Just How 'Greek' Was The Byzantine Empire???

Soldier of Macedon · 12-27-2008, 01:49 AM

No probs mate. Now back to the topic at hand, what do you think about what I wrote with regard to Basil I? Can we find anything that provides an Armenian link other than the created lineage already mentioned? It would be good if we could narrow it down to the most accurate assessment.

Napoleon · 12-27-2008, 01:06 AM

I didn't pick the avatar on Maknews...it was just given to me as I used somebody elses unknowingly and then they changed it to that one. Shit, I did not even know that was Dusan until you told me now...thanks

I have no Serb ancestory whatsoever.

Soldier of Macedon · 12-27-2008, 12:48 AM

Hehe, I was talking about the one you use on the other forum mate, of Stefan Dusan?

Napoleon · 12-27-2008, 12:44 AM

The avatar that I've chosen is of Napoleon Perdis...the Greek Austrlian women's make-up and cosmetics tycoon of Australia. I though it would be a bit of a laugh...check out the following;

YouTube - Napoleon Perdis on 9am with David and Kim (Part 1)

Soldier of Macedon · 12-26-2008, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by Napoleon

Although the founder of the Macedonian dynasty Basil was born in Macedonia, there is no doubt that he was of Armenian heritage.

Basil I - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_I#cite_note-0

Basil was born to Armenian parents in 811 in the Byzantine theme of Macedonia (an administrative division corresponding to the area of Adrianople in Thrace).[1] While one source has claimed him to be of Slavic decent, such assumptions have been dismissed as fiction by the scholarly world.[2] The sole foundation of the Slavonic theory is that Arabic writers designate him as a Slav; this is explained by the Arabic view that all Macedonians were Slavs.[3] Basil's first language was Armenian and spoke Greek with a heavy accent.[4]

The Arabic citation is dismissed on account of the fact that Arabic writers tended to consider all Macedonians as Slavs. The 'Slav' terminology aside, why would that deem it inaccurate in a linguistic sense? The people and the language were present in Macedonia proper and the Macedonia Theme.

Church and state supported one another and it was during Basil's reign as emperor that Photios created a genealogy tree that purported that Basil's ancestors were not mere peasants as everyone believed but descendants of the Arshakuni kings of Armenia.[6] Members of the Macedonian dynasty would gone to use this tree to claim their descendance from King Tiridates III of Armenia.

Apart from the created genealogy by Photios, whereby the peasant Basil is proclaimed as a descendant of Trdat III, the Armenian king that established Christianity as the Armenian state religion 580 years before his their time (which sounds similar to the story with Alexander 'Philhellene' and his quest for a glorious ancestry via the assistance of Herodotus), what other evidence is there of the Armenian origins of Basil? George Ostrogorski doubts both the native Macedonian origins of Basil and a connection to the Armenians, saying it "is also far from certain that he was of Armenian extraction, as is usually assumed.........."

Originally posted by Napoleon

As for your other question, yes I do have some Macedonian heritage although I'm ashamed to say I can't speak the language very well.

Nothing to be ashamed of, try and pick up a few words here and there when you can, even that is enough. I remember from time to time you would post some interesting information, but I don't recall much discussions, what else is your background? I thought it may have been part Serb because of the other avatar that you use?

Napoleon · 12-26-2008, 10:04 PM

Hi SOM

Although the founder of the Macedonian dynasty Basil was born in Macedonia, there is no doubt that he was of Armenian heritage. Despite this, you are correct, there would have been a lot of intermarriage going on with the local Macedonian population so that in all probability, they became more Macedonian then anything else in a very short time, hence the name 'Macedonian dynasty'.

As for your other question, yes I do have some Macedonian heritage although I'm ashamed to say I can't speak the language very well.

Soldier of Macedon · 12-26-2008, 09:00 PM

Thanks for the list Napoleon, very comprehensive, however I think the Macedonian Dynasty needs to be looked at a little closer. There are other sources which speak of them as local Slavic-speakers from Macedonia or the Macedonia Theme. My personal belief is that they are a mix of Armenians and Slavic-speakers, as in these regions were settled thousands of Armenians by past East Roman Emperors, the same may be said of the heritage of Tsar Samuel.

Not that it makes a difference, but just a quick question and excuse my ignorance, are you Macedonian? I know you've been around a while so apologies if you are and for probing so late.

Napoleon · 12-26-2008, 08:42 PM

My motivation for posting this again was due to a conversation with a modern 'Greek' that I had recently. Both his parent originated from the island of Symi just off the Turkish coast yet he had a tattoo of a ancient Spartan with the words 'Molon Labia" right across his back which he was very proud of. He was bragging about his great 'Greek' Byzantine heritage and how much he wanted to take Istanbul back from the Turks. He was also bitching about how the 'boxheads' were trying to steal his 'Macedonian' heritage from him as well.

Some of these modern Greeks are truelly a dilusional bunch, bereft of reality.

Daskalot · 12-26-2008, 08:19 PM

bravo, very good! Bring us more!!!

Just How 'Greek' Was The Byzantine Empire???

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment:

Just How 'Greek' Was The Byzantine Empire???