Historical Narratives, Built Cultural Heritage, and National Claims: The Expansion of the Greek Kingdom and the Shaping of Athens' Cultural Heritage Space

Abstract: The cultural heritage space of Athens was shaped and then reshaped to depict two distinct historiographical narratives. First was the narrative of Revival, which internalized Western Hellenism and Philhellenism; later, the narrative of Continuity emerged, addressing discrepancies that challenged a coherent and lasting national identity. The reconsideration of Athens' cultural heritage space to represent the latter narrative began in the early twentieth century following the expansion of the Greek kingdom and incorporated Byzantine heritage as a common feature of both the Old and the New Lands, as well as the territories claimed by Greek irredentism. Within this context, the depiction of Continuity became a heritage management priority, eventually shaping Athens' cultural heritage landscape in its present form.