Macedonians (Greeks)

Macedonians (Greek: Μακεδόνες, Makedónes), also known as Macedonian Greeks, Greek Macedonians or Makedonians, are a regional and historical population group of ethnic Greeks, inhabiting or originating from the Greek region of Macedonia, in Northern Greece. Most Macedonians live in or around the regional capital city of Thessaloniki and other cities and towns in Greek Macedonia, while many have spread across Greece and in the diaspora.

Name

The name Macedonia (Greek: Μακεδονία, Makedonía) comes from the ancient Greek word μακεδνός (Makednos). It is commonly explained as having originally meant "a tall one" or "highlander", possibly descriptive of the Makedones. The shorter English name variant Macedon developed in Middle English, based on a borrowing from the French form of the name, Macédoine.

History

Ancient Macedonians

Greek populations have inhabited the regions of Lower and Upper Macedonia since ancient times. Macedon started as a small kingdom on the periphery of Classical Greek affairs, which was ruled by the Argeads from their capital at Aigai, until it was moved to Pella by Archelaus of Macedon. The rise of Macedon to become the dominant state of the entire Hellenic world occurred under the reign of Philip II, who unified most of Greece into the League of Corinth under his hegemony. Philip's son, Alexander the Great, managed in just ten years to extend his empire over the entire Persian empire which he toppled, including Egypt, and towards lands as far east as the fringes of India in today Pakistan. Alexander's adoption of the styles of government of the conquered territories was accompanied by the spread of Greek culture and learning through his vast empire.