Illustration
Both the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians extensively colonized vast areas of Europe, along the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. In doing so, they spread their culture, which strongly influenced the local tribes. For the Greeks, this is called “Hellenization”.
The Greeks mainly focused their colonization efforts on Italy and the Black Sea. Especially Sicily was a major Greek colony, with the bustling trade port Syracus at its center. Greek influence was also felt in Cyprus, and the northern Levant. As these regions were also targeted by Phoenician colonization, the cultures did not always mix peacefully, which sparked conflict between them. The probably least known fact is that Greece set up colonies as far north as the Crimea (in modern-day Ukraine), and expeditions to the Caucasus region were not unknown (Jason and the Argonauts comes to mind, stealing the Golden Fleece of Kolchis).
Phoenician colonization was more focused on the western Mediterranean. The probably most prominent and important Phoenician colony is Carthage. From there, Phoenicians set up colonies all along the north African coast and in modern-day Spain. While the Greek colonization was very much concerned with spreading Hellenic culture, the Phoenicians were traders, and more concerned with making money. While many Phoenician colonies disappeared and were taken over by other cultures after the decline of Phoenicia, Carthage outlasted the Phoenician empire… and rose to become an even stronger power in the western Mediterranean, which would eventually bring fear into the citizens of Rome.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Macquire, K. (2012, April 26). Greek and Phoenician Colonization. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/68/greek-and-phoenician-colonization/
Chicago Style
Macquire, Kelly. "Greek and Phoenician Colonization." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 26, 2012. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/68/greek-and-phoenician-colonization/.
MLA Style
Macquire, Kelly. "Greek and Phoenician Colonization." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 26 Apr 2012. Web. 20 Feb 2025.
