Introduction to the Special Issue The Afterlife of the Greco-Persian Wars

Key Points

• The aim is to explore how the Greco-Persian Wars fostered a sense of Panhellenism and shaped Greek identity.
• Analysis of historical texts and artifacts related to the period
• Examination of cultural and social changes post-war
• Discussion of scholarly interpretations of Greek identity
• Evidence indicates a significant rise in Panhellenic sentiment among Greek city-states.
• Cultural identity shifted, uniting diverse Greek communities against external threats.
• The Greco-Persian Wars instigated a transformation in how Greeks perceived themselves and their society.