet. "The middle class has certain comforts. We've become poorer and have adult children who can't find work, who don't want to go abroad and who rely on us. That's the worst. An entire generation who have only known crisis, who may never be able to find work or have a family and future."

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Graffiti in Athens: 'What's next?' Photograph: NurPhoto via Getty Images

Athens, like most urban centres, has been hardest hit by a crisis that has seen the country's economic output contract by a devastating 26%. A study by the DiaNeosis thinktank found that 15% of the population, or 1,647,703 people, in 2015 earned below the extreme poverty threshold. In 2009 that number did not exceed 2.2%. The net wealth of Greek households fell by a precipitous 40% in the same period, according to the Bank of Greece. Unemployment, austerity's most pernicious effect, hovers around 22%, by far the highest in the EU, despite a 5% drop in the last two years.

Although the worst is over in terms of fiscal adjustment, few believe Greece will be able to escape a fourth bailout even if Athens regains market access when its current EU-IMF sponsored programme ends in August next year.

"It is very difficult to see the country being able to make a clean exit [from international stewardship] and raise the sort of money it needs to refinance its debt," said Kyriakos Pierrakakis, director of research at DiaNeosis. "It will almost certainly need a new financial credit line, a bailout light, and that will come with new conditions."

In such circumstances, faith in government claims that the country has turned the corner - based as much on last week's market foray as completion of a landmark compliance review and disbursement of €8.5bn in bailout funds - is in short supply.

"Greeks can't see any light at the end of any tunnel," said Christodoulaki, shaking her head in disbelief. "They won't believe anything at this point until they see it for real in front of their eyes."

Across town in the communist party stronghold of Kaisariani, municipal authorities are already preparing for winter. In the giant 1960s concrete town hall, the social services department has lined up fundraising events, including concerts and theatre performances, to finance food donations that local stores and supermarkets can no longer afford to make. "Needs have grown exponentially," said Marilena Christodoulou, her office wall adorned with the slogan "poverty is not a crime".

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A homeless person sleeps under an image of Parthenon with the Greek flag in Athens. Photograph: NurPhoto via Getty Images

"The crisis has gone on for so long that those who could once help are also suffering. We have 367 seriously deprived people on our books and the number is rising daily."

But the pessimism spawned by pauperisation has also resulted in growing forms of solidarity. On the other side of the Acropolis in Kerameikos, the Greek Orthodox priest Father Ignatios oversees the Galini soup kitchen, an ever-expanding operation that houses the homeless, provides free dental care and study groups for children.

Those who invariably sign up for such services are the "invisible poor" - people who still have a roof over their heads but through dint of debt or joblessness cannot pay their bills. "A lot are very typically middle class who don't want to come forward, who are ashamed," he lamented. "It is getting worse. We need help, a lot more help."

From the onset of the crisis, Ignatios's crew of volunteers has cooked 350 meals a day, but with demand mounting has increasingly come to rely on donations from the country's pre-eminent food rescue organisation, Boroume.

The brainchild of Xenia Papastavrou, the group has saved and donated over 14m portions of food since its initiation in 2011. Though phenomenally successful, Papastavrou said there was no time for volunteers to let down their guard. In the four years since our last interview, the crisis has morphed into a hydra-headed monster, affecting ordinary Greeks in ways both cruel and unforeseen.

"It has come in waves," said the British-trained classicist who now heads the Giving for Greece initiative at the Bodossaki Foundation. "At every level of society a new wave presents new challenges that can only be addressed if the church, state and private sectors collaborate so that resources aren't lost, help is given where it is needed most and all these solidarity groups have the greatest possible impact."

For those affected hardest by Greece's bankruptcy ordeal, the Syriza government has been praised for providing food vouchers and rental subsidies, free school meals and hospital care for some 2.5 million uninsured.

"For the poorest of the poor Syriza has been good," said Mourtidou. "But it has not done what the vast majority hoped and that is very dangerous. Tsipras had a calming effect when he came along. There isn't another Tsipras to promise us the world and now I fear the earth could be trembling under our feet. The next choice could be the far right."

It is a common concern. Greeks have responded to loss with fortitude and resilience but a mood of uncertainty prevails. Amid the rage and disappointment many worry the power of loss could assume other more menacing forms.

"Uncertainty is the new normality," psychology professor Fotini Tsalikoglou noted. "It could manifest itself in apathy, violence, more uncertainty, we just don't know."

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Greek debt crisis: 'People can't see any light at the end of any tunnel'

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"The worst is clearly behind us." Panaghiota Mourtidou pondered the words with a gravity unusual for the jovial volunteer. Even now, several days after the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, saw fit to use the phrase, she still feels somewhat bewildered. "Politicians clearly have no idea of the reality on the ground," she said.

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Mr Kovacs also hopes that the repayment of arrears by the government to the private sector should boost confidence and investment further.

"The more significant fiscal consolidation is to a certain extent behind us, which suggests we should see some economic recovery this year," he said.

