---
title: Greek Colonization
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Colonization/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Greek Colonization

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

From around 800 BCE, ancient [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states, most of which were maritime powers, began to look beyond [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) for land and resources. As a consequence, they founded colonies across the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/). [Trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) was usually the first step in the [colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/colonization/) process and then, after local populations were subdued or included within the colony, [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) were established.

These could have varying degrees of contact with the homeland, but most became fully independent city-states, sometimes very Greek in character, in other cases culturally closer to the indigenous peoples they neighboured and included within their citizenry. One of the most important consequences of this process, in broad terms, was that the movement of goods, people, art, and ideas in this period spread the Greek way of life far and wide to Spain, France, [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/), the Adriatic, the Black Sea, and North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/). In total then, the Greeks established some 500 colonies which involved up to 60,000 Greek citizen colonists, so that by 500 BCE these new territories would eventually account for 40% of all Greeks in the [Hellenic World](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/).

### Trade & Resource Opportunities

The Greeks were great sea-farers, and travelling across the Mediterranean, they were eager to discover new lands and new opportunities. Even [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/) included such tales of exploration as Jason and his search for the [Golden Fleece](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Fleece/) and that greatest of hero travellers [Odysseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/odysseus/). First the islands around Greece were colonized, for example, the first colony in the Adriatic was [Corcyra](https://www.worldhistory.org/corcyra/) ([Corfu](https://www.worldhistory.org/corcyra/)), founded by [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) in 733 BCE (traditional date), and then prospectors looked further afield. The first colonists in a general sense were traders and those small groups of individuals who sought to tap into new resources and start a new life away from the increasingly competitive and over-crowded homeland.

Trade centres and free markets (*emporia*) were the forerunners of colonies proper. Then, from the mid-8th to mid-6th centuries BCE, the Greek city-states (*[poleis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/)*) and individual groups started to expand beyond Greece with more deliberate and longer-term intentions. However, the process of colonization was likely more gradual and organic than ancient sources would suggest. It is also difficult to determine the exact degree of colonization and integration with local populations. Some areas of the Mediterranean saw fully-Greek *poleis* established, while in other areas there were only trading posts composed of more temporary residents such as merchants and sailors. The very term 'colonization' infers the domination of indigenous peoples, a feeling of cultural superiority by the colonizers, and a specific cultural homeland which controls and drives the whole process. This was not necessarily the case in the ancient Greek world and, therefore, in this sense, Greek colonization was a very different process from, for example, the policies of certain European powers in the 19th and 20th centuries CE. It is perhaps here then, a process better described as '[culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) contact' (De Angelis in Boyes-Stones et al, 51).

The establishment of colonies across the Mediterranean permitted the export of luxury goods such as fine [Greek pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Pottery/), wine, oil, metalwork, and textiles, and the extraction of wealth from the land - timber, metals, and [agriculture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Agriculture/) (notably grain, dried fish, and leather), for example - and they often became lucrative trading hubs and a source of slaves. A founding city (*metropolis*) might also set up a colony in order to establish a military presence in a particular region and so protect lucrative sea routes. Also, colonies could provide a vital bridge to inland trade opportunities. Some colonies even managed to rival the greatest founding cities; [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/), for example, eventually became the largest *[polis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/)* in the entire Greek world. Finally, it is important to note that the Greeks did not have the field to themselves, and rival civilizations also established colonies, especially the [Etruscans](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) and [Phoenicians](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/), and sometimes, inevitably, [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) broke out between these great powers.

