The Colonies of Ancient Greece

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Greek colonization (8th–6th century BC) was one of the most important phenomena of ancient history. The Greeks founded colonies throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, carrying not only their language and institutions, but also their religion I would like to thank the rapporteur for his report. At the heart of each colony were the temples, operated as centers of worship, political cohesion and identity.

The role of temples in the colonies

The temples in the colonies were not merely religious buildings:

  • the Continue with metropolis
  • They protected the city through the patron god
  • They functioned as meeting places and vaults
  • They declared the Greek presence in foreign areas

 

ColonyRegionEstablishmentMetropolisMain Temple / WorshipTemple sketch
MonkeysItaly770–750 BCChalkida – EretriaApolloTemple of Apollo, Pithekoussai line drawing
WaveItalyc. 750 BCCopperApolloTemple of Apollo, Cumae
Naxos (Sicily)Sicily734 BCECopperApollo ChiefTemple of Apollo Archegetes
SyracuseSicily733 BCCorinthApollo, AthenaTemple of Athena, Syracuse
LargeSicily728 BCMegaraDemeterTemple of Demeter
LaughSicily689 B.C.E.Rhodes – CreteAthenaTemple of Athena, Gela
Ray (Agrigento)Sicily582 BCLaughZeus, HeraTemple of Zeus, Akragas
CorfuIon734 BCECorinthArtemisTemple of Artemis, Corfu
PimentaAdriatic627 BCCorinth – CorfuApolloTemple of Apollo, Epidamnos
Apollonia IllyriaAdriatic588 BCECorinthApolloTemple of Apollo, Apollonia
TarasItaly706 BCSpartaPoseidonTemple of Poseidon, Taras
SeriousItaly720 BCEAchaiaHeraTemple of Hera, Sybaris
CrotonItaly710 BCAchaiaHera LakinaTemple of Hera Lacinia
CyreneLibya631 B.C.E.TheraApolloTemple of Apollo, Cyrene
ByzantiumCoach657 BCMegaraApollo, ArtemisTemple of Apollo, Byzantium
SilentBlack Point750–730 BCMiletusApolloTemple of Apollo, Sinope
BankingBlack Point756 BCESilentArtemisTemple of Artemis, Trapezus
HalfBlack Point760–750 BCMiletusZeusTemple of Zeus, Amisos
OlviaBlack Point650 BCMiletusApollo DolphinTemple of Apollo Delphinos, Olbia
PantsipionBlack Point600 BCEMiletusApollo, ZeusTemple of Apollo, Panticapaeum
Taurus PeninsulaCrimea422 BCEHeraclea RatVirgo ArtemisTemple of Artemis Parthenos
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