Greek heraldry  Greek heraldry, though not as developed as in other countries, has an interesting history by drawing upon its Byzantine heritage and influences from the various western powers that have occupied Greek lands. Heraldry is therefore seen as a foreign concept, and is widespread mostly in the Ionian and Aegean Islands (former Venetian and Genoese possessions) and among the families of Phanariot origin  Ancient Greeks were among the first civilizations to use symbols consistently in order to identify a warrior, clan or a state. In Aeschylus’ tragedy "Seven Against Thebes" there is the first record of a shield blazon.