Greek Colonization: What Happened
From around 750 to 550 BC, Greeks spread across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, founding hundreds of new cities in a movement known as Greek colonization. Growing populations, shortages of farmland, trade opportunities and political conflicts at home pushed groups of settlers to leave their mother cities. Before setting out, founders often consulted the Oracle of Delphi for guidance. Each colony was usually an independent city with its own government, though it kept religious and emotional ties to the city that founded it. Corinth founded Syracuse in Sicily, Megara founded Byzantium on the Bosporus, Phocaea founded Massalia in southern France, and Miletus alone founded dozens of colonies around the Black Sea. So many Greek cities grew up in southern Italy and Sicily that the region became known as Magna Graecia, or Great Greece. Colonization spread the Greek language, alphabet, religion, art and way of life from Spain to Crimea. Many of the cities founded in this period still exist today, including Marseille, Naples and Istanbul.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Greek colonization?
Greek colonization was the founding of hundreds of new Greek cities around the Mediterranean and Black Sea between about 750 and 550 BC. Each colony was usually an independent city linked to its mother city.
Why did the ancient Greeks found colonies?
Greeks founded colonies because of growing populations, shortages of farmland, opportunities for trade and political conflicts at home. Founders often consulted the Oracle of Delphi before setting out.
What is Magna Graecia?
Magna Graecia, meaning Great Greece, was the name for the Greek cities of southern Italy and Sicily, such as Syracuse, Taranto and Naples. So many Greeks settled there that the region became part of the Greek world.
Which modern cities were founded by Greeks?
Modern cities founded as Greek colonies include Marseille in France, Naples in Italy, Syracuse in Sicily and Istanbul, originally Byzantium. Many Black Sea cities also began as Greek colonies.
Which Greek city founded the most colonies?
Miletus, in Ionia, is said to have founded dozens of colonies, especially around the Black Sea. Corinth, Chalcis, Eretria, Megara and Phocaea were also major founders of colonies.
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