Chapter 11 Greece and the Middle East Geographic Overview Peloponnesus Peninsula extending off the southwestern region of greece Bosporus Narrow channel that separates Europe from Asia between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea near their coasts Greece western Turkey Lebanon Syria and Israel have a climate moderated by the Mediterranean sea but the rest of the Middle East has very hot summers except in the mountainous regions agriculture is difficult to grow Some livestock like cattle and sheep are grown in this area The Levant is the geographic region and culture zone of the eastern Mediterranean littoral between Anatolia and Egypt Includes Syria Lebanon Israel and Jordan Agriculture Greece more than half the land in Greece does not support vegetation despite this they are able to produce most of their own food and even export some wheat corn and rice are the cereal crops grapes and olives are important crops olive oil is used generously in cooking citrus fruits are also suitable in this climate The Levant water is scarce so agriculture is possible where there is irrigation primary livestock is sheep corn fruit tobacco and nuts are grown along the plains facing the black sea grapes figs olives cotton and tobacco in quantities adequate for exporting are grown along the Agean Sea History and Culture Greece has a long and complicated history was invaded by the Persians and later the Romans followed by the Goths Franks Venetians Crusaders and the Ottomans Turkey and the Levant Hittites Civilization occupying parts of Turkey and Syria to Mesopotamia for more than 4 centuries ending in about 1200 BCE Turkey also experienced conquests resulting in changes from largely Christian to predominantly Muslim The Seljuks muslim captured Byzantium which caused Pope Urban II to call for a Crusade to liberate the region from what he viewed to be infidels Subsequently 3 other crusade passed through Turkey Then came the Mongols the Ottomans then seized power and were replaced at the end of WWI and Ataturk established the modern state of Turkey Trade Impact Trade routes have extended across these several lands since before the time of Christ Phoenicians people living in Lebanon who sailed extensively to trade with many other regions by 1000 BCE Byzantine Empire Eastern part of the former Roman Empire powerful for almost and millennium 129 BCE 1071 CE Byzantium Early name for the city once called Constantinople but now called Istanbul Ottoman Empire Large empire centered in Turkey that ruled for more than 600 years ending after WWI Religious Impact on the Levant religion has played a significant role in shaping the history of the Middle East for centuries Greek Orthodoxy religion varies considerably in Greece Turkey and the countries of the Levant Greece is almost entirely a nation of Greek Orthodoxy In Turkey most of the Muslims are Sunnis follow the Hadith some Muslims in Turkey are Shiite Muslims pay special attention to Ali the son in law of Muhammad Turkey is broad minded in its expectations for practicing Muslims women aren t required to cover their heads and some drink alcohol even though alcohol is prohibited in Islam Sufism type of Islam focuses on the mystical interpretation of Islam Judaism the first of the major religions practiced in the Levant Jews were not allowed to practice under the Romans Judaism is the state religion of current day Israel Islam Muslims conquered the Byzantine empire which had been Christian Palestinians eventually gained their own nation Lebanon is functioning again but political and religious tensions remain high throughout the Levant today Architecture of the Levant architectural structures some standing and some in ruins are prominent in this region of the world examples are the parthenon and other structures on the acropolis in Athens Hagia Sophia huge domed church built by emperor Justinian for Christians and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul The Treasury in Petra Jordan and such palaces as the ruins at Persepolis in Iran and the Topkapi Palace and the Dolmabache Palace in Istanbul Art Most famous art by the Greeks are the Elgin Marbles Istanbul features both mosques and palaces Music and art from these regions are gradually becoming known in the Western world Israel s klezmer music is probably the most familiar type of music from this region The Greeks use the Greek alphabet while many other countries in this region rely on Arabic script and Jews use Hebrew makes communication difficult Holidays holidays are celebrated mainly as religious remmebrances Vassilopita Rich sweet bread containing a good luck coin to celebrate the New Year Greece celebrates the Feast of St Basil to celebrate the New Year Food Patterns abundance of foods such as mutton olives eggplant onions and other vegetables wheat legumes and lamb Mezze small portions of traditional dishes served together in very small amounts as an appetizer course or even as a meal in Greece the Middle East and North Africa the major cause for differences is the particular religion practiced in a country In other countries except Greece Muslim and Jewish dietary laws play an important role typical light breakfast early in the morning tea and a baked item hearty lunch and a later supper snacking is an acceptable way to stretch the time between meals Pita pocket bread that is common throughout the Middle East Lavosh armenian cracker bread basically a very thin version of pita without a pocket Phyllo extremely thin dough that is formed into large sheets and serves as the main ingredient for desserts and some main dishes Baklava baked dessert made of multiple layers of phyllo brushed with butter honey or rosewater or both and nuts Spanakopita main dish consisting of many layer of phyllo spinach and various other ingredients according to taste Falafel dish made by creating a paste of soaked chickpeas and seasonings shaping into balls or other forms and frying in deep fat Hummus dip made from pureed cooked chickpeas tahini lemon juice garlic and olive oil Tahini paste or finely ground sesame seeds sesame oil and lemon juice Foul fool mixture of cooked chickpeas and black or broad beans that have been soaked together for at least two days before being cooked served with topping of garlic olive oil lemon tomato and cilantro Bulgur partially cooked and dried cracked wheat Kibbeh deep fat fried egg shaped shell of finely minced lamb and cracked wheat paste encasing a filling of another meat Tabouli salad containing soaked
View Full Document
Unlocking...