Modrern Divisions of old Ancient Countries

[kenny]

Companions Hi I read with great interest with the difference of attitude towards Alexander as we near modern Iran Iraq.Im just wondering where the line is drawn between good talk of Alexander then the negative.And basically just how united or un united are the modern Arab nations that all seem in unison with the iniversal hatred of Israel.I just try to understand the maintallity of the brotherhood of Arab nations now and the nations of Alexander,,, Where the peoples of those days Arabs or something else forgive my ignorance,,, Love was for Alexander in Egypt and I would still say it is,,, Im just wondering where and how the shipts developed from a society that was and is and maybe I could assume that iranians attitude towards Alexander today has nothing at all to do with the Persians of Alexanders day are they the same I would think not.I hope this thread makes sense.Kenny

[nick]

Hi Kenny -Don't apologize. This is one of the best questions ever.Muslim rule over the Middle East started after 632 A.D., the year the prophet Muhammed died. Muslim faith and Arab dominance spread from down south, from Makkah and Medina (now in Saudi-Arabia). Mind you - this was 1000 years after Alexander. In the days of Alexander the Arabian world started once one entered the sandy deserts south of Babylonia, Syria and Assyria. The lands conquered by Alexander were NOT yet incorporated within the Arab world as we would see that today. They were still the homelands of Babylonians, Syrians or Assyrians --- but not of (modern) Arabs.The same would go for Asia Minor (present day Turkey). In Alexander's days Turkey was populated by a kaleidoscope of peoples: Carians, Paphlagonians, Cilicians, Mysians, Phrygians... and a dozen more. They did not share the common etnic identity of the present population. The Turkish peoples moved in at around 1000 A.D. (roughly - - - don't blame me for being not that accurate).So, in general, don't confuse the present peoples of the Near East with those living there during Alexander's age.Regards -Nick

[stavros]

hiif you dont mind me adding? Asia Minor (Turkey today) was full of Greeks during the ancient epoch and up until 1922. Ethnic Cleansing of Greeks from Asia Minor realistically came to an end 40 years ago. But then you have Cyprus in 1974. cheersStavros

[marcus]

On the subject of Turkey - when I last went there, back in 1988, I spent a few days hitch-hiking along the Black Sea coast from Trabzon to (can't remember where - but it was about half way along). It was amazing to see how fair so many of the people were (particularly the women, interestingly enough) - loads of redheads and even (natural) blondes (at least they looked natural). A real ethnic mix - probably Galatian as well as 'Greek' and 'Roman' stock!All the bestMarcus

[stavros]

For sure. Apparently there are Greeks in Turkey today who hide their true nationality, especially in cities along the Black Sea, once Greek cities up until 80 years ago.Trabzon?? could possibly be, the then Greek city of Trapezounta, a Pontian city along the black sea. im unfimiliar with names of some of the cities in modern day Asia Minor but know that some cities have there names derived from Greek. cheersStavros