Greek Separatism

With the Byzantine Empire reduced to a distant memory, most Greeks have come to lead their lives under foreign rulers. Some have left their old home region altogether as merchants or to serve in the various courts of Europe while most remain in Greece, leading lives in the countryside similar to before the fall of the Empire. Others even thrive under their new rulers. The independent Greek identity has, however, remained strong, and will in time make itself even more known among the unruly mountain Klephts or by the patriot dreams of intellectuals in foreign lands.\n\nWhile restoration of the Byzantine Empire remains an unattainable dream, many have come to yearn to be free of the rule of foreign tax collectors and hope for a new Greek state centered on the ancient homeland of their people.