Greek colonization
Odessos today Varna
Greek expansion
Greek colonization was a large –
scale phenomenon in the VIII VI centuries BC. Many Greeks
settled in new areas where
non-Greek polis based.
Map of the town
Odessos
Reasons for the Greek expansion:
Reasons for the Greek
colonization are two:
 Economic
 Political
Why do the Greek chose the Black
Sea area?
According to the
ancient Greek concepts the
Black Sea distinguishes
from Greece in its
geographic location and
climate.They think that
adjacent areas are better
place to live.
The first Greek colonies
• The earliest Greek colonies appeared on the
northern and southern Black Sea
coast, because it was the closest to Greece;
• This early Greek colonization on the Black Sea
coast dates from the second
half of VII century;
• Several decades later cities situated on the
coast were Odessos, Dionysopolis and Tommy.
Map of Greek colonies
Traditional crafts
The most popular crafts in the
Greek colonies were:
• Pottery - ceramics
• Metal – working – gold, silver
and bronze smelting
Some objects found during the
excavations
Odessos treasure
From Thracian to Greek colonies
Most of the Hellenistic colonies were settled
in next to the ancient Thracian
settlements. This fact is proved by the
excavations done in the areas
of Odessos, Messembria
and Anhialo. The old settlements
were destroyed by the new Greek towns.
Fight for influence
The colonies on the
Aegean and Black
Sea coast were fighting all
the time for acquiring
large spheres of influence.
Ancient fortress
The ancient Greek towns were well kept
fortresses and important ports.
The earliest fortifications were found in the
towns of Odessos, Apollonia and others.
Ancient temples
The most important were the holy
places of various divinities. The most ancient
and popular were
the temples of Apollo. The temple
of Darzalsa was found in the town
of Odessos.
The ancient colony now is a
modern city
The ancient town Odessos, Varna
of today was founded in the
first half of VI century by
the Phrygian king Astyages in
593-558 as it is mentioned by the
historians Strabon and Pliniy
Varna – important port and trade centre
It was created as a trade center. Today's city of
Varna occupies not only the
old area of Odessos, but it spreads out far away
beyond the ancient necropolis.
Varna Today
General Information
Country
Bulgaria
Municipality
Varna
Population
350.064
Area
154.236
Altitude
0-170m
Post code
9000-9030
Tel. code
052
Varna Archeological Museum
It keeps the oldest
world
gold treasure found
near the
Varna lake in
the twentieth
century.
The treasure in the
Archaeological museum
Regional History Museum
Ethnographic Museum
Varna Theatre
Asparuhov Bridge
End
By: Fikrie Kambur