---
title: Greek and Phoenician Colonization
author: Kelly Macquire
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/68/greek-and-phoenician-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 and Phoenician Colonization

_Authored by [Kelly Macquire](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/kelly.mac144/)_

## Image File

[![Greek and Phoenician Colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/68.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/68.png)

## Image Caption

Both the ancient Greeks and [Phoenicians](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/) extensively colonized vast areas of [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/), along the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) and Black Sea coasts. In doing so, they spread their [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/), which strongly influenced the local tribes. For the Greeks, this is called “Hellenization”. 
 
The Greeks mainly focused their [colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/colonization/) efforts on [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) and the Black Sea. Especially [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) was a major [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) colony, with the bustling [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) port Syracus at its center. Greek influence was also felt in [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/), and the northern [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/). As these regions were also targeted by [Phoenician colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Phoenician_Colonization/), the cultures did not always mix peacefully, which sparked conflict between them. The probably least known fact is that [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) set up colonies as far north as the Crimea (in modern-day Ukraine), and expeditions to the Caucasus region were not unknown ([Jason and the Argonauts](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/425/jason--the-argonauts/) comes to mind, stealing the [Golden Fleece](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Fleece/) of Kolchis). 
 
Phoenician colonization was more focused on the western Mediterranean. The probably most prominent and important Phoenician colony is [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/). From there, Phoenicians set up colonies all along the north African coast and in modern-day Spain. While the [Greek colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Colonization/) was very much concerned with spreading [Hellenic](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) culture, the Phoenicians were traders, and more concerned with making money. While many Phoenician colonies disappeared and were taken over by other cultures after the decline of [Phoenicia](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/), Carthage outlasted the Phoenician [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/)… and rose to become an even stronger power in the western Mediterranean, which would eventually bring fear into the citizens of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image 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/).

## About the Author

Kelly is a graduate from Monash University who has completed her BA (Honours) in Ancient History and Archaeology, focussing on iconography and status in Pylos burials. She has a passion for mythology and the Aegean Bronze Age.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Macquire, K. (2012, April 26). Greek and Phoenician Colonization. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/68/greek-and-phoenician-colonization/>
### Chicago
Macquire, Kelly. "Greek and Phoenician Colonization." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 26, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/68/greek-and-phoenician-colonization/>.
### MLA
Macquire, Kelly. "Greek and Phoenician Colonization." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Apr 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/68/greek-and-phoenician-colonization/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Kelly Macquire](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/kelly.mac144/ "User Page: Kelly Macquire"), published on 26 April 2012. 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.