New Books Network Sean Mathews, "The New Byzantines: The Rise of Greece and Return of the Near East" (Hurst, 2025)
Jan 8, 2026
Sean Mathews, a Greek-American journalist for Middle East Eye, dives into Greece's complex identity in his latest book. He challenges the perception of Greece as merely a part of Western civilization, arguing its deeper connections to the Near East. Mathews expertly links Athens' urban landscape to Levantine cities, explores the Ottoman influence still present today, and discusses the significant role of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. He also touches on the historical significance of Constantinople and the current geopolitical dynamics with Turkey.
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Greece's Return To The Near East
- Sean Mathews argues Greece historically belongs to the Near East and is returning to that orbit today.
- He attributes this to geopolitics, demographics, and economics shifting the regional center of gravity east and south of Greece.
Demographics Shift Regional Weight
- Mathews highlights demographics as a decisive factor shifting regional importance toward Egypt and the Arab world.
- He contrasts Italy's median age of ~48 with Egypt's ~25 and notes Athens is about as close to Cairo as to Rome by flight.
Byzantine Identity In The Greek Revolution
- Mathews recounts how Greeks in the revolution combined Enlightenment ideas with Byzantine Orthodox identity.
- He says fighters identified more with Byzantine heritage than with Western Enlightenment principles.