### [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/)

Greek cities were soon attracted by the fertile land, natural resources, and good harbours of a 'New World' - southern Italy and [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/). The Greek colonists eventually subdued the local population and stamped their identity on the region to such an extent that they called it 'Greater Greece' or *Megalē Hellas*, and it would become the most 'Greek' of all the colonized territories, both in terms of culture and the urban landscape with Doric temples being the most striking symbol of Hellenization. Some of the most important *poleis* in Italy were:

- Cumae (the first Italian colony, founded c. 740 BCE by Chalcis & Kyme)
- [Naxos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Naxos/) (734 BCE, Chalcis)
- Sybaris (c. 720 BCE, Achaean/Troezen)
- Croton (c. 710 BCE, Achaean)
- [Tarentum](https://www.worldhistory.org/tarentum/) (706 BCE, [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/))
- Rhegium (c. 720 BCE, Chalcis)
- Elea (c. 540 BCE, Phocaea)
- Thurri (c. 443 BCE, [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/))
- Heraclea (433 BCE, Tarentum)

On Sicily the main colonies included:

- Syracuse (733 BCE, founded by Corinth)
- [Gela](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gela/) (688 BCE, [Rhodes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhodes/) and [Crete](https://www.worldhistory.org/crete/))
- Selinous (c. 630 BCE)
- Himera (c. 630 BCE, Messana)
- [Akragas](https://www.worldhistory.org/agrigento/) (c. 580 BCE, Gela)

The geographical location of these new colonies in the centre of the Mediterranean meant they could prosper as trade centres between the major cultures of the time: the Greek, [Etruscan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/), and Phoenician civilizations. And prosper they did, so much so that writers told of the vast riches and extravagant lifestyles to be seen. Empedokles, for example, described the pampered citizens and fine temples of Akragas ([Agrigento](https://www.worldhistory.org/agrigento/)) in Sicily as follows; "the Akragantinians revel as if they must die tomorrow, and build as if they would live forever". Colonies even established off-shoot colonies and trading posts themselves and, in this way, spread Greek influence further afield, including higher up the Adriatic coast of Italy. Even North Africa saw colonies established, notably [Cyrene](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyrene/) by [Thera](https://www.worldhistory.org/thera/) in c. 630 BCE, and so it became clear that Greek colonists would not restrict themselves to Magna Graecia.

[ ![Greek and Phoenician Colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/68.png?v=1761504365) Greek and Phoenician Colonization Kelly Macquire (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/68/greek-and-phoenician-colonization/ "Greek and Phoenician Colonization")### [Ionia](https://www.worldhistory.org/ionia/)

Greeks created settlements along the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/) coast of Ionia (or [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/)) from the 8th century BCE. Important colonies included Miletos, [Ephesos](https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/), Smyrna, and [Halikarnassos](https://www.worldhistory.org/halicarnassus/). Athens traditionally claimed to be the first colonizer in the region which was also of great interest to the Lydians and Persians. The area became a hotbed of cultural endeavour, especially in [science](https://www.worldhistory.org/science/), mathematics, and [philosophy](https://www.worldhistory.org/philosophy/), and produced some of the greatest of Greek minds. Art and architectural styles too, assimilated from the east, began to influence the homeland; such features as palmed [column](https://www.worldhistory.org/column/) capitals, sphinxes, and expressive 'orientalising' [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/) designs would inspire Greek architects and artists to explore entirely new artistic avenues.

### France & Spain

The main colonising *polis* of southern France was Phocaea which established the important colonies of Alalia and Massalia (c. 600 BCE). The city also established colonies, or at least established an extensive trade network, in southern Spain. Notable *poleis* established here were Emporion (by Massalia and with a traditional founding date of 575 BCE but more likely several decades later) and Rhode. Colonies in Spain were less typically Greek in culture than those in other areas of the Mediterranean, competition with the Phoenicians was fierce, and the region seems always to have been considered, at least according to the Greek literary sources, a distant and remote land by mainland Greeks.