"The tourism season is looking at good indications, so yes I think it is going to happen."

"The big question is how big the recovery in investment spending could be - it would be the signal for a more sustained recovery."

Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's upgraded the outlook on Greece's B-minus credit rating to "positive" in a move which will boost the government's confidence as it looks to return to the bond markets.

"We believe recovering economic growth, alongside legislated fiscal reforms and further debt relief, should enable Greece to reduce its general government debt-to-GDP ratio and debt servicing costs through 2020," said S&P.

Athens is seeking to raising fresh cash from the private sector for the first time in three years. A careful first step back into the markets indicates that the government believes its own finances are getting back on track, and that private investors may be prepared to trust it once more.

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Greece on brink of return to sustainable growth, economists believe

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Mr Kovacs also hopes that the repayment of arrears by the government to the private sector should boost confidence and investment further. "The more significant fiscal consolidation is to a certain extent behind us, which suggests we should see some economic recovery this year," he said.

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Stephen

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Mr Kovacs also hopes that the repayment of arrears by the government to the private sector should boost confidence and investment further.

"The more significant fiscal consolidation is to a certain extent behind us, which suggests we should see some economic recovery this year," he said.

"The tourism season is looking at good indications, so yes I think it is going to happen."

"The big question is how big the recovery in investment spending could be - it would be the signal for a more sustained recovery."

Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's upgraded the outlook on Greece's B-minus credit rating to "positive" in a move which will boost the government's confidence as it looks to return to the bond markets.

"We believe recovering economic growth, alongside legislated fiscal reforms and further debt relief, should enable Greece to reduce its general government debt-to-GDP ratio and debt servicing costs through 2020," said S&P.

Athens is seeking to raising fresh cash from the private sector for the first time in three years. A careful first step back into the markets indicates that the government believes its own finances are getting back on track, and that private investors may be prepared to trust it once more.

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Greece on brink of return to sustainable growth, economists believe

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Mr Kovacs also hopes that the repayment of arrears by the government to the private sector should boost confidence and investment further. "The more significant fiscal consolidation is to a certain extent behind us, which suggests we should see some economic recovery this year," he said.

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What did the ancient Greeks eat? I'm asked this question a lot, and I always seem to learn something new when I answer it.

I love doing research about ancient people and their foods. It's cool to think that Plato or Aristotle might also have enjoyed what I may be eating now. Some foods, like pasteli, have undoubtedly been around a long time, but we may never know for sure about others unless they happen to require ingredients we know the ancient Greeks just didn't have access to.

Imagine going your whole life without ever eating a tomato.

So what foods were available to the ancient Greeks? How and what did they eat? They ate like us. They had three meals a day. They woke and ate breakfast, they broke from work at midday for lunch, then they ended the day with dinner and perhaps a little dessert.

Breakfasts of the Ancient Greeks

Most ancient Greeks had the same thing for breakfast: bread dipped in wine. The bread was made from barley, the main source of all breads in ancient times. It was probably hard, so the wine would soften it up and make it easier to eat. Sure, they could have used water, but where's the fun in that?

The Greeks also ate something called a teganites (τηγανίτης), which would have resembled a pancake. These were made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey and curdled milk. They were usually topped with honey or cheese.

Lunchtime for the Greeks

They had more of that bread and wine!

What a surprise! But they were drinking a bit more of the wine. Lunch was considered a midday snack, so it was common for the Greeks to dine on relatively light things like figs, salted fish, cheeses, olives and more bread.

Time for Dinner

Dinner was and still is the most important meal of the day in Greece.

In ancient times, it was when everyone would gather with friends and perhaps discuss things like philosophy or maybe just daily events. Note that I said "friends," not "family." Men and women normally ate separately. If a family had slaves, they would serve the men dinner first, then the women, then themselves. If the family didn't have slaves, the women of the house served the men first, then they ate themselves when the men were done.

Dinner was when most of the foods were consumed. The ancient Greeks would eat eggs from quail and hens, fish, legumes, olives, cheeses, breads, figs and any vegetables they could grow. They might include arugula, asparagus, cabbage, carrots and cucumbers. Meat was reserved for the wealthy.

About That Wine

Wine was the main drink of the ancient Greeks, other than water. Fetching the water was a daily task for the women of the house.

The Greeks drank wine at all meals and during the day. We know they made red, white, rose and port wines, the main areas of production being Thasos, Lesbos and Chios. But the ancient Greeks didn't drink their wine straight. It was considered barbaric to do so. All wine was cut with water. The Greeks drank for the pleasure of the beverage, not with the intention of getting drunk.

They also drank kykeon (κυκεών), a combination of barley gruel, water (or wine), herbs and goat cheese in an almost shake-like consistency.

Top It All Off With Dessert

Raw sugar was unknown to the ancient Greeks, so honey was the main sweetener. Cheeses, figs or olives drizzled with honey provided a typical ending to an evening meal.

