Why do Greeks fight with Macedonians about...?

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Jason

I don't think you could define Alexander the Great as a dictator, actually I'm quite surprised you perceive him in such a way, and that makes me think a lot, anyway, the difference between a dictator and a strong charismatic leader was very subtle in those years.
Of course if you want to conquer half Asia and Middle East you cannot do it in a peaceful manner. And again, your example with Hitler does not fit at all. Alexander didn't commit genocides, and wasn't a racist in the first place. The only thing some historians blame him, is a feeling of Hellenic superiority towards the foreign populations, but for this Aristotle is to blame, his teacher.
Greeks fight because they see their 2000 year old history suddenly stolen. All people in this world - me too, as I'm studying abroad - learn that Alexander spoke Greek, that he was so proud of being Hellenic, that spread Hellenism in Asia, Middle East, Northern Africa, even in India. And all of a sudden a country born from the breakdown of communist Yugoslavia starts calling itself Macedonia. Actually there is not even a geographic reason to do so, since the three most important cities of the ancient Macedonian kingdom are all of them in Greece (Pella, Edhessa and Philippoi).
The Macedonian kingdom was considered Greek in the ancient times too, the only thing that other Greeks disliked about it, is that it hadn't the form of government all the rest of Greece seemed to like so much: the City State. Furthermore, it is typical of every society, every Country to have some sort of regional pride. In Italy for example, some Northern Italians 'hate' Southern Italians, calling them criminals, thugs, etc. Does this mean Southern Italy is not part of Italy? Not at all, as it has culture, language, religion, literature, and so many things in common with the rest of Italy.
Now the Athenian, Corinthian, Theban or Spartan Greeks did not hate Macedonian Greeks more than they hated each other. Ever heard of the Peloponnesian War? Athens and Sparta fought each other for years. By the way Macedonia fought those wars too, as it was an ally with Sparta.
How can you explain the fact that Philip Macedon II formed the Hellenic League then?
Moreover, the Macedonian kingdom regularly took part in the Olympic Games, together with all other Greek States. Only to Greeks it was possible to participate in those athletic competitions, as they were in honour of Zeus and other Greek Gods.
Of course I am not going to talk about the names of Kings, you probably already know Philip and Alexander are Greek names and have a meaning in Greek. Likewise, Macedonia shared the same religion, language, literature and philosophy with the rest of Greece, but I am not going further into the matter.
I hope my brief insight into Greek history helped you to understand something more about the 'Alexander issue', if you have any questions, feel free to ask me, even by email.

Crogiolo dei Mondi

You are describing Alexander the Great from a modern point of view, but I think that it's quite hard to draw a parallel between the age of Alexander and the ours... You should consider that personality in the context of the Hellenic society in which he lived...

Anyway, I think they are fighting for the truth's sake which leaves aside the fact that Alexander was a good or bad person...

---

I'm not an historian, and my knowledge about the Greek history is quite rusty, to be honest; however, every society from every historic period had some enemies due to many reasons: different and contrasting ideologies, economical reasons and other... If you are so interested, you could read some history books about that topic...

Sotiria

We don't fight with Macedonians we fight with F.Y.R.O.Mians
Learn your lesson better -
1. See a map first
2. Study History
Because
1. You make us laugh with those things you write
2. You make us a sad because in 2009 there are still people are not educated...very sad.....
3. If you want intelligent answers make serious and smart questions
Depending from your level of questions and yours you get answers
Otherwise it will be so hard for you to understand us....
MACEDONIA IS GREECE
COMPARISON ALEXANDER WITH HITLER FAILED!!
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IMPRESSION TO YOUR FYROMIAN BOYFRIEND THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!!

Speedy Gonzalez loukoumadez

Well Alexander was a great conqueror and he was nothing like Hitler!!! Honestly I hate Hitler but I am proud of Alexander, I have learned a lot about him in Greekschool.

And Kiro is right. You shouldnt get involved with the Balkan's fight.

And so what if Alexander could have possibly been bisexual? Do you know how many bisexual people there are in this world? and I'm pretty sure that ancient Greece wasnt the only place in the world that had bisexual people. They were just brave enough to show it. And you know why? because Greeks are brave and they have nothing to be worried about!! They were too cool for all the other nations that where jealous of them.

well Kiro isnt Greek anyway.

Emily™

Agree with Kiro.
Alexander the Great was a conqueror in a different time.
Hitler has nothing in common with him.
Yes we fight with the Fakedonians because they have big clue of themselves.
They are Yugoslavians not Macedonians.

Doctrine Man

I do know that my answer will stir up this community.
I have but the right to tell the truth in the way I see it and express my opinion in the free manner.

First of all, I am not the enemy of Greece or the Greek people.
And now to the question.

The Greeks do fight with F.Y.R.O.M.- because they love to fight.
Daily little skirmishes, arguments and quarrels are the air, water, salt and bread needed for life.
They longing for it like a baby for its mums milk.

They do not like big wars, but they can't live happy life without the little ones.
Just look in the history, look at their glorious past.
There was not a decade in the history of Greece of total peace and/or "love thy neighbour" experience.

They do quarrel in their shops, Greek clubs, Greek coffee lounges,- they even do it in their Churches.

It is in their blood - they love it - and it gives them this nice colorit and unique stand out of the crowd.
You can tell Greek person (most of the time) just by closer observation.

They do love to argue for the love of arguments.
Big thing in their benefit is - they not using physical force or violence.
Just big words and big hand language and time to time some juicy ones too.

It is just my opinion, so please do no crucify me for it. Cheerio

♥AngeliC spirit♥

I will fight to Death for the History and Freedom of my GLORIOUS country and i will let NOONE to steal and distort our History....as you can see we GREEKS get united in things like that~

Vasiliki-Βασιλική

Since the only racist here I can see is you (You folks are the reason why foreigners see Balkans in such a bad light)
I ll now answer to your question:

-You cannot explain something that took place almost 2500 years ago with a modern logic and mind.The society back then was different than now.
-The problem with the dispute is not Alexander.Is the cultural heritage of a country and the try of another new-born country to present it as their.
Alexander, (with a good or bad way, this is your point of view) through his conquests spread the Hellenic coulture.
There are still cities made because of him, full with the Greek element and the ancient Greek culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Alexandria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_of_the_Caucasus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_on_the_Oxus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_Eschate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merv
-Other than history, where I can make such a long post to give you all the info you need to see the truth, the problem don't lies only in Alexander or the name.A big part of the problem,is that the nothern neighbors are constantly flirting with Greece's territories, trying in every way to get involved to Greece's internal politics,they named their country with exactly the same name with a province that they border, they teach in their schools that the Greek region of Macedonia is theirs (making nationalism their second nature), they are defacing Greece's falg,etc,etc

Sweety12

"Ela ..." make love not war!!!:)...like Bulgarian girl with Corfu boy!:):)

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