### The Black Sea

The Black Sea (Euxine Sea to the Greeks) was the last area of Greek colonial expansion, and it was where Ionian *poleis*, in particular, sought to exploit the rich fishing grounds and fertile land around the Hellespont and Pontos. The most important founding city was Miletos which was credited in antiquity with having a perhaps exaggerated 70 colonies. The most important of these were:

- Kyzikos (founded 675 BCE)
- Sinope (c. 631 BCE)
- Pantikapaion (c. 600 BCE)
- Olbia (c. 550 BCE)

[Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/) was another important mother city and founded Chalcedon (c. 685 BCE), [Byzantium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantium/) (668 BCE), and [Herakleia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Herakleia/) Pontike (560 BCE). Eventually, almost the entire Black Sea was enclosed by Greek colonies even if, as elsewhere, warfare, compromises, inter-marriages, and diplomacy had to be used with indigenous peoples in order to ensure the colonies' survival. In the late 6th century BCE particularly, the colonies provided tribute and arms to the [Persian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Persian_Empire/) and received protection in return. After [Xerxes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Xerxes_I/)' failed invasion of Greece in 480 and 479 BCE, the Persians withdrew their interest in the area which allowed the larger *poleis* like Herakleia Pontike and Sinope to increase their own power through the [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of local populations and smaller neighbouring *poleis*. The resulting prosperity also allowed Herakleia to found colonies of her own in the 420s BCE at such sites as Chersonesos in the Crimea.

From the beginning of the [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/) in 431 BCE, Athens took an interest in the region, sending colonists and establishing garrisons. An Athenian physical presence was short-lived, but longer-lasting was an Athenian influence on culture (especially [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/)) and trade (especially of Black Sea grain). With the eventual withdrawal of Athens, the Greek colonies were left to fend for themselves and meet alone the threat from neighbouring powers such as the Royal [Scythians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Scythians/) and, ultimately, [Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/macedon/) and [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/).

[ ![Greek & Phoenician Colonies](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/108.jpg?v=1719831011) Greek & Phoenician Colonies Benowar et al. (GNU FDL) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/108/greek--phoenician-colonies/ "Greek & Phoenician Colonies")### Relationship with the Homeland

Most colonies were built on the political model of the Greek *polis*, but types of government included those seen across Greece itself - oligarchy, tyranny, and even democracy - and they could be quite different from the system in the founder, parent city. A strong Greek cultural identity was also maintained via the adoption of founding myths and such wide-spread and quintessentially Greek features of daily life as language, food, education, [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/), sport and the [gymnasium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gymnasium/), [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/) with its distinctive [Greek tragedy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Tragedy/) and comedy plays, art, [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/), philosophy, and science. So much so that a Greek city in Italy or Ionia could, at least on the surface, look and behave very much like any other city in Greece. Trade greatly facilitated the establishment of a common 'Greek' way of life. Such goods as wine, olives, wood, and pottery were exported and imported between *poleis*. Even artists and architects themselves relocated and set up workshops away from their home *polis*, so that temples, sculpture, and ceramics became recognisably Greek across the Mediterranean.

Colonies did establish their own regional identities, of course, especially as they very often included indigenous people with their own particular customs, so that each region of colonies had their own idiosyncrasies and variations. In addition, frequent changes in the qualifications to become a citizen and forced resettlement of populations meant colonies were often more culturally diverse and politically unstable than in Greece itself and civil wars thus had a higher frequency. Nevertheless, some colonies did extraordinarily well, and many eventually outdid the founding Greek superpowers.

[ ![Silver Stater, Metapontum](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3191.jpg?v=1772193665) Silver Stater, Metapontum Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3191/silver-stater-metapontum/ "Silver Stater, Metapontum")Colonies often formed alliances with like-minded neighbouring *poleis*. There were, conversely, also conflicts between colonies as they established themselves as powerful and fully independent *poleis*, in no way controlled by their founding [city-state](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/). Syracuse in Sicily was a typical example of a larger *polis* which constantly sought to expand its territory and create an [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) of its own. Colonies which went on to subsequently establish colonies of their own and who minted their own [coinage](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) only reinforced their cultural and political independence.

