Greek Ethnicity and the Greek Language

Abstract

This paper argues that in antiquity Greeks primarily defined their ethnicity by the Greek language. In essence, a Greek knew a Greek when he heard one. Greek speech and Greek ethnicity were seen as intimately connected, and even though this connection was often described as primordial, Greek ethnicity could be acquired by those who assiduously adopted the language. This association of Greek language and ethnicity developed because, despite the many different dialects and political divisions within the Hellenic world, this predominantly oral society, thanks to its wandering poets and singers, its national religious festivals, and its widespread commerce among the various Greek states, maintained a high level of language compre hensibility among those who proclaimed themselves Greeks. Various definitions of ethnicity have been offered over the past few decades. While many of these have addressed objective criteria, it is generally acknowledged today that the ultimate basis of ethnicity is perception.1 Objective similarities are only important, if they are deemed significant by those in question, and acknowledged by others. Of these attributes, five in partic ular are often identified as meaningful in defining ethnicity. These five are perceptions of (1) common ancestral origin, (2) similar culture, (3) shared religion, (4) common race, (5) similar language.2 This list corresponds remarkably to that which Hero dotus (8. 144. 2; cf. 7. 9b. 2) has the Athenian ambassador