Modern Greek Enlightenment

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The Modern Greek Enlightenment (also known as the Neo-Hellenic Enlightenment;^[1] Greek: Διαφωτισμός, Diafotismós / Νεοελληνικός Διαφωτισμός, Neoellinikós Diafotismós) was the Greek expression of the Age of Enlightenment, characterized by an intellectual and philosophical movement within the Greek community. At this time, many Greeks were dispersed across the Ottoman Empire, with some residing on the Ionian Islands, in Venice, and other parts of Italy. Leonardos Philaras, one of the early advocates for Greek independence, played a significant role before the movement truly gained momentum following his death.

Throughout the Ottoman Empire, Greeks frequently participated in uprisings. Many Greeks living in Venice fought for the Venetian Empire against the Ottomans. Notable Greek painters in Venice who took part in these conflicts included Victor (painter), Philotheos Skoufos, and Panagiotis Doxaras.^[2][3] During the Modern Greek Enlightenment, Greek painting underwent a significant transformation. The traditional Byzantine-Venetian style, which had been dominant in the Cretan School, began to wane in favor of the Heptanese School's new approach. Painters like Doxaras pioneered this shift, moving away from the egg tempera technique and embracing oil painting, thus revolutionizing Greek art.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

The educational center for the Greek community was Italy where many of the priests were educated and the leadership of the Rum Millet was controlled by Orthodox Christian priests. The education of the Greek community was subjugated by a strict observance of Korydalism which was taught by priests and sanctioned by the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Korydalism was created by Theophilos Corydalleus and it followed Aristotle and Plato's secular philosophical teachings.^[9] A central figure in the schism from Korydalism was Methodios Anthrakites who fought to introduce updated European philosophical thought to Greek education. He was persecuted in Constantinople by the church fathers and a debate ensued among Greek scholars during the later part of the 18th century to change education. Nonetheless, Greek priest and astronomer Chrysanthus of Jerusalem had an active relationship with Giovanni Domenico Cassini.^[10][11][12]

The American War of Independence sent shockwaves throughout the world and most people demanded liberty or death. Between the date of American independence and the dawn of the Greek War of Independence roughly eleven countries fought for independence beginning with the French War of Independence and eventually The Pamphlet of Rigas Feraios was published in 1797. The pamphlet was an instrument to awaken Greek national consciousness which led to the Greek War of Independence. Another important pamphlet was Hellenic Nomarchy published in 1806 and advocated the ideals of freedom, social justice, and social equality for the Greek people. By 1814, the Filiki Eteria (Society of Friends) formed in Odessa, whose purpose was to overthrow the Ottoman rule of Greece and establish an independent Greek State. Another society called the Philomuse Society was formed with the aim of educating the Greeks and promoting philhellenism.^[13]

Eventually, the Greek community fought in the Greek War of Independence for roughly nine years. By the 1830s, the enlightenment struggle continued and the Greek community established a state that was still overshadowed by Orthodox ecclesiastical aristocracy. Orthodox priest Neophytos Vamvas was the dean of the scientific and philosophical school of Athens. Eventually for the proliferation of the people a secular state was preferred and Otto of Greece was elected King. Greek academics studied in Germany and France and a German educational system was implemented in Greece. The major new architecture of Athens was Neoclassical in nature and was a defining characteristic of the Greek Enlightenment and Greek painters represented the Munich School. The Enlightenment movement continued with news of continued Greek oppression among the Greek community living in the Ottoman Empire.^[14][15]

Regrettably, slavery still overshadowed the Greek people living in the empire. The Greek slave movement began in the United States with Garafilia Mohalbi and people learned about the horrors of Greek slavery.^[16][17] Eventually Hiram Powers sculpted The Greek Slave statue which was exhibited all over the world. The Dance of Zalongo also became a popular movement in art during the Greek Enlightenment and reminded people of the mass suicide of roughly 60 women and children from a cliff in Zalongo in 1803 to avoid capture, enslavement, rape and lifelong torture by Ottoman forces during the Souliote War (1803). The Ottomans implemented the Tanzimat reforms to slow nationalistic sentiment but Greek oppression continued until they were fully liberated and wars ensued for over 100 years. Rhodes, together with the other islands of the Dodecanese, were united with Greece in February 1947.