Medism
/ˈmiːdɪzəm/noun
Sympathy with, support for, or adoption of the customs of the ancient Medes or Persians, especially in ancient Greece.
Did you know?In classical Greek political language, to “Medize” could imply collaborating with Persia, making cultural imitation sound like treason.
Etymological Timeline
1st millennium BCE
Old Persian
Māda
“The Medes, an ancient Iranian people and kingdom”
5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Mêdos
“A Mede; by extension, a Persian or eastern power”
5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Mēdízō
“To side with the Medes or Persians; to adopt their customs”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
Mēdismós
“Partisanship toward the Medes or Persian sympathies”
17th Century
English
Medism
“Sympathy with or support for the Medes or Persians”