THE HISTORY: Greek Colonization (1000-800 B.C.)
The old inhabitants migrated to the shores of Asia Minor
which became the epicenter of Hellenism. A multitude of colonies was set up
by the four ancient Greek tribes of historic times: the Ionian Dodecapolis (twelve
cities) by the Ionians, with Miletus, Phocaea, Ephesus, Colophon and Chios as
the most important; the Doric Hexapolis (six cities) by the Dorians (Cnidus,
Halicarnassus, Cos and the three cities of Rhodes) and the Aeolian Dodecapolis
by the Aeolians, with Lesbos and Tenedos as the most important. Up to the end
of the 6th century B.C. the Greeks had spread westwards as well, mainly to southern
Italy and Sicily (Syracuse, Cumae, Parthenope, Croton and Taranto) and to Marseilles
which became an important Creek centre and commercial supply station for Greek
seafarers. Colonies were also established in Macedonia and Thrace.