philhellene

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromφιλέλλην
2. English todayphilhellene

From Ancient Greek φιλέλλην (philéllēn), corresponding to phil- + Hellene.

First known use, by meaning

• from 19th c. Philhellenic.
• from 19th c. A lover of Greece or Greek culture.
• from 19th c. Specifically, a supporter of Greek independence, especially during the Greek war of independence in 1821-29.