5. A Time of Exodus: The Rise of Greek Colonies

Date: 22 March 2024
Time: 14:58:53 CET
Topic: 5. A Time of Exodus: The Rise of Greek Colonies
Tags: political unrest, tyranny, Greek colonization, English Puritans, Stuart rule, Delphic Oracle, Apollo, emigrants, Greek communities, Dispersed Hellas, population pressure, Greek spirit, adventure, enterprise, civil strife, Southern Italy, colonizing era, Magna Graecia, Great Greece, Dorian city, Tarentum, wealthy, luxurious, Aeolian city, Sybaris, hedonism, Sybarite, great Croton, philosophical schools, Olympic champions, Rhegium, statesmen, historians, poets, artists

This period of political unrest and tyranny also marked a peak in Greek colonization. Thousands, driven from their homes like the English Puritans fleeing Stuart rule, set sail under the guidance of the Delphic Oracle, Apollo. These emigrants established new Greek communities, "Dispersed Hellas," on distant and diverse shores.

Several factors fueled this exodus: population pressure, the Greek spirit of adventure and enterprise, and of course, civil strife. Southern Italy, during this colonizing era, became so densely populated with Greek cities that it earned the name Magna Graecia, "Great Greece."

Here, in the late 8th century BC, arose significant cities:

• The powerful Dorian city of Tarentum.
• The wealthy and luxurious Aeolian city of Sybaris, whose name became synonymous with hedonism (a "Sybarite" being a person devoted to pleasure).
• The great Croton, known for its philosophical schools and Olympic champions, which ultimately destroyed Sybaris.
• Rhegium, a city that would nurture statesmen, historians, poets, and artists.