Hellene Gylians

Hellene Gylians
Ελλεnογυλιαnοι Ellenogylianoi

Total population
824.694 3,72% of the Gylian population (2015 census)
Languages
Hellene
Religion
Predominantly Hellenism

Hellene Gylians (Hellene reformed: Ελλεnογυλιαnοι, Ellenogylianoi) are Gylians of full or partial Hellene descent who were born in or immigrated to Gylias. The term can be hyphenated or not.

Originating in Makedon (today part of Syara), Hellenes began to settle in the Liúşai League in antiquity. Hellene influence on Gylic culture is significant; the Hellene alphabet was one of the first adapted to write the Gylic languages, later superseded by the Latin alphabet. Due to the Slavicisation and assimilation of Makedonians in Syara, population growth among Gylian Hellenes is mainly driven by birth rates.

Hellene Gylians have the highest concentration in Elena, and communities are present in most of Gylias' largest cities.

Origins and etymology

The Hellenes descend from the Ancient Makedonians.

The term "Hellenes" has no satisfactory etymology. It was in use from antiquity, and initially the Hellenes who settled in the Liúşai League used it interchangeably with "Makedonian".

"Hellene" began to supersede "Makedonian" as an autonym in the 5th century CE, a process that was complete before the Syarans were Slavicised.

History

Liúşai League

Contact between Gylic peoples and Makedonians dates back to the establishment of the Kydonian League. The first Makedonian settlers are attested in the 6th–5th centuries BCE. The city of Argyrokastron was established in 490 BCE.

When the Liúşai League was founded in 390 BCE, Hellenes had a presence on the Western coast, and were acknowledged as "honoured guests" of Rezak. At the time when the Makedonian Empire was faced with the Bastarnae Invasions, Aeclesian War, and later wars of conquest, the stabilisation of the Gylic states made them attractive to Hellene settlers.

Hellene settlement — concentrated in Elena, Sváen, and Tomes — had an important contribution to Gylic culture. The Gylics borrowed and adapted the Hellene alphabet to write their languages, and it became the main alphabet in use until its later replacement by the Latin alphabet.

The Hellenic religion spread through syncretism with Concordianism and other ethnic religions present, and Hellenes later developed mystery religions as well, which complemented the civil religions.

Hellenes brought notable contributions to Gylic civic life and philosophy. Several concepts achieved widespread acceptance, including the notion of daimones that influenced the wicked–evil distinction. Hellene became a prestigious sociolect in the League and a lingua franca, being particularly influential on West Gylic languages.

The split between League-dwelling Hellenes and Makedonians began in 566, when the Chronicles of the All Mother triggered a process of Syarans abandoning the Hellenic pantheon in favour of a monotheistic worship of Gaia. Hellenes in the League resisted monotheism, giving the term "Hellene" an additional meaning of "heathen". Conversion attempts by Zobethan missionaries provoked ethnic tensions and reprisals, an early manifestation of the League authorities' growing anti-monotheist policies.

Gradual Slavicisation of Makedonians in Syara added to the rift, and Hellenes in the League came to see themselves as the only remaining Hellenic population.

Xevden

The flag of Elena's nine stripes represent the motto Eleutheria e thanatos ("freedom or death")

The Colonisation War and destruction of the Liúşai League had disastrous consequences for Hellenes. They were reduced to second-class citizens like the other non-Ŋej populations, subject to systematic discrimination and marginalisation.

While Xevdenites never seriously pursued cultural assimilation and religious conversion, their use of state religion as a tool of control encouraged foreign missionaries to target the Hellenes for conversion. Like other native populations, they overwhelmingly held on to their ethnic religion.

Hellenes took part in the Gylian ascendancy in the 19th century. The nine-striped blue-and-white flag was adopted as a symbol at this time. Hellenes were well-represented among Gylian political activists, and had a pronounced anti-monotheist character due to historical circumstances.

Alscia and the Free Territories

The Cacertian Empire's annexation of Alscia in 1908 was highly beneficial to its Gylian population — Hellenes included. Hellenes once again practiced their religions without official discrimination, and gained a reputation as industrious and successful in commerce.

The community experienced further growth and development in the Free Territories, with many publications and media outlets established for a Hellene audience.

Independence

The end of the Liberation War allowed for both a growth in the Hellene population and a degree of cultural adoption as a mechanism of perpetuation, similar to francité.

Demographics

The 2015 census recorded a population of 824.694 (3,72% of the total population) as Hellene Gylian.

Elena is the only region to have a plurality Hellene population, with significant minorities present in Sváen and Tomes as well.

Hellene communities are present in most of Gylias' largest cities.

Society

Language

Most Hellenes' native language is Hellene, which today is written with the reformed Hellene alphabet.

One of the biggest Hellene linguistic contributions has been the adoption of -oi as the standard plural form for Gylic languages. Similarly, the suffix -as often appears in place names, as ancient Gylics assumed it was a suffix denoting location.

Religion

The laurel wreath is a standard symbol of Hellene traditional religion

The Bureau of Statistics and Accounting does not conduct surveys of religion. Unofficial surveys show that the overwhelming majority of Hellenes practice their traditional religion (Hellene reformed: Eλλεɴικέ ἐθɴικέ θʀεςκεία, Elleniké ethniké threskeía).

Common names for Hellenic religion include "Hellenism" (Hellene reformed: Eλλεɴιςμός, Ellenismos), Olympianism (Hellene reformed: Oλυμπιαɴιςμός, Olympianismós), or Dodekatheism (Hellene reformed: Δοδεκαθειςμός, Dodekatheismós). The latter terms refer to the traditional residence of the gods, Mount Olympus, and the twelve major deities of the pantheon.

Contemporary mystery religions are also notable within the community, and compatible with other religions. Many Hellenes practice both traditional religion and mysteries.

Culture

Hellene culture is shaped by both its ancient heritage and modern developments.

Political activity

Hellenes are considered the forerunners of Gylian direct democracy and communal assemblies, being involved in the development of popular governing assemblies in the Liúşai League.

Hellenes are generally well-represented in Gylian politics. As one of the largest non-Gylic groups of Gylias, they tend to preference IRAM above other parties in federal elections.

Some Syaran commentators have identified traditional Hellene hostility to Syarans on religious grounds as an obstacle to improved relations between Gylias and Syara.

In popular culture

Hellenes have brought significant contributions to Gylian culture and society. Among the Gylian public, they are generally associated with philosophy, direct democracy, and ancient cultural heritage.

Notable Hellene Gylians

• Theophania Argyris, computer scientist, researcher, and planning minister in the Darnan Cyras government.
• Alike Demetriou, actress and musician.
• Chloë Eleftheriou, chemist, professor, and first director of the Controlled Substances Administration.
• Electra Galanou, inventor and businesswoman.
• Hypatia, philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician.
• Gertrude Karagianis, member of the Tetramazones, assistant to Prime Minister Mathilde Vieira.
• Reda Kazan, singer, songwriter, actress, and hétaïre.
• Anna Komnene, historian and scholar.
• Phaedra Metaxa, poet, writer, activist, and politician.
• Plethon, philosopher and scholar.
• Agathe Sanna, businesswoman.