Although most historians avoid linking political reality with the subject of their research, I personally believe that contemporary foreign policy issues can provide fertile stimuli for historical reflection, especially since the course of developments often deviates from established stereotypes and predictions.
In this sense, the origins of modern problems concerning Macedonia, Thrace, and Asia Minor, areas where Hellenism coexisted for centuries with neighboring peoples, can be traced even to the distant past. Specifically, the period during which many of our country's bilateral problems can be "projected and studied in light of their initial formation is the Palaiologos period (late 13th - mid 15th century), during which I believe rapid political and social developments initiated the process of shaping modern Balkan states.
Unfortunately, the study of this tumultuous era is avoided by most Byzantinists and medievalists in our country, to the detriment of forming a more comprehensive historical consciousness among modern Greeks. In re-examining the studies contained here, I avoided undertaking a "modernization" of them, knowing that some professional historians might accuse me of this. However, I believe that the essence and completeness of the writings are not undermined by such "omissions."
Nevertheless, especially regarding the study of the occupation of Smyrna by Tamerlane, I preferred to present the texts of the sources referring to the event in Modern Greek translation rather than in the original, believing that this way they will be more easily understood by the wider reading audience to whom this book is addressed.
