Italy – Greek Diaspora History
Magna Graecia
Top 10 Facts About Magna Graecia
Magna Graecia, meaning Greater Greece, was the name given by the Romans to Southern Italy as this area was extensively populated by Greek colonies in antiquity. Most notably the Roman poet – Ovid referred to the south of Italy as Magna Graecia in his poem Fasti.
1. Greek diaspora colonisation of Magna Graecia may have begun before the Trojan War
According to Greek geographer, philosopher, and historian – Strabo, Magna Graecia’s colonisation had already begun by the time of the Trojan War and lasted for several centuries. The Trojan War is estimated to have taken place between 1260 BC and 1180 BC. However, most sources claim that the Greek colonisation of Southern Italy commenced in the 8th and 7th centuries BC.
2. Magna Graecia Greek colonies competed in the Ancient Olympic Games
As we know, only free male Greek citizens were allowed to compete in the Ancient Olympic Games (at least for the Archaic period), which included representatives from Greek city states and colonies outside of mainland Greece. Cities from Magna Graecia that produced Olympic champions include Croton (Crotone), Syracuse, Akragas (Agrigento), Taras (Tarentum / Taranto), Sybaris, Kamarina, and Himera. The most notable of Magna Graecian champions is Milo of Croton.
3. Southern Italy has some of the best preserved Greek temples
The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily is one of the main attractions of Sicily and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Valley includes seven of the best preserved ancient Greek temples, all built in the Doric style.
4. At one point Magna Graecia was one of the most densely populated regions in the world
About 1,000 years ago, Magna Graecia was home to over 2 million people, making it at the time one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
5. One of the world’s best mathematicians was a Greek born in Magna Graecia
Archimedes, one of the world’s best mathematicians was born and lived in Sicily. You may remember him from famous quotes such as “Eureka!” and “Don’t touch my circles!”. Another world-renowned mathematician – Pythagoras, also lived and died in Magna Graecia.
6. Magna Graecia colonies possessed some of the wealthiest city states of the time
The city states of Magna Graecia were founded by farmers, traders, and craftsmen who represented the “new rich” of the Greek world. Unlike most other Greek city states who valued “Pan Metron Ariston” (Moderation in all things), Magna Graecians wanted to be bigger and better than their brothers in the mainland. They built larger temples, more extravagant houses, and valued a life of luxury.
7. Magna Graecia wasn’t all Greek
Although Southern Italy was flooded with Greek colonies in ancient times and most Southern Italians were part of one of the earliest Greek diasporas, this wasn’t the case for all. Magna Graecia also consisted of colonies from the Carthaginians and other Italian tribes such as the Italiotes, Messapians, Apulians, and Samnites.
8. Colonies from Magna Graecia provided the Romans with some of their first fierce resistance
During the 3rd Century BC, Rome had established itself as a major empire on the Italian Peninsula and began attempts to expand into Magna Graecia. The Greek city of Taras (Tarentum) appealed to King Pyrrhus of Epirus for aid and thus began the Phyrrhic War (280-275 BC). Pyrrhus was undefeated in three battles against the Romans but received such heavy casualties that he is famous for saying “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined” – coining the term a Pyrrhic victory. Thus, Pyrrhus returned to Greece and the rest is Greek diaspora history.
9. A Greek dialect is still spoken today in Southern Italy
The Southern Italian Greek dialect – Griko, is considered to be the last living trace of the ancient Greek diaspora that once formed Magna Graecia. Griko is a dialect of modern Greek spoken in the Italian regions of Salento and Calabria.
10. The Southern Italian Mafia likely have Greek ancestry
Many Greeks from the Mani Peninsula moved to Italy in the 16th and 17th centuries AD after the conquest of the Peloponnese by the Ottoman Empire. The Maniotes were known for their proud military traditions and for their bloody vendettas.
The mafia began during the 19th century AD in Sicily – a Magna Graecia region steeped with rich Greek diaspora history. Although by the 19th century AD, most people with Greek ancestral roots had been Italianised, the fact remains that many Southern Italians, in particular Sicilians, have Greek ancestral heritage. Did the Italian Mafia’s bloody vendettas stem from the Maniotes?
The Greek colonies in Magna Graecia would later go on to influence one of the greatest empires the world had ever seen – Rome. Click here to find out exactly how did Greek culture influence the development of Roman civilization?
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