Searching for the Traces of Greek Civilization in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to highlight the deep relationship between Greek and Spanish culture in order to form the basis for the development of future policies that will lead to the further strengthening of relations between the two countries. In the modern era, countries are increasingly focusing on the creation of specialized mechanisms to shape their cultural policies. The development of cultural policy is an area of countries’ foreign policy and is based on one of the pillars supporting their soft power: culture. The aim of this study is to search for traces of Greek civilization in the Iberian Peninsula starting from the 8th century B.C. when the Greeks were found in ancient Iberia for commercial reasons. Our research then led us to Catalonia, a region of Spain that bases its diversity on its Greek roots. One question we must answer is whether the historical past linking Catalonia and Greece has contributed to the formation of its national identity. Finally, the aim is to look at the dissemination of the Greek element in Spain today, focusing on the dynamics of the learning of the Greek language in Spain, mainly in the field of higher education, since language is an important element of a country’s culture. In this context, an analysis is presented based both on bibliographical research on the evolution of the Greek element in the Iberian Peninsula and primary research on the Greek element, especially in the region of Catalonia. The present study aims to capture the traces of Greek culture in Spain and the ties that unite the two countries from antiquity to the present day in order to lead to new initiatives in the future for the further strengthening of relations between the two peoples.