Greek colonization Odessos today Varna Greek expansion Greek

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: Ø Economic Ø 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 -170 m 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