The Spartans

A lot of people wonder what the Spartans ate. Frankly, their diet was terrible. The Spartans were trained warriors, but their food left a lot to be desired. They ate something called melas zomos (μέλας ζωμός) - black soup in English. It was made by boiling some pigs' legs, blood, salt and vinegar. Yum.

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Eat Like an Ancient Greek -- Learn About Their Meals

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What did the ancient Greeks eat? I'm asked this question a lot, and I always seem to learn something new when I answer it. I love doing research about ancient people and their foods. It's cool to think that Plato or Aristotle might also have enjoyed what I may be eating now.

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Anisa

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Analysis of Important Themes in Greek Architecture

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Links and information on Ancient Greece: history, mythology, art and architecture, olympics, wars, people, geography, etc...

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Koulourakia recipe (Greek Easter cookies)

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Koulourakia recipe (Greek Easter cookies)

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Hebe

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The fluffiest and crunchiest Greek Easter cookies (koulourakia) you have ever tasted! These sweet little Greek Easter cookies are super quick to bake, so much fun to make and highly addictive to eat! So consider yourself warned 🙂 This easy to follow traditional Greek koulourakia recipe makes 90 of these delicious festive Greek Easter cookies, plenty for everyone to try. And best of all? Have fun with the whole family kneading the koulourakia into braids, boats, little 'S's just like in the photos below! Serve over a hot cup of coffee and you have a match made in heaven...

Greek Koulourakia recipe - A delicious Greek Easter tradition

As most holidays in Greece revolve around food, Greek Easter is no exception! These are the days when households are preparing delicious meals for the Easter Sunday and making all these delicious traditional Greek recipes, like lamb, kontosouvli, magiritsa, dyed Greek Easter eggs, tsoureki and of course these amazing Greek Easter cookies (koulourakia). Greek koulourakia recipes are characterised by a butter base, shiny egg glaze (which makes them beautifully golden brown) and various rising agents to make them fluffy and airy. Nowadays most koulourakia recipes call for baking powder and baking soda, but experience has shown me that nothing compares to the traditional koulourakia recipe, which calls for baking ammonia. Ammonia makes the koulourakia amazingly airy and crunchy and compared to other rising agents, the crispness will last longer. This is an old fashioned traditional Greek koulourakia recipe for you to recreate this delicious traditional delight from scratch! Oh and you can always read this delicious recipe in Greek here Αφράτα Πασχαλινά κουλουράκια με αμμωνία.

Ingredients

250g butter (8.8 oz.)

1 1/2 cup sugar

25g powdered baking ammonia (1 and a half tea spoons)

1/2 cup lukewarm milk

4 medium eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

zest of 2 oranges

1kg all-purpose flour (35 oz.)

2 egg yolks and 1 tbsp water for glazing the koulourakia

Instructions

1. To prepare this traditional koulourakia recipe, start by mixing the butter and sugar. In a mixer's bowl add the sugar and butter (chopped) and mix for about 10-15 minutes, until the butter is creamy and fluffy. (Once starting to prepare this koulourakia recipe, make sure that the butter is at room temperature).

2. In the meantime warm the milk until lukewarm and remove the pot from the heat. Add the ammonia and blend until dissolved. Set aside.

3. Add the eggs (in the butter-sugar) mixture one at a time, whilst mixing, allowing time for each one to be absorbed, before adding another. Pour in the the vanilla extract, the orange zest and milk (with the ammonia) and mix to combine. Add the flour, a little bit at a time, whilst mixing, until the ingredients are combined and the dough is soft and not too sticky.

4. Cover the dough for the koulourakia with some plastic wrap and set aside to rest for 20 minutes.

5. Place the dough for the koulourakia on a clean working surface, take a small piece of dough and form long cords. Shape the koulourakia with your hands, giving them any shape you like. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and place the koulourakia, leaving some distance between them as they will rise a lot when baked. (For this koulourakia recipe, you will need approx. 4-5 large baking trays, depending on the size of the cookies)

6. In a small bowl add the egg yolks and 1 tbsp water and whisk with a fork. Brush the top of the koulourakia and bake in preheated oven at 200C for 15 minutes, until nicely coloured.

7. Let the koulourakia cool down completely and store in airtight containers for up to three weeks.

Recipe image gallery:

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Koulourakia recipe (Greek Easter cookies) - My Greek Dish

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The fluffiest and crunchiest traditional Greek Easter cookies (koulourakia) you have ever tried! These sweet little Greek Easter cookies are super quick to bake, so much fun to make and highly addictive to eat! Discover how to bake them to perfection with this traditional Greek recipe here...

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Mashia

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Education in Ancient Greece - Ancient Greece for Kids

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Spartan girls also learned to be warriors. Their school was not as brutal, but all girls in ancient Sparta could wrestle and fist fight and handle a weapon. They were taught how to kill. The Spartans believed that strong women produced strong babies.

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https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/apr24/fall-troy/