Would you believe that as late as 1912, there were still people who identified as Romans? This story takes us to the heart of the Eastern Roman Empire’s enduring legacy. After the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, most Greek-speaking inhabitants of the empire continued to call themselves Romans, keeping alive the identity of the Byzantine Empire. Even after Greek independence was secured in 1832, many Greeks in Ottoman-held lands clung to this identity.
Fast forward to the Balkan Wars of 1912, when Greece annexed the island of Lesbos. As Greek soldiers garrisoned the island, they encountered local children who stared at them in awe. When asked why, the children replied, “We’re looking at Hellenes.” Confused, the soldiers responded, “Aren’t you Hellenes too?” The children answered, “No, we are Romans.”
This moment highlights how identities tied to history can linger for centuries, even as borders shift and empires fall. The story of the “last Romans” offers a unique perspective on how history shapes cultural and national identity, showing how the legacy of the Roman and Byzantine Empires continued to influence people long after their fall.
#EasternRomanEmpire #BalkanWars #ByzantineHistory #RomanIdentity #GreekIndependence #Lesbos #HistoricalLegacy #CulturalIdentity #HistoryFacts #OttomanEmpire