In the eighth-ninth centuries BC, there was a massive settlement of Greek tribes in the Black Sea region. This historical phenomenon became part of the settlement of Greek tribes along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, which was called the "Great Greek Colonization".
The prerequisites for this process were:
- economic and social development of the Greeks
- overpopulation of Hellas
- small land area
- an acute confrontation between the inhabitants of Greek cities, as a result of which the losers had to emigrate.
The Greek colonists began to explore the periphery of the ancient world. This undoubtedly contributed to the development of various handicraft industries in Greece. Among other things, in the new cities there was a rapid trade, products were manufactured for export.
How were the cities founded?
- With the legal permission of the authorities of the metropolis
- At the request of individuals.
And the cities immediately gained independence from the metropolis. Historians have several positions regarding the nature of the settlement of the Northern Black Sea region.
- Shopping character. That is, Greek trade interests played a fundamental role. After all, the colonies were large trading points, they provided a commercial link between the Mediterranean and the barbarians.
- "The bilateral character of colonization." It says that not only financial transformations were important, but also the development of the northern Black Sea tribes, who were able to contact and cooperate with the settlers.
- Land character. Stands in opposition to the first two opinions of scientists.
- Commercial and agricultural character. Accepts both commercial and agricultural components.
City-states of the Northern Black Sea Region.
- Borisfenida. Was the most ancient Greek city, its appearance dates back to the seventh century BC.
- Olbia. It was founded in the first half of the sixth century BC.
- Nikoniy. It was also built in the 6th century.
- Tyra. It also dates back to the sixth century.
- Panticapaeum. Appeared in the first half of the seventh century. The interesting name literally translates to fish path.
- Tiritaka.
- Nymph.
- Cimmeric. These three cities were also founded in the seventh century, they were located south of Panticapaeum.
- Feodosia.
- Mirmeky.
- Kepas - in the first half of the sixth century BC.
- Phanagoria - mid-6th century.
- Chersonesos Tauric. Quite a large city, founded in the second half of the fifth century.
- Tanais - 3rd century.
There are three areas in the Northern Black Sea region:
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- Northwestern, which includes Olbia, Nikoniy, Tyra and others.
- Tavricheskaya, the center of which is Chersonesus, occupying the south and west of Crimea.
- North-eastern, consisting of the Eastern Crimea (Feodosia), the Azov Sea, the Black Sea coast up to the Gagrinsky ridge.
The ancient city-states of the Northern Black Sea region existed for about one millennium. Historians are still trying to "paint" a coherent picture of the historical periods of these states. But for now, the following sequence is used:
- Period from 7-8 centuries to the 2nd century BC. Then the ancient states in the Northern Black Sea region were independent and did not depend on each other.
- The period of the founding of the state of Eupator, that is, the unification of all states.
- Period from the middle of the first century BC to the middle of the third century AD. Then the Roman influence on the city-states manifested itself. The conquering attitude of the Romans assumed the consideration of cities only as a source of labor and products.
- The period from the second half of the third century AD to the fourth century, when the irreversible death of the ancient states took place. Financial and socio-political collapse led to it. In the third century, tribes of the Goths came to the Northern Black Sea region, in the fourth - the Huns. Since the cities were economically and politically weakened by the Roman Empire, their fate was inevitable.
City-state lifestyle
Greek cities were called policies. Almost all of them were democratic or aristocratic. At that time, slavery still reigned. The metropolis, the central point was the city of Miletus. The planning and development of ancient cities followed the "image and likeness" of the cities of Greece. They consisted of blocks (one to four houses), boasted buildings for cultural entertainment and events, schools, religious and other buildings. The dead were buried outside the city; this place was called the necropolis.
The inhabitants were usually engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding, fishing, and vineyards. But there were also various crafts: metalworking, pottery, weaving. Bronze and copper were used from metals. The Greeks also made mirrors, jewelry, statuettes in the form of animals. Jewelry and ceramic production did not stand aside either. Many goods (grain, animal skins, salt, furs and fish) were exported. The trade was in full swing. The imports were metals, weapons, textiles, wine, olive oil. Slaves were also considered a commodity.
In addition to trade, there was a rapid development of history and philosophy, literature and art. The Greeks contributed a piece of themselves to the cities they built. In general, the development of science and art in ancient cities was of global importance both for other states and for descendants.