Last modified: 2003-11-22 by ivan sache
Keywords: higher military command | athens military command | lions: 2 | rock |
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The website of the Greek Armed Forces shows 66 flags, probably all the unit flags of the Greek Army. By clicking on the link below each flag, you can reach another page with a large image of the flag.
All flags have the same general design: Three horizontal coloured stripes, with a fimbriation between them, an emblem in the middle and a golden fringe.
Ivan Sache, 18 February 2002
I translated the first part of the texts from the website
mentioned above, and added some minor comments.
The mottos in the emblems are mostly from ancient times, therefore in
various forms of ancient Greek (e.g. from Homer's Ilias).
Transliteration of Greek is according to the
rules of transliterating
ancient Greek into English, i.e., zeta is
transliterated "z", eta "ê", theta "th",
xi "x", upsilon "u" or "y", phi "ph", chi
"ch", psi "ps", omega "ô", all others are
straightforward. The modern pronunciation of Greek, however, is
different: especially a whole set of vowels and diphthongs (y,
ê, ei, oi) are pronounced as "i" (like
"invincible"). If the Greek terms would have been only in Modern
Greek, I would have preferred a more phonetic transliteration; for
this mixture of ancient and modern Greek I prefer the more
traditional transliteration. I left off all the diacriticals
(accents, spiritus, iota adscriptum).
Marcus Schmöger, 25 February 2002
Colours: red-light blue-red with white fimbriation, blue shield.
Description: Bas-relief of of the Lions' Gate of
Mykene.
It symbolizes the approximate geographic correspondence of the power
of the Mykenians with the area of command of ASDEN, and the unity, in
the meaning of co-ordination and collaboration, because of the big
number of units in combination with the geographical splitting of the
area of command.
Motto: amynesthai peri patrês (to defend the
fatherland).
In context: "We had better obey the counsels of Zeus Almighty, who
rules over mortals and immortals both. One is the best omen: To fight
for home and country." (Homer, Ilias 12, 243)
Marcus Schmöger, after the website of the Greek Armed Forces 25 March 2002
Colours: light blue-yellow-light blue with white fimbriation, black shield.
Description: Theseus at the age of 16 years raises the huge
rock and takes the sword and the golden sandals, that his father had
placed there, wishing his son would take them, when he is born, grows
up and can move the rock on his own.
It symbolizes the capability of the SDA to take the responsibility
and to fulfill successfully its mission using all available means.
Motto: alkê kratos esti megiston (valour is the greatest power) (Homer, Ilias 9, 39). In context: "but valour he gave thee not, wherein is the greatest might".
Marcus Schmöger, after the website of the Greek Armed Forces, 25 March 2002