The Lelantine War and the Greek Colonization of the Accessways to the Black Sea

Abstract

The purpose is the analysis of the modern historiography of the controversial issues of the beginnings of the northeastern vector of the Great Greek colonization, that is, the Greeks’ development of the northern coast of the Aegean Sea, the shores of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea straits, which enabled further colonization of the Black Sea basin. At the same time, the colonization process is reviewed in the context of interpolis relations of the 7th — 6th centuries BC, in the center of which is the so-called Lelantine War — the first global conflict of the ancient world, the consequence of which, as it is believed, was the division of spheres of colonization influence.

Scientific novelty. For the first time in domestic historiography, the study of the beginnings of the northern shore of the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea straits colonization has been analyzed in the context of the consequences of the division of the colonization influence spheres after the Lelantine War. Not only the traditional point of view on these processes are considered but also views that reject both the reality of the global conflict and its impact on the process of colonization.

Conclusions. The latest archaeological and epigraphic data speak against a skeptical view of the reality of the Lelantine War. They rather confirm and refine the written tradition than deny it. According to it, Miletus and Megara were allies during the conflict. Probably, allied relations between them were maintained even during colonization — the poleis coordinated their efforts on colonization routes. Long-term friendly relations both between metropolises and between the apoikias founded by them are also confirmed by epigraphic data. Therefore, the conception of cooperation and distribution of spheres of influence between Miletus and Megara during the colonization of the Marmara Sea basin and the Black Sea straits seems quite plausible. These allied relations were obviously preserved during the development of the Black Sea basin.