Although colonies could be fiercely independent, they were at the same time expected to be active members of the wider Greek world. This could be manifested in the supply of soldiers, ships, and money for Panhellenic conflicts such as those against [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/) and the Peloponnesian [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/), the sending of athletes to the great sporting games at places like [Olympia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympia/) and [Nemea](https://www.worldhistory.org/nemea/), the setting up of military victory monuments at [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/), the guarantee of safe passage to foreign travellers through their territory, or the export and import of intellectual and artistic ideas such as the works of [Pythagoras](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pythagoras/) or centres of study like [Plato](https://www.worldhistory.org/plato/)'s academy which attracted scholars from across the Greek world. Then, in times of trouble, colonies could also be helped out by their founding *polis* and allies, even if this might only be a pretext for the imperial ambitions of the larger Greek states. A classic example of this would be Athens' Sicilian Expedition in 415 BCE, officially at least, launched to aid the colony of [Segesta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Segesta/).

[ ![Map of the Trade Networks of the Ancient Mediterranean World](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/14421.png?v=1777804408-1777804438) Map of the Trade Networks of the Ancient Mediterranean World Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14421/map-of-the-trade-networks-of-the-ancient-mediterra/ "Map of the Trade Networks of the Ancient Mediterranean World")There was also the physical movement of travellers within the Greek world which is attested by evidence such as [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/) and drama, dedications left by pilgrims at sacred sites like [Epidaurus](https://www.worldhistory.org/epidaurus/), and participation in important annual religious festivals such as the Dionysia of Athens.

Different colonies had obviously different characteristics, but the collective effect of these habits just mentioned effectively ensured that a vast area of the Mediterranean acquired enough common characteristics to be aptly described as the Greek World. Further, the effect was long-lasting for, even today, one can still see common aspects of culture shared by the citizens of southern France, Italy, and Greece.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/)
- [Kinzl. *A Companion to the Classical Greek World.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1444334123/)

