Why Do We Still Call Our Country Greece, Not Hellas?

Have you ever wondered why the Greeks do not call their country Hellas, which is the classical name? This article explores the history and reasons behind the use of Greece as the official name of the country, despite the modern name being Hellas or Ellada.

The Greek Naming System

The Greeks refer to their country as Hellas or Ellada. The former is pronounced with a rough breathing mark, which is non-existent in Modern Greek due to phonetic changes. Therefore, the modern form Ellada is widely used and understood. Names like Greece and are exonyms, used by non-Greeks for practical purposes.

The Term Ellēn

The term Hellen is a Latinized version of Γραικ?? (Grakos), meaning "the old ones." This term was first used during the Roman Empire to describe what is now known as the Greeks. However, the original term in Ancient Greek was Ελλ?ν (Ellēn).

The Transition to Greece

The name Greece comes from the Latinized form of the word Graeci, which in turn is derived from Γραικο?. The Romans used this term to describe the Greek people they encountered during their conquests. The name Greece became widely used when the region was colonized by other peoples who came into contact with the Greeks, leading to the various names we see today in different languages.

Names in Different Regions

In Arab countries and Turkey, Greece is known as Yunanistan or Yunan. This name comes from the word ωνε (Oine), which refers to Oion, the brother of Achaios. The sons of Hellen, the progenitor of all Hellenes, were Aeolos, Doros, and Achaios. From these ancestors, different Greek tribes emerged, such as the Aeolians, Dorians, Achaioi, and Ionians.

The Diverse Naming Origins

The various names for Greece and the Greeks are a result of different linguistic and cultural connections. For instance, the names Germany, Deutschland, and Egypt are also exonyms used by outsiders to refer to these countries.

Conclusion

While the official name of Greece is Ellada and many Greeks still call their country Hellas, Greece has become the internationally recognized name. This name has deep etymological roots and reflects the historical interactions between Greeks and other ancient and contemporary civilizations.

Keywords: Greece, Hellas, Greek Naming