Greek Colonization
This article describes the causes and characteristics of colonization after the ancient Greek.
Summary |
General causes
The stnochria
Greek texts refer to the stnochria as the main cause of colonization. The word comes from Greek stnochria "stnochoro": "to be cramped. Still, thanks to the improved climate in the middle of the first millennium BC (warmer and wetter, as evidenced by the palynology and sedimentology Internal conflicts, staseis By stasis refers to any domestic crisis, up to the Civil War. Colonization is a way of avoiding a civil war, the group found themselves in the minority from which to base a new city. This is not necessarily a conflict between aristocracy and people, but especially of the discussions for power between groups and their aristocratic clientele respective (old Mediterranean tradition), or opposition within the ruling group, as eg Corinth (see Bacchiadae ). The settlers often show a desire to found a city better, even ideal. This decision is taken only when a situation of extreme gravity. The supply of the city is a vital necessity, however, the reality on commercial motivations is quite complex. Aristotle said that the founder was a merchant of Marseilles, but he notes that he is an exception. Settlers tended to reproduce the social model of archaic Greek city, characterized by the dominance of the landed gentry . Merchants (as well as pirates ) were probably the first Greeks to make contact with the colonized regions, but it is not at all clear whether they had a role in colonization. There is no evidence that the city has received, even in the beginnings of a commercial monopoly. In addition, the volume of trade between the colony and the metropolis was usually insufficient to sustain the colony. Greek colonies founded for commercial reasons are rare if not found: Naucratis in Egypt is not a "oikeia" in the full sense, since it depends on the Egyptian state and Persian and is not independent. The cleruchies of Athens or counters Marseille remain as annexes to the metropolis, not city-girls. Becoming stronger maritime knowledge, significant progress is made in navigation, this allows for example to load more ships. It also helps to reassure people and encourage them as they have from all over to leave behind. The departure of the settlers is always a moment of anguish. The colony was founded in the city to avoid a famine, it is understood that from the time the settlers left the city, they lost all right to return. The city does not give them any assistance. The civic body was undergoing amputation true: between one tenth and one quarter of the population left, never to return. A colony is not based on a private basis (except rare exceptions), but results from a decision by the city, although it is rarely put forward. For the foundation of a colony, we present a first draft at the meeting that approves or rejects it. If agreed, the aristocratic council supports the choice of methods and steps to designate who will leave. It must then appoint a leader of the expedition, named oikiste , usually chosen from the aristocratic environment. This oikiste chose the name and precise location of the new facility. Once there, he established and endowed the colony of a defensive system. After his death, it is usually the subject of a cult hero. As part of the thought mythical places where one important part of the gods, cities need a bail God used to strengthen human decisions and the foundation of a colony was risky and raised rifts between those who had to leave, never to return and those who remained. It is thus very quickly get used to consult the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. The oracle provides a general geographic orientation and gives his opinion on a draft prepared by the city. They are set by the oracle. However, there is generally a good sense: it avoids countries too politically structured like Egypt or the Syrian-Palestinian coast ( Assyrians and Phoenicians ), advising the move west or east. It also describes where the city-girl will be established. Some elements are found in all the oracles, which all describe a site that will be able to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of the colony: These criteria call for comment. First, ease of access by sea is indispensable when we found a hand in starting by sea is therefore a truism. Given the factors pushing for the establishment of a colony (the need to reduce population pressure on the metropolitan territory), the other criteria are equally essential. These oracles are a reminder of what will be needed for the colony. In addition, the state's population around the Mediterranean in the eighth century BC. BC makes the availability of such a site illusory: the meeting in the same place so many positive factors on a site that is not busy is impossible. So when the colonists landed, they must necessarily expel predecessors. And although the founding narratives never evoke a violent episode at the origin of the city, the excavations show, whenever it drops below the Greek level of fire evidence that the Installation of the colony did not come peacefully. In general, there are two phases of the Greek colonial movement : It is interesting to note that several colonies (Zancle, Syracuse , etc..) themselves become an early founding of colonies. A chronology of foundations can be established in Sicily by Thucydides : Ionian colonies: Dorian colonies: However, archaeological excavations confirm the date of 733 for Syracuse, but suggest a date for the highest number of cities. It would Naxos 757, Leontinoi and Catania 752, Megara-Hybla 750, Syracuse 733, Selinus 650 . Rhegion ( Reggio Calabria ) was founded by Chalcis and Zancle in the second half of the eighth century, Cyrene (Libya) by Thera to 631, Massilia ( Marseille ) by Phocaea to 598. The shores of the Black Sea were colonized by Megara and Miletus in the sixth century. Settlers outweigh any emotional baggage and religious : one starts with the sacred fire of the city, the settlement preserves the same pantheon and often the same deity Polias. The links are realized by displacement of metropolis and colony vice versa during major religious festivals. In political terms, it generally retains the institutions of the metropolis, at least initially. The evolution takes place only in the long term. At first the trade are quite modest. Shortly after, there is nevertheless a real explosion. Thus, the wealth of the people of Sybaris is legendary. However, there is no political link between the colony and its metropolis: the new city is completely independent. It happened that a colony is found opposite during a war on its mainland: for example the conflict between Corcyra and its metropolis Corinth was the cause of the Peloponnesian War. After an initial phase of conflict, brief in the western Mediterranean, longer in Thrace , Greeks establish regular exchanges with the natives. Some colonies, Syracuse , Pontic Heraclea , Olbia at the mouth of the Dnieper , eventually enslave neighboring rural communities ( perioikoi ) and make them pay a tribute in grain . Relations with the big states "barbarians" are more complex. If the conquest Persian in Thrace seems to have encouraged the establishment of the Greeks, competition with the Etruscans and Carthaginians limited their westward expansion . There has been a strength of any Greek colonists external cultural infiltration, even in Egypt. Under the pharaoh Psammetichus I. It had interpreters to talk with residents Naucratis. In contrast, colonization has a strong enough impact on the perception of the settlers themselves. There is thus a development of schools of philosophy from the sixth century BC. AD confrontation with other cultures stimulates philosophical reflection, but the other only serves as a trigger for its existence, it is not a party. The period Hellenistic is marked by a new wave of colonization . However, unlike the archaic colonization, it is under the influence of Greco-Macedonian monarchies. Alexander the Great , the Seleucids , the Ptolemies in particular increasing the foundations of cities, which often bear their names or those of their relatives: Alexandria , Seleucia , Antioch , Ptolemais. They are not independent, but have autonomous institutions and help to introduce the laws and customs among Greek Eastern populations. The commercial motivations
Advances in navigation
Terms and departure times
The decision and the players
Selection criteria
The steps of the movement
Chronology
Characters specific new facilities
Relations with Greece colonies
Relations with the barbarians
Perceptions new
There is a little more receptive to the religious sphere. The syncretism appears to them as a means to gain acceptance on new land.
In the Archaic period , the traditional Greek world is not yet permeated by this new philosophical thought, it takes the classical period. Hellenistic Settlement
References
See also
Related articles
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5, rated)
Loading ...