Greek Colonization

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: What are three famous Greek colonies?

Three famous Greek colonies are Ephesus, Massalia (modern Marseille), and Byzantium (modern Istanbul),

Q: 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.

Mark Cartwright

Definition

From around 800 BCE, ancient Greek city-states, most of which were maritime powers, began to look beyond Greece for land and resources. As a consequence, they founded colonies across the Mediterranean. Trade was usually the first step in the colonization process and then, after local populations were subdued or included within the colony, cities were established.

More about: Greek Colonization

Timeline

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

Greek Colonization

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Definition

Timeline