Magna Graecia Timeline

Definition

Magna Graecia (Megalē Hellas) refers to the coastal areas of southern Italy which were colonized by various ancient Greek city-states from the 8th to 5th centuries BCE. Sicily, although also a region of Greek colonization, is not usually included in this area. However, later writers such as Strabo did include Sicily as the term came to signify the entire Greek world.

More about: Magna Graecia

Timeline

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.
720 BCE
Metapontum in Magna Graecia is found by Achaeans.
c. 720 BCE
Sybaris in Magna Graecia founded by Archaean settlers.
c. 710 BCE
Croton in Magna Graecia founded by Archaean settlers.
706 BCE
Sparta founds the colony of Tarentum in Magna Graecia.
c. 580 BCE
Agrigento in Sicily is founded by colonists from Gela, Crete and Rhodes.
570 BCE - 530 BCE
The Doric Temple of Hera is built at Metapontum, Magna Graecia.
c. 540 BCE
Phocaea founds Elea in Magna Graecia.
491 BCE - 478 BCE
Reign of Gelon, tyrant of Gela on Sicily.
490 BCE
Tarentum wins victories against the Messapians and Peucetians in Magna Graecia.
c. 489 BCE - c. 473 BCE
The tyrant Theron rules Agrigento.
480 BCE
Tarentum wins victories against the Messapians and Peucetians in Magna Graecia.
480 BCE
Agrigento defeats Carthage at the battle of Himera.
c. 480 BCE
The huge temple of Zeus is built at Agrigento.
c. 475 BCE
The Messapians inflict a heavy defeat on Tarentum in Magna Graecia.
450 BCE - 430 BCE
The Temple of Concordia is built at Agrigento.
c. 443 BCE
Thurii in Magna Graecia founded by Athenian settlers.
440 BCE
Brundisium and Thurii form an alliance in southern Italy.
433 BCE
The colony of Heraclea in Magna Graecia is founded by Tarentum.
433 BCE
Tarentum founds Heraclea in Magna Graecia.
406 BCE
Agrigento is attacked and destroyed by Carthage.
338 BCE
Timoleon agrees a peace treaty with Carthage over their control of Sicily.
282 BCE
Gela, on Sicily, is destroyed by Phintias, the tyrant of Agrigento.
270 BCE
Rome occupies Tarentum in Magna Graecia.
262 BCE
Rome besieges and sacks Agrigento on Sicily in one of the first actions of the First Punic War.
210 BCE
Rome attacks Agrigento.
209 BCE
Tarentum comes under Roman control during the Second Punic War.
89 BCE
All poleis or city-states in Magna Graecia come under Roman control.
c. 470 CE - c. 385 CE
Life of the philosopher Philolaus, active in Magna Graecia.