William Martin Leake about Greeknes of Macedonia

 

 Leake’s Travels in Northern Greece (1835).

 What comes through is that he actually does present Macedonia as part of the Greek world, though sometimes he notes local variations. He uses epigraphy, toponyms, and ancient references to show that the Macedonians were connected to, and belonged among, 

So, far from excluding Macedonians from the Greek world, Leake actually stresses their Greekness — especially via inscriptions, names, and the cultural role of Alexander. What later scholars (especially in the Balkan nationalist debates of the late 19th / early 20th century) did was often to reinterpret or selectively quote Leake.

1. On the Greek character of inscriptions in Macedonia

“The inscriptions of Macedonia are in general as purely Greek as those of the most acknowledged parts of Greece, and the names of the Macedonians are almost without exception Greek.”1

Leake is very explicit: Macedonian inscriptions and personal names are Greek.

2. On the spread of the Greek language

“The Greek language, as it appears in the Macedonian inscriptions, differs in no respect from that of the other Hellenic states; and the prevalence of Greek proper names in Macedonia shows how generally it was spoken.”2

He stresses that Macedonian Greek is not some separate language but the same as the rest of Greece.

3. On Macedonia as part of Greece

“Macedonia, though lying on the confines, was always reckoned among the countries of Greece; its princes, when admitted into the Amphictyonic council, were recognized as Greeks.”3

This is Leake citing historical/ institutional inclusion — Amphictyonic membership being a key “badge” of Greekness.

4. On Macedonian rulers and their Greek identity

“Alexander and his successors, in their language, manners, and policy, were Greeks; their conquests contributed only to extend the Hellenic name and influence.” 4

Here he explicitly affirms the Hellenic identity of the Macedonian dynasty and its role in spreading Greek culture.

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Important Pages for This Theme

Vol. I, pp. 290–295 → Macedonia described as one of the Greek countries, with references to Amphictyonic membership.

Vol. III, pp. 315–323 → His discussion of inscriptions, language, and names showing Macedonia’s Greekness.

Vol. III, pp. 320–322 → On Alexander and successors as Greeks.

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Ref:

1-Travels in Northern Greece, Vol. III, p...316

2 Travels in Northern Greece, Vol. III, p... 319

3-Travels in Northern Greece, Vol. I, p.....293

4-Travels in Northern Greece, Vol. III, p... 322