MEGALI IDEA Meaning and
Definition
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Megali Idea, spelled as Μεγάλη Ιδέα in Greek, translates to "Great Idea" in English. It was a concept prominent in the history of Greece in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Megali Idea refers to the nationalistic and irredentist belief that Greece should expand its territories and achieve its historical boundaries, encompassing regions with a significant Greek population that were formerly part of the Byzantine Empire.
This idea gained momentum during the early 19th century, especially after Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. Supporters of the Megali Idea saw it as an opportunity to restore the glory of the Byzantine Empire, which was considered the embodiment of Greek civilization and Orthodox Christianity. They believed that all land inhabited by ethnic Greeks should be unified under a single Greek state.
The Megali Idea was closely associated with the Greek independence movement and the political aspirations of Greek nationalists. It became a common rallying cry for Greek politicians and intellectuals during this period. The idea fueled expansionist policies and territorial claims, particularly towards the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, and areas in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
In practice, the Megali Idea did not fully materialize, but it had a significant impact on Greek politics and shaped the country's national identity. It influenced territorial disputes and conflicts in the region, including the Balkan Wars and the Greco-Turkish War. While the idea remains an important part of Greek history and culture, its significance has evolved over time, with a stronger emphasis on self-determination and the protection of Greek communities worldwide.
Etymology of MEGALI IDEA
The term "Megali Idea" (or "Megali Ideologia" in Greek) is derived from the Greek words "méga" meaning "great" or "big", and "ídeā" meaning "idea" or "concept". Combining these words together, "Megali Idea" translates to "Great Idea" or "Great Concept" in English.
The term was primarily used to refer to the 19th-century Greek nationalistic and irredentist policy seeking to reclaim territories with significant Greek populations outside the borders of the newly established Greek state. It aimed to reestablish the Byzantine Empire and unite all historical Greek lands, including regions in modern-day Turkey, Bulgaria, Albania, and parts of southern Italy.
The phrase was first used in the context of Greek nationalism in the early 1840s by the Greek journalist Ioannis Kokkinidis.
