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Map of the medieval Peloponnese with its principal localities

The Morea (Greek: Μωρέας or Μωριάς, French: Morée, Italian: Morea, Turkish: Mora) was the name of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. It also referred to a Byzantine province in the region, known as the Despotate of Morea.

Origins of the name[link]

There is some uncertainty over the origin of the medieval name "Morea", which is first recorded only in the 10th century in the Byzantine chronicles.

Traditionally scholars thought the name originated from the word morea (μορέα), meaning morus or mulberry,^[1] a tree which, though known in the region from the ancient times, gained value after the 6th century, when silkworms were smuggled from China to Byzantium. Then the mulberry began to be planted so copiously in the Peloponnesus that the plain around Thebes came to be known as Morokampos and Thebes gained renown for its silk.^[2] No silk is now made at Thebes and mulberry trees are not prominent, but the Theban plain retains its name Morokampos from the mulberry trees which once gave the town its prosperity.^[3]

The British Byzantinist Steven Runciman suggested that the name comes "from the likeness of its shape to that of a mulberry leaf." ^[4]

Jakob Philipp Fallmerayer's alternate proposal^[5] that the name comes from the Slavic word more, meaning "sea"as for a long periods the region was inhabited by slavs and thracians.

History[link]

The Morea ca. 1265 in its international context: the Byzantine Empire and the Frankish states of Greece. Map from William R. Shepherd's Historical Atlas (1911)

After the conquest of Constantinople by the forces of the Fourth Crusade (1204), two groups of Franks undertook the occupation of the Morea. They created the Principality of Achaea, a largely Greek-inhabited statelet ruled by a Latin (Western) autocrat. In referring to the Peloponnese, they followed local practice and used the name "Morea".

The most important prince in the Morea was Guillaume II de Villehardouin (1246–1278), who fortified Mistra (Mystras) near the site of Sparta in 1249. After losing the Battle of Pelagonia (1259) against the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus, Guillaume was forced to ransom himself by giving up most of the eastern part of Morea and his newly built strongholds. An initial Byzantine drive to reconquer the entire peninsula failed in the battles of Prinitza and Makryplagi, and the Byzantines and Franks settled to an uneasy coexistence.

In the mid-14th century, the later Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos reorganized Morea into the Despotate of the Morea. Sons of the emperor with the rank of despotes were usually sent to rule the province as an appanage. By 1430, the Byzantines eventually recovered the remainder of the Frankish part of the Morea, but in 1460 the peninsula was overrun and conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

The peninsula was captured for the Republic of Venice by Francesco Morosini during the Morean War of 1684–99. Venetian rule proved unpopular, and the Ottomans recaptured the Morea in a lightning campaign in 1714. Under renewed Ottoman rule, centered at Tripolitsa, the region enjoyed relative prosperity. The latter 18th century was marked by renewed dissatisfaction. Armed bands of the klephts emerged, undeterred by the brutal repression of the Orlov Revolt. They waged guerrilla war against the Turks, aided both by the decay of Ottoman power and the re-emergence of Greek national consciousness. Ultimately, the Morea and its inhabitants provided the cradle and backbone of the Greek Revolution.

Chronicle of the Morea[link]

The anonymous 14th century Chronicle of the Morea relates events of the Franks' establishment of feudalism in mainland Greece following the Fourth Crusade. Despite its unreliability about historical events, the Chronicle is famous for its lively portrayal of life in the feudal community. The language in Greek versions is notable as it reflects the rapid transition from Medieval to Modern Greek. The original language of the Chronicle is disputed, but recent scholarship prefers the Greek version in MS Havniensis 57 (14th–15th century, in Copenhagen). Other manuscripts include the Ms Parisinus graecus 2898 (15th–16th century, at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris). The difference of about one century in the texts shows a considerable number of linguistic differences due to the rapid evolution of the Greek language.

See also[link]

• List of traditional Greek place names

References[link]

• Crusaders as Conquerors: the Chronicle of Morea, translated from the Greek with notes and introduction by Harold E. Lurier, Columbia University, 1964.
• M.J. Jeffreys, "The Chronicle of Morea: Priority of the Greek Version." Byzantinische Zeitschrift 68 (1975), 304-350.
• Teresa Shawcross, The Chronicle of Morea: Historiography in Crusader Greece (Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 2009) (Oxford Studies in Byzantium).

1. ^ μορέα = mulberry-tree, Morus nigra, (from Liddell & Scott)
2. ^ H.C. Darby, "The face of Europe on the eve of the great discoveries", in The New Cambridge Modern History vol. 1, 1957:34.
3. ^ W.A. Heurtley, H.C. Darby, C W. Crawley, A Short History of Greece from Early Times to 1964 1967:49.
4. ^ Runciman, A Traveller's Alphabet, "Morea")
5. ^ Fallmerayer, Geschichte der Halbinsel Morea während des Mittelalters, Stuttgart, 1825-30.

External links[link]

• Mystras: illustrated capsule history
• Mystra: history

Coordinates: 37°36′N 22°12′E / 37.6°N 22.2°E / 37.6; 22.2

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2010)

Malini Sharma is an Indian model and actress, who has worked in videos like Kya Soorat Hai and movies like Raaz.^[1] For her role in the latter, she received the 2003 Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut.^[2]

She was married to model Priyanshu Chatterjee but they divorced in 2001.^[3]

Television[link]

• Cats as Tanya
• Hum Dono as Piyasha Narang/Amita

Filmography[link]

• Raaz (2002) as Malini/Mad Girl/Evil Spirit

References[link]

External links[link]

• Malini Sharma at the Internet Movie Database

This article about an Indian actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Dino Morea
Born	(1975-12-09) 9 December 1975 (age 36) Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Occupation	Actor, Model
Website
http://www.dinomorea.net

Dino Morea (Hindi: डीनो मोरिया; born 9 December 1975)^[1] is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films and a former model.

Early life[link]

Dino Morea was born in Bangalore, India to an Italian father and an Anglo-Indian mother.^[2] He is the second of three brothers. Nicolo Morea is his older brother, and Santino Morea is his younger brother.^[2] His family moved to Bangalore, Karnataka in 1996.^[3] He attended and graduated from St. Josephs College in Bangalore and also went to Army Public School, Bangalore and Bangalore Military School (now Rashtriya Military School). He was first noticed when he was modeling for a fashion company, and he soon received his first film offer.^[2]

Career[link]

Morea was supermodel and made his acting debut in Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi opposite Rinke Khanna, which was a flop, but he got his breakthrough roles with Rajiv Menon's Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain, the 2002 horror film Raaz and the thriller, Gunaah.^[3] His other prominent films include, Baaz: A Bird in Danger, Sssshhh..., Rakht and Acid Factory.^[1] He was a contestant of reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi in 2010.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Dino Morea at the Internet Movie Database
• InsideDesi Interview with Dino Morea
• Dino Morea signed up to endorse innerwear brand Oscar

Rakhi Sawant
Rakhi Sawant at a talk show with Kapil Dev for Aaj Tak channel.
Born	(1978-11-25) November 25, 1978 (age 33) Worli,Mumbai, India
Residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Actress, Television presenter, Dancer
Years active	1997–Present

Rakhi Sawant (Hindi: राखी सावंत) (born on 25 November^[1] 1978^[2][3]) is an Indian dancer, Hindi film and television actress, model and television talk show host. She has appeared in many Hindi films and few Kannada, Marathi, Telugu and Tamil films in roles commonly attributed to item girls. She has converted to Christianity.^[4]

Early Life[link]

Rakhi was born as Neeru Bheda to Jaya Bheda. who married Sawant, a police constable at Worli Police Station, and gave her children her second husband's name Sawant. Rakhi attended Goklibai High School in the Vile Parle suburb of Mumbai and later studied at Mithibai College. She is the sister of film director Rakesh Sawant and former actress Usha Sawant.

Career[link]

In 1997, Rakhi debuted with the unnoticed film Agnnichakra as Ruhi Sawant. She continued acting in some low-budget Bollywood films. She did small roles & dance numbers as a junior artist in films like Joru Ka Ghulam, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain & Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke and went unnoticed.

In 2003, she auditioned for an item number in the Bollywood movie, Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne. She auditioned about four times before being finally selected for her breakthrough item number, "Mohabbat Hai Mirchi", composed by Himesh Reshammiya. She also bagged a small role in the movie for which she gained visibility. After that, Rakhi acted in small roles in some more films including Masti & Main Hoon Na

In 2005, she appeared in the music video "Pardesia" of music album D.J. Hot Remix-Vol.3 & gained popularity for her dancing abilities. After this song, she featured in music videos of many other music albums & Bollywood item numbers.

Television Debut & Success (2006–Present)[link]

In June 2006, Mika Singh, atried to kiss her at his birthday party, which converted into a major media controversy.^[5]. A few months later, she appeared in the first season of the reality show Bigg Boss and was among the top four finalists. She received wider notice as a contestant for her dramatic fights with her housemates in Big Boss's house.^{[citation needed]} In 2007, Rakhi made her singing debut in the album titled Super Girl launched by Venus Records & Tapes Pvt. Ltd. In 2008, She won Yeh Hai Jalwa, a dance-based reality show which aired on 9X. She was the leader of her group named 'Chillar Party'. In 2009, Sawant launched her reality show Rakhi Ka Swayamwar in which she planned to select her future husband by the ancient ritual of Swayamvar. The show became the highest rated in the history of the Imagine TV channel with both its premiere and finale setting records. On 2 August 2009 she chose her life partner, a contestant from Toronto, Canada, Elesh Parujanwala. However, during the finale of the reality show Pati, Patni Aur Woh several months later, Sawant announced that the couple had separated due to irreconcilable differences. She has appeared in number of reality shows as a host, contestant or judge and has become a controversial television personality. In May 2012, she announced that she would be working in the Bengali remake of the film The Dirty Picture.^[6]

Film Career[link]

Item Numbers[link]

Music Videos[link]

Acting Career[link]

Television Career[link]

Guest Appearances[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Rakhi Sawant at the Internet Movie Database

Lara Dutta Bhupathi
Lara Dutta in 2012
Born	(1978-04-16) 16 April 1978 (age 34) Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Occupation	Actress, Producer, Model
Years active	2001–present
Spouse	Mahesh Bhupathi (2011–present)
Website
mylaradutta.com

Lara Dutta Bhupathi (born 16 April 1978) is an Indian Bollywood actress and former Miss Universe (2000).^[1]

She made her Hindi debut in 2003 with the film Andaaz which was a box office success and won her a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. Her box office hit successes include a series of comedies Masti (2004), No Entry (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007) and Housefull (2010). Her recent film Don 2 (2011) is a major commercial success in the domestic and international markets.

Early life[link]

Dutta was born in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh to an Indian father and an Anglo-Indian mother.^[1] Her father is Wing Commander L.K. Dutta (retired) and her mother is Jennifer Dutta. She also has two elder sisters, Sabrina, who serves in the Indian Air Force and a well known younger sister Cheryl. Composer and DJ Nitin Sawhney is Dutta's cousin.^[2] The Dutta family moved to Bangalore in 1981 where she completed high school from St.Francis Xavier Girls' High School and the Frank Anthony Public School. Dutta graduated in economics with a minor in communications from the University of Mumbai. She is fluent in English, Hindi, Kannada, and French.^{[citation needed]}

Pageantry[link]

Dutta won the annual Gladrags modeling competition in her native India, thus winning the right to be the first Indian representative at the 1997 Miss Intercontinental, in which she took first place. Later, she was crowned Femina Miss India Universe.^[3]

At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, she achieved the highest score in the swimsuit competition and her finalist interview score was the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest, as her interview saw a majority of the judges giving her the maximum 9.99 mark.^[4] After her final question, in which she delivered a defense of the Miss Universe contest (and other beauty pageants), she became the second Indian Miss Universe. Dutta's win led to her appointment as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.^[5]

In the same year, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza won their respective Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific titles which gave India a rare triple victory in the world of beauty pageants.^[4][6]

Acting career[link]

Dutta signed up for the Tamil film, Arasatchi in 2002, but due to financial problems, it was only released in mid-2004. She made her Hindi debut in 2003 with the film Andaaz which was a box office success and won her a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. She then appeared in a number of films, some of which failed at the box office and some of which were moderately successful. Her box office "hits" include Masti (2004), No Entry (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), Housefull (2010) and Don 2: The King Is Back (2011).

In 2006, she starred in the comedy, Bhagam Bhag which did well at the box office.^[7]

In 2005, Sania Mirza and Dutta both participated in Kaun Banega Crorepati (season 2) on 13 November 2005.^[8] Dutta's first release of 2007 was Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. The film was a box office failure in India but did better overseas, especially in the U.K.^[9] She received mixed reviews for her performance in the film. Her later release, Partner opened to a good response and became a hit.^[10]

Her 2009 release, Blue, was one of the most expensive movies of Indian cinema. Dutta had initially walked away from the project because the movie was entirely shot in the ocean and she did not know how to swim. However the male protagonist Akshay Kumar encouraged her in learning how to swim and she immediately started training with a special coach. Blue was released on 16 October 2009.^[11] She stated that "The moment I got to know of it, I called Akshay and told him that I wouldn't be able to accept the assignment. He knew the reason behind my decision. Not many people are aware that I had almost drowned while shooting for Andaaz, Akshay had rescued me. When I reminded him I couldn't swim, he told me to forget my phobia and learn swimming pronto," said Dutta. "Today, I feel Blue has not merely made me overcome my phobias, but has also taught me something that will stay with me for the rest of my life".^[11]

Her 2010 release Housefull was a Super hit across India. The movie starred Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone and Riteish Deshmukh. It was the 5th biggest hit in the country with Rs 114 Crores of gross revenue .^[12] She played the role of Hetal Petal, one of the main characters in the movie.

In 2011, her first movie as a producer (Chalo Dilli) was released.^{[citation needed]} She then played Ayesha (Don's girlfriend and accomplice in the team) in the movie Don 2: The King Is Back.^{[citation needed]}

Following her post-pregnancy break from Hindi cinema, Lara Dutta has recently signed a new movie entitled David. Filming will start by August, 2012 and she will have a very important role in the movie according to its director, Bejoy Nambiar. ^[13]. The movie will also star Vikram, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Tabu & Isha Sharvani.

Personal life[link]

In September 2010, Dutta became engaged to Indian tennis player, Mahesh Bhupathi.^[14][15] They married on February 16, 2011 in a civil ceremony in Bandra,^[16] and later followed it by a Christian ceremony on 20 February 2011 at Sunset Point in Goa.^[17]

On 1 August 2011, Dutta confirmed that she is pregnant with their first child.^[18]On 20 January 2012 it was confirmed by Bhupathi via a popular networking site that Dutta had given birth to a baby girl, they have named her Saira. She also has three nieces whom she is incredibly fond of, Varsha, along with children Michelle and Anushka. ^[19]

Filmography[link]

Awards[link]

Wins

• 2004: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female, Andaaz
• 2004: Filmfare Best Female Debut Award, Andaaz (joint winner with Priyanka Chopra)
• 2008: Rajiv Gandhi awards (female contribution to film cinema)

Nominations

• 2006: IIFA Awards Best supporting actress for No Entry
• 2009: Stardust Awards Best Actress for Billu

See also[link]

• Miss Universe 2000

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Lara Dutta at the Internet Movie Database

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lara Dutta

Awards and titles for Lara Dutta Awards and achievements Preceded by Gul Panag Femina Miss India 2000 Succeeded by Celina Jaitley v t e Miss Universe titleholders (2000–2019) Lara Dutta (2000) Denise Quiñones (2001) Justine Pasek (2002) Amelia Vega (2003) Jennifer Hawkins (2004) Natalie Glebova (2005) Zuleyka Rivera (2006) Riyo Mori (2007) Dayana Mendoza (2008) Stefanía Fernández (2009) Ximena Navarrete (2010) Leila Lopes (2011) Complete list (1952–1959) (1960–1979) (1980–1999) (2000–2019) v t e Miss Universe Organization titleholders (2000) Miss Universe Lara Dutta Miss USA Lynnette Cole Miss Teen USA Jillian Parry Miss Universe Organization titleholders of 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 v t e Major international pageant titleholders (2000) Miss Universe Lara Dutta Miss World Priyanka Chopra Miss International Vivian Urdaneta Major international pageants titleholders of 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 v t e Miss India winners in the Grand Slam pageants Miss Universe Sushmita Sen (1994) · Lara Dutta (2000) Miss World Reita Faria (1966) · Aishwarya Rai (1994) · Diana Hayden (1997) · Yukta Mookhey (1999) · Priyanka Chopra (2000) Miss Asia Pacific Zeenat Aman (1970) · Tara Anne Fonseca (1973) · Dia Mirza (2000) Miss Earth Nicole Faria (2010) Miss International - Dominican Republic India Panamá Philippines Puerto Rico USA Venezuela v t e Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut 1989–2000 Juhi Chawla (1989) Bhagyashree (1990) Pooja Bhatt (1991) Raveena Tandon (1992) Divya Bharti (1993) Mamta Kulkarni (1994) Sonali Bendre & Tabu (1995) Twinkle Khanna (1996) Seema Biswas (1997) Mahima Chaudhry (1998) Preity Zinta (1999) Nandita Das (2000) 2001–present Kareena Kapoor (2001) Bipasha Basu (2002) Esha Deol (2003) Lara Dutta & Priyanka Chopra (2004) Ayesha Takia (2005) Vidya Balan (2006) Kangana Ranaut (2007) Deepika Padukone (2008) Asin (2009) Jacqueline Fernandez (2010) Sonakshi Sinha (2011) Parineeti Chopra (2012)