Greece is located in southeastern Europe and is considered the “cradle of civilization.” Ancient Greek thinkers include Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Herodotus, Thucydides, Sophocles, and Euripides. Its modern capital is Athens, and the region is largely mountainous with Mount Olympus being its highest peak. The ancient Olympic games began in Olympia, Greece in 776 BCE, and the first modern Olympic games in 1896 were held in Athens (as well as the 2004 games). In the nineteenth century, Greece fought for independence from Ottoman rule. The British poet Lord Byron famously became involved in the Greek fight for independence.