The Great Revolt of the Byzantine Empire

There had never been a greek state in the modern sense. One part of their idea they drawn from europeans who, as you know, have become obsessed with the greeks. But there was another image that was much less derived from europe and much more derived from their own orthodoxy. To be greek really was to be an orthodox christian who was faithful to the patriarch in constantinople. And if you thought like that, then your conception of greece could extend north through the balkans, right up to the danube - even into russia.