The History of Greeks in Turkey

Jul 11, 2024

The History of Greeks in Turkey

Overview

  • Turkey: country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia
  • Population: 82 million
  • Greek population: a few thousand
  • Region: Asia Minor (Anatolia)
  • Known for transitions throughout history

Ancient Greek Settlement

  • Greek settlement begins: 20th century BC (west coast)
  • Described by Herodotus as divided into regions (diverse in culture, language, religion)
  • Greek culture strengthens: peak during Byzantine Empire (6th-10th centuries)

Hellenization and Christianity

  • Continuous Greek presence since the mid-2nd millennium BC
  • Bronze Age collapse leads to heavy Greek settlement (Ionia)
  • Greek colonies: 8th-6th century BC
  • Alexander the Great's conquest opens Asia Minor for Greek settlement
  • Hellenistic kingdoms follow, Greek becomes dominant language (1st century BC)
  • Early spread of Christianity: by 4th century AD, Asia Minor is predominantly Christian and Greek-speaking
  • Byzantine Greeks dominate for 1,000 years until fall in the 15th century
  • Empire of Trebizond (modern Pontic Greeks)

Decline of Greek Influence

  • Greek decline starts in the 11th century (Battle of Manzikert, 1071)
  • Seljuk Turks take control, Byzantine recovery limited
  • Turkic nomads move into depopulated areas
  • Byzantine collapse follows internal problems and other invasions

Ottoman Period

  • Turkification begins in the 17th century
  • Blood tax (Janissary recruitment from Christian sons)
  • Especially affects non-Turkish peoples like Arabs, Armenians, Kurds, Greeks
  • Late Ottoman policies impose Turkish in administration

Early 20th Century and World War I

  • Greek population before WWI: 1.8 to 2 million in the Ottoman Empire
  • From 1914-1923: Massacres and deportations reduce Greek numbers
  • Post-WWI population exchanges (mandated by League of Nations)
    • 1.5 million Greeks sent to Greece, half a million Turks sent to Turkey
    • 200,000 Greeks permitted to remain (mainly in Istanbul)

Mid 20th Century to Present

  • 1930s: Repressive policies force Greek emigration
  • Higher wartime taxes on non-Muslims in WWII
  • Discrimination leads to further Greek emigration
  • Greek population in Turkey in 1978: ~7,000
  • Greek population in Turkey in 2006: ~2,500