9. Migrations to Asia Minor

Date: 19 March 2024
Time: 15:37:19 CET
Topic: 9. Migrations to Asia Minor
Tags: Greek legends, Dorian invasion, Peloponnesus, migrations, Asia Minor, Aeolian emigrants, Boeotia, Achaean refugees, Lesbos, Ionian emigrants, Corinthian Gulf, cities, Ephesus, Miletus, Ionian confederacy, Dorians, colonies, Cos, Rhodes, Crete, Legendary Age, historic ground, Curtius, struggle, Trojan War

 The End of an Era: Greek Migrations and the Rise of New Centers

Ancient Greek legends recount that the Dorian invasion of the Peloponnese triggered a series of significant migrations eastward, across the Aegean Sea to the shores of Asia Minor and its neighboring islands. Let's explore these movements:

The Aeolian Expansion:

• Boeotia to Asia Minor: Eolian Greeks, originating from Boeotia in mainland Greece, established settlements along the northwestern coast of Asia Minor. These settlements also absorbed many Achaean refugees fleeing the Dorian invasion in the Peloponnese.
• Lesbos: A Cultural Hub: The island of Lesbos became the heart and soul of Aeolian culture, particularly known for its contributions to poetry and music.

The Ionian Confederacy:

• From Corinthian Gulf to Ionia: Ionian Greeks, originally residing near the Corinthian Gulf, migrated south and joined their Ionian kin already established on the Asian Minor coast.
• Twelve Cities, One League: This collaboration led to the foundation of twelve magnificent cities, including Ephesus and Miletus. These cities eventually formed the renowned Ionian League, a powerful political and cultural union.

The Dorians Claim Their Share:

• Southern Shores and Beyond: Moving further south, Dorians established colonies all along the southwestern coast of Asia Minor. Their influence extended to the strategic islands of Cos and Rhodes, and they even conquered and colonized Crete.

A Gradual Process, Not a Sudden Surge:

The legends depict these settlements as occurring rapidly. However, historians believe this eastward migration likely unfolded over several centuries, possibly even longer than the time it took the English to colonize various regions of the Western Hemisphere.

From Myth to History: A Turning Point

With the migrations of the Aeolians, Ionians, and Dorians eastward, Greece's "Legendary Age" draws to a close. These events mark a transition point towards a period with more verifiable historical evidence. While some myths may still be debated, the foundations of historical Greece begin to solidify.

A Footnote: The Trojan War and a Possible Connection

Historian Curtius suggests that the inevitable conflicts arising from these migrations might have formed the basis for the Trojan War legend. He argues for viewing the Trojan War within a broader historical context, rather than solely as a singular, isolated event.