Eleftheria i thanatos (Greek: Ελευθερία ή θάνατος, pron. [e̞.le̞f.θe̞.ˈri.ˌa ˈi ˈθa.na.ˌto̞s̠], "freedom or death") is the motto[1] of the Hellenic Republic. It arose during the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s, where it was a war cry for the Greeks who rebelled against Ottoman rule. It was adopted after the Greek War of Independence. It is still in use today, and is symbolically evoked[2] by the use of 9 stripes (for the nine syllables of the motto) in the Greek flag. The motto symbolized and still symbolizes the resolve of the people of Greece against tyranny and oppression.
References
^ Pedersen, Christian Fogd (1971). The International Flag Book in Color. Morrow, 166.
* Crampton, William (1991). Complete Guide to Flags. Gallery Books, 57. ISBN 0-831-71605-3.
^ Hinde, Robert A.; Watson, Helen (1995). War: A Cruel Necessity? : the Bases of Institutionalized Violence. I.B. Tauris, 55. ISBN 1-850-43824-2.
* Smith, Whitney (2001). Flag Lore of All Nations. Milbrook Press, 40. ISBN 0-761-31753-8.
