Magna+Graecia

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From 700's-500's B.C. Greek colonists found new city-states along the Med., and Black sea(World book 372). They called it Magna Graecia, which means Great Greece(Mcrae book 13). It was the largest settelment developed in southern Itay and Sicily(world book 372). Many people lived in Magan Graecia beacuse, of the land shortage in other Greek city staes, Magan Graecis held more land to farm(World book 372). Magna Graecis was an ancient Greek seaport, colonies of southern Italy and Sicily from the 8th to 4th contury B.C("Magna Graecia"). Cumae and Taratum remaind sign ficailt after the decline of the other colonies("Magna Graecia"). One of the citys, Ceoton, had the finest physician in the greek world("Magna Graecia"). Magna Graecia was also home to the 6th centary athlete ,Milo, who was six time victor in wrestling at both the Olympic and Pythian games("Magna Graecia"). Magna Graecia was the seat of the pythagorean and Eleatic systems of philosophy("Magna Graecia"). Important centre of Greek civilization"(Magna Graecia"). =__ **Syarcuse** __= Out of all the greek cities in Magna Graecia, Syracuse was by far the most powerful("Jays roman history"). Unfortunately the power of Syracuse began to wane less than a century after it's high point at the Battle of Cumae"(Jays roman history"). After Syracuse los, stages of Magna Graecia began to lose their independence to the surrounding Samnites, Bruttians, Lucanians, and Latins("Jays roman history"). The Greek city-states slowly declined in strength and importance"(Jays roman history"). By 339 B>C Carthage had taken and occupied the western half of the island of Sicily and only a few Greek city-states remanined"(Jays roman history"). On the Italian peninsula Rhegium, Tarentum,and Thurii were the only important ones left"(Jays roman history"). In all Syracuse lost all of her independence to a Roman Seige("Jays roman history"). =__ The Battle of Cumae __= The Battle of Cumae was a naval battle between the combined navies of Syracuse and Cumae against the great navy of Etrscans, which took place in the Bay of Naples. The start of this battle was caused by the attempt of the Etruscans to expand their empire and take over southern Italy. In the end the navy of Syracuse and Cumae prevailed over the navy of Etruscan. And after the loss, their country lost a lot of their power and political influence on Italy.("Battle of Cumae") And to sum up the battle, the tyrant of Cumae Aristodemus allied himself with Hieron of Syracuse in this battle and successfully stopped an invasion from the Etruscans.(Bouchard)

=__ Battle of Agrigentum __= The Battle of Agrigentum, which took place in 261 B.C. in Sicily, was the first pitched battle of the First Punic War and the first large-scale military confrontation between Cartaginians and the Republice of Rome. The battle was fought after a long siege which started in 262 B.C. and resulted both in a Roman victory and the beginning of the Roman control of Sicily.("Battle of Agrigentum" )The Romans treated the captured city with unexpected severity. The city was sacked, its population, including the Greeks, sold into slavery. This had the result of turning the Greek population of Sicily against the Romans, making it much harder for them to pose as defenders of Greek liberties against Carthaginian attack. The two consuls involved in the siege of Agrigentum were not awarded a triumph, suggesting a certain dissatisfaction with their efforts.("Siege and Battle of Agrigentum 262 B.C." )

= __The End of Magna Graecia__ = Unlike Greek Sicily, Magna Graecia began to decline by 500 b.c., probably because of malaria and endless warfare among the colonies. Only Tarentum (now Taranto) and Cumae remained individually very significant("Magna Graecia"). The most likely reason that the civilization came crashing down was because of war. Through all of the battles and wars and bloodshed, many important people that were crucial to their survival had past away in war. But in the end what most of the people saw was the lasting impression of the Hellenistic civilization.(Bouchard)

__ Work Cited __
"Magna Graecia." 6. The Cloumbia Encylopedia, 2004. Web. 26 Mar 2012. [].

"Magna Graecia."//Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online//. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <[]>. \

Bouchard, Elsa. "Battle of Cumae." The Literary Encyclopedia, 2010. Web. 26 Mar 2012. [].