Philhellenism: The Movement That Supported Greek Independence

Philhellenism (from Greek φιλήν, philēn, "lover of Greece" and -ism) was a movement that emerged in the 18th century among non-Greek Europeans who were sympathetic to the cause of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. The term was used to describe those who advocated for Greek freedom and supported the Greeks in their struggle against the Ottomans.

Philhellenists were often intellectuals, artists, and politicians who were inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment and saw the Greek struggle as a symbol of the fight for liberty and human rights. Many philhellenists traveled to Greece to fight alongside the Greeks or to provide support and resources for the cause.

Some notable philhellenists include Lord Byron, who fought in the Greek War of Independence and died there; Percy Bysshe Shelley, who wrote poems in support of the Greeks; and Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who wrote a play about the Greek struggle that was performed in London. The philhellenist movement played an important role in raising awareness and support for the Greek cause among European public opinion, which helped to galvanize international support for Greek independence.