Who was the most influential in the Balkans?
Posted by mentalmike9@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 29 comments
Posted by mentalmike9@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 29 comments
HenryDoja@reddit
It would be cool to see from where are the votes for the Ottoman Empire, bet around 99% of them are from turkey/Germany
A while back I spoke with a historian and I ask him about the positive things left by the ottomans, and it told me that is the only empire that left absolutely nothing positive behind, mostly due to how it was organized to strengthen only itself rather than it vassals.
NoScreen54@reddit
Byzantium most definitely. Even Ottomans were influenced by the Byzantines. Ottoman architecture are deeply influenced by the churches, bath houses, of the Byzantines. maybe the cuisines was influenced by Ottomans more (especially the various rice and yogurt based dishes), but the rest it's all Byzantines.
Greyko@reddit
serfdom
Rosu_Aprins@reddit
I'd say that the ottoman empire had the most influence, as it doesn't include only positive influence.
In every balkan country you will find food and music that was brought by or influenced by the ottoman empire, their restricution on fortifications in conquered countries changed how cities developed and how those countries defended themselves (the fortified churches in transylvania for example) and their conquest also helped galvanize some of the national identies in the balkans or even alliances.
GCdotSup@reddit
different for every country. For Slovenia and most of Croatia the Habsburg monarchy. Schools were the most prominent advantage. Compare illiteracy levels in Slovenia in Bosnia during that time. Austria-Hungary didnt make much impact for us other than continue what Maria Terezija has done.
Eastern_Click_4361@reddit
The Ottomans were the stress vectors that made all the people in the Balkans cuddle up to the Byzantine heritage. In terms of modernity, I think the Austrians played a huge role. The countries closer to Austria had it best.
DownvoteEvangelist@reddit
We could have all been like Slovenia if it wasn't for those pesky Ottomans...
PreWiBa@reddit
You have to list Venice as an option as well.
Most of Croatia's coast was under the Venetians for centuries. Even the Republic of Ragusa/Dubrovnik, as well, albeit independent, undeniably was mostly influenced from the other side of the Adriatic and not it's hinterland.
JufffoWup@reddit
Venice and Genoa.
Calm-Bumblebee6634@reddit
And Some Greek land
Live-Role7096@reddit
Montenegrin coastal towns as well
Curl4Girls@reddit
The Byzantine empire shaped the balkans.
minkadominka@reddit
nah, the lack of progress and industrializaton is a relict and result of Ottomans.
IMNAGMAIMNAAI@reddit
Although from today's point of view in history, it seems like Ottomans have more influence, when you look at the big picture, that the Ottoman Empire was also strongly influenced by the Roman Empire, I think the answer is clear.
CypriotGreek@reddit
I think everyone in the balkans has done their fair share
No-Championship-4632@reddit
I think it's Byzantium here more than the Ottomans. Like the religion for example. The alphabet is also based on the Greek one, despite being different. And I think some bad features that people commonly ascribe to the Ottoman period actually have roots in the Byzantine times. Like nepotism is 100% Byzantine thing, it wasn't introduced here by the Ottomans.
Low-Cash-2435@reddit
Nepotism wasn't introduced by anyone. It's a human issue.
No_Neat5220@reddit
In Romania Byzantinum way over Ottoman. Only in Dobrogea region you can see Ottoman influence but in the rest of Romania its a mix of Byzantinum and Habsburg.
PreWiBa@reddit
Ottoman empire i'd say if we take the whole Balkans, but it varies regionally a lot.
oduzmi@reddit
There's no universal answer. For Croatia it was Austria Hungary.
PreWiBa@reddit
I'd argue for Dalmacia and esp. Istria it was rather Venice
Live-Role7096@reddit
Its actually Slavs.
Kejo2023@reddit
Great comment that most people won't grasp.
Aristo95@reddit
U, S and A. People underestimate the magnitude of cultural change we all made under American influence since WW2 and especially in internet era.
Square-Confusion-789@reddit
Many people in Serbia don't know how Austria had big influence in Serbia throughout history there was Serbian kingdom (1718-1739) wich was autonomous kingdom as part of Austrian empire.
Traditional_Pick7797@reddit
For Serbia definitely byzantium. Habzburg also had big influence in Serbia especially during Obrenović dynasty.
KeyMark4056@reddit
Realisticly its Ottoman Empire for most countrys
tinmanjk@reddit
Bulgaria
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
Byzantium for Serbia.