The Greeks Overseas: Their Early Colonies and Trade

by John Boardman

The spread of Greek civilization through Europe and into Africa and the Near East began long before the classical period, long after Troy, Mycenae, and Knossos had fallen. This study gives an archaeologist’s view of one of the most important periods of European history, describing how, out of a time of reduced population and comparative penury, the Greeks set their sails north, south, east, and west to plant trading posts and colonies, to reap whatever harvest of materials and expertise the barbarian could offer, and to disseminate the benefits of their own rapidly developing and brilliant civilization.


The book vividly demonstrates the value of archaeology to the historical record and indicates how much the arts and culture of classical Greece already owed to foreign influences.

Genres: History, Archaeology, Greece, Ancient History, Nonfiction, Classics, Geography

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