In the context of Ancient Greek colonization, Iron Age Greek migrations is considered…

Iron Age Greek migrations in the context of Ancient Greek colonization

During the Archaic period of Greek history (8th-6th centuries BC), Greek colonization differed significantly from the earlier Iron Age migrations. While the Iron Age migrations involved largely uncoordinated tribal movements, Archaic colonization was a more organized process led by individuals known as *oikistes*, and directed away from established city-states (*metropolis*) to establish new settlements (*apoikiai*).

⭐ In the context of Ancient Greek colonization, Iron Age Greek migrations is considered…

The Archaic Greek colonization was a deliberate and organized expansion led by individuals, whereas the earlier Iron Age migrations were characterized by the less structured movement of tribes seeking new lands.

⭐ Core Definition: Iron Age Greek migrations

The Iron Age Greek migrations occurred from the middle of the 11th century to the end of the 9th century BCE (the Greek Dark Ages). The movements resulted in the settlement of the Aegean islands, Cyprus, Crete, and the western coast of Asia Minor. New cities were founded which afterwards became centers of Greek civilization. Tribal groups migrated in consecutive waves known as the Aeolic, Ionian, Doric, and Achaean (Arcadian) migrations.

Compared to the Greek colonisations of the Archaic period, the Iron Age Migrations were more ad hoc affairs, rather than being a planned settlement organised by a mother city. They are also less well-documented historically. In folk histories, they are often said to have been led by legendary leaders, such as Hercules or Orestes.

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Iron Age Greek migrations in the context of Greek colonisation

Greek colonisation refers to the expansion of Archaic Greeks, particularly during the 8th–6th centuries BC, across the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

The Archaic expansion differed from the Iron Age migrations of the Greek Dark Ages, in that it consisted of organised direction (see oikistes) away from the originating metropolis rather than the simplistic movement of tribes, which characterised the aforementioned earlier migrations. Many colonies, or apoikiai (Greek: ἀποικία, transl. "home away from home"), that were founded during this period eventually evolved into strong Greek city-states, functioning independently of their metropolis.

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