Greek Colonization

When did the colonization of Asia Minor happen?

1200-1000 BC

When were the Black Sea and the Mediterranean colonised?

750-550 BC

When did Corinth found Syracuse?

c. 733 BC

When did Phokaia found Massalia, Nicaea, and Emporion?

c. 600-580 BC

Which major Greek polises were not major colonisers?

Athens and Sparta

What were the 3 main groups of colonising cities?

1) Corinth and Megara on Isthmus

2) Chalkis and Eretria on Euboea

3) Miletus and Phokaia in Asia Minor

Where did Miletus and the Ionians colonise?

Egypt and the Black Sea

Where did the Euboeans and Corinth colonise?

Magna Graecia

Where did Megara colonise?

Hellespont

What were some of the reasons for colonization?

Trade and commercial possibilities

Overpopulation and land shortage

External pressure (from Persians and Tyranny?)

Civil strife

Individual glory

How was the οικιστες honoured in his colony?

There was a cult in his honour and he was the only person permitted to be buried in the αγορα.

What did the οικιστες do to found his colony?

He chose the location of its main buildings and its governmental structure, and helped to form its unique cultural identity.

What needed to be done before a colony could be founded?

From the 6th century BC onwards, a potential οικιστες had to consult the Delphic Oracle to see if the gods were favourable to its foundation.

How did Greek colonisers treat the native population?

Well and equally, often intermarrying: Massalia and Vix

With conflict: Athens killing men and taking women of Miletos

Going native: Gelonoi - Greeks among Scythians, spoke half Greek, half Scythian. Had a festival where they mourned the loss of their anicent culture.

αποικια

colony, home away from home

Chalkis

Greek city on the island of Euboia

Corinth and Megara

Greek cities on the Isthmus

Doreius

Spartan colony, founded colonies in Libya and Sicily (6th century)

Emporion

Phokaian colony - modern Ampurias

Eretria

Greek city near Chalkis and the island of Euboia

Magna Graecia

Greek colonies of Sicily and south Italy

Massalia

Phokaian colony - modern Marseilles

Miletus and Phokaia

Greek cities of western Asia Minor

Naukratis

Ionian colony in Egypt

οικιστες

founder

Pytheas

Explorer from Massalia, late 4th century BC

Taras

Spartan colony - modern Taranto

Vix Burial

Wealthy Celtic burial, c. 500 BC.