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Greek colonization, much like the colonization of Africa and Asia by European powers in the early twentieth century, was an act of achieving land, recourses, and influence, and thus, power. The eventual expansion of the Greek Empire was unique, however, in that it was one of the first major exercises of colonization ever noted in the history of civilization. A number of things, but most notably, the shortages in the existing territories (both land and recourses), the desire for new trade routes, and the re-emergence of the written language facilitated the Greek expansion.
Prior to the widespread colonization by the Greeks, existing cities were growing by population and exhausting the land around them. Traditional plots of land reserved for Greek citizens were becoming smaller, and in some cases, non-existent. It was clear to those in leadership positions that overcrowding was becoming a rampant problem for the Greek cities, and in order to facilitate it, more land was needed.
The need for land, however, is not necessarily the primary reason for the Greek expansion. As previously noted, economic reasons were prevalent, also. In his book, The Greeks Overseas, Boardman notes that, "...geography and commonsense combine to suggest that trade normally preceded the flag...
He notes that they were located in positions conducive to trade (both by sea and land) (Boardman, 162). The new colonies often were located at defensible positions, such as steep cliffs, peninsulas, and offshore islands (Boardman 162). Cities were also located in positions to take advantage of newfound trade routes, such as the Straits of Messina (Boardman 163). This body of water facilitated the trade of many highly desirable recourses, like iron, copper, and other valuable metals (Boardman 163).
Further proof that colonization was based primarily upon economic, rather than "expansion" needs, was the relative disregard for farmland in the new colonies. The steep cliffs, peninsulas, and offshore islands in which they were developed were not conducive to agriculture, and consequently, growth. Boardman does not downplay the importance of food supply for the colonists, but he suggests that cultivatable land was usually a second priority (163).
The colonization by the Greeks was a suprisingly fast and successful endeavor. The trend…
Works Cited
Boardman, John. The Greeks Overseas. New York: Thames and Hudson. 1982.
Murray, Oswyn. Early Greece. Cambridge: Harvard UP. 1993.
Osborne, Robin. Greece in the Making. New York: Routledge. 1996.
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