Rediscovering the Greeks

The article explores the impact of Byzantines on Istrian Humanismand Renaissance. In the introduction author describes the alienationof the territories which used to be Eastern and Western part of theRoman Empire and, congruently, the fate of the classical (particularlyGreek) heritage in the Dark and Middle Ages in those territories.This is followed by a description of the historical events that led torapprochement of the East and West, with particular emphasis on theByzantine exodus to Italy. The author then provides a methodologicalframework by analyzing the main aspects of „rediscovering” Greekcultural heritage and the influence of the Byzantine immigrants onthem. The author than turns to Istria, providing, first, a short summaryof Istrian contacts with the Greek cultural heritage throughout historyand then the settlement of the Byzantines in Istria. The main part of thearticle follows, containing a detailed analysis of the described elementsof „rediscovering” Greek cultural heritage – interest in Greek language,literature, culture and philosophy (particularly Neoplatonism), intranslations, the editing and publishing of Greek classics, as well as inthe presence of the idea of a common European identity based on acommon ancient heritage, and the voices advocating for the formationof a united Christian European front against the Ottomans.