Greece

1. Classical Era (5th Century BCE) establishes foundational contributions to Western philosophy, democracy, mathematics, and arts.
2. Hellenistic kingdoms under Alexander the Great's successors spread Greek culture; the Greek-speaking Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire carried it on.
3. c.1460–1821: Four centuries of Ottoman rule across most Greek lands.
4. 1821–1832: Greek War of Independence secures sovereignty, establishing the modern Kingdom of Greece.
5. Mid-20th Century: Suffers severe Axis occupation in World War II, followed immediately by the Greek Civil War (1946–1949).
6. 1974: Fall of the military junta leads to the Third Hellenic Republic and joining the European Community (1981).

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