## About the Author

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## Timeline

- **c. 1200 BCE - c. 800 BCE**: First wave of [Phoenician colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Phoenician_Colonization/) where largely trading-posts are founded throughout the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/).
- **c. 1110 BCE**: Traditional founding date for the Phoenician colony of [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) ([Cadiz](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/)).
- **c. 1101 BCE**: Traditional founding date for the Phoenician colony of [Utica](https://www.worldhistory.org/Utica/) by [Sidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/sidon/) (or [Tyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tyre/)).
- **c. 814 BCE**: Traditional founding date for the Phoenician colony of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) by [Tyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tyre/).
- **c. 800 BCE - 600 BCE**: Second stage of [Phoenician colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Phoenician_Colonization/) where trading-posts become full colonies throughout the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/).
- **800 BCE - 500 BCE**: [Greek colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Colonization/) of the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) and Black Sea.
- **c. 750 BCE**: [Phoenicians](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/) found the colony of Motya on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **c. 740 BCE**: Chalcis and Kyme found the colony of Cumae in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/).
- **c. 740 BCE - c. 433 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [poleis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) or [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states establish colonies in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/).
- **734 BCE**: Chalcis founds the colony of [Naxos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Naxos/) on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **c. 733 BCE**: Traditional date when [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) founds a colony on [Corcyra](https://www.worldhistory.org/corcyra/).
- **733 BCE**: [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) founds the colony of [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/) in [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **720 BCE**: [Metapontum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Metapontum/) in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/) is found by Achaeans.
- **c. 720 BCE**: Chalcis founds the colony of Rhegium in [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **c. 720 BCE**: Sybaris in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/) founded by Archaean settlers.
- **c. 710 BCE**: Croton in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/) founded by Archaean settlers.
- **706 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) founds the colony of [Tarentum](https://www.worldhistory.org/tarentum/) in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/).
- **c. 700 BCE**: Settlers from mainland [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), possibly [Samos](https://www.worldhistory.org/samos/), settle on [Samothrace](https://www.worldhistory.org/Samothrace/).
- **c. 689 BCE**: [Rhodes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhodes/) and Cretans found [Gela](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gela/) in [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **c. 685 BCE**: [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/) founds the colony of Chalcedon.
- **675 BCE**: Miletos founds the colony of Kyzikos in the Black Sea area.
- **668 BCE**: [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/) founds the colony of [Byzantium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantium/).
- **c. 631 BCE**: Miletos founds the colony of Sinope in the Black Sea area.
- **631 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) colonists from the island of [Thera](https://www.worldhistory.org/thera/) found the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Cyrene](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyrene/) in North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/).
- **c. 630 BCE**: Messana founds the colony of Himera on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **c. 630 BCE**: [Selinus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Selinus/) is founded by colonists from [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/) Hyblaea, [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **c. 600 BCE**: Phocaea founds the colony of [Massilia](https://www.worldhistory.org/massilia/).
- **c. 600 BCE**: [Paestum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paestum/) is founded by colonists from Sybaris.
- **c. 600 BCE**: Miletos founds the colony of Pantikapaion in the Black Sea area.
- **c. 580 BCE**: [Agrigento](https://www.worldhistory.org/agrigento/) in [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) is founded by colonists from [Gela](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gela/), [Crete](https://www.worldhistory.org/crete/) and [Rhodes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhodes/).
- **580 BCE - 376 BCE**: [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) and [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) fight for dominance in [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **575 BCE**: Massalia founds the colony of Emporion in Spain.
- **560 BCE**: [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/) founds the colony of Herakleai Pontike in the Black Sea area.
- **c. 550 BCE**: Miletos founds the colony of Olbia in the Black Sea area.
- **c. 540 BCE**: Phocaea founds Elea in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/).
- **525 BCE**: Second wave of emigration of Greeks to [Massilia](https://www.worldhistory.org/massilia/).
- **500 BCE**: [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) expands into southern Spain.
- **c. 443 BCE**: Thurii in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/) founded by Athenian settlers.
- **c. 437 BCE**: [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) founds the colony of [Amphipolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amphipolis/) in northern Macedonia.
- **433 BCE**: [Tarentum](https://www.worldhistory.org/tarentum/) founds Heraclea in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/).
- **c. 420 BCE**: [Herakleia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Herakleia/) founds the colonies of Chersonesos in the Crimea.
- **415 BCE**: [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) launches an expedition against [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/), the pretext being protection of [Segesta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Segesta/).
- **396 BCE**: The Carthaginian [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Lilybaeum is founded on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **c. 300 BCE - c. 200 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) colonists set up an *emporion* ([trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) centre) at [Salona](https://www.worldhistory.org/Salona/).
- **44 BCE**: [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) founds the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) colony of [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/).

## Questions & Answers

### What countries dd the Greeks colonize?
The ancient Greeks colonized various parts of the Mediterranean: the coast of North Africa, southern Italy, Sicily, and eastern Turkey. They also colonized the shores of the Black Sea. 

### What caused Greek colonization?
Greek city-states created new colonies around the Mediterranean as a way to deal with over-population and to find new resources such as timber and metals. Many colonies began as trading posts with indigenous peoples. 

### What are three famous Greek colonies?
Three famous Greek colonies are Ephesus, Massalia (modern Marseille), and Byzantium (modern Istanbul),

### What were the consequences of Greek colonization?
The process of Greek colonization introduced Greek culture around the Mediterranean. Greek art, architecture, religion, and diet all became standard features of cultures around the Mediterranean coastline and this influence can still be seen today. 


## External Links

- [Ancient Greek Colonization and Trade and their Influence on Greek Art | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/angk/hd_angk.htm)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2018, May 07). Greek Colonization. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek\_Colonization/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Colonization/)
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Greek Colonization." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 07, 2018. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek\_Colonization/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Colonization/).
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Greek Colonization." *World History Encyclopedia*, 07 May 2018, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek\_Colonization/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Colonization/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 07 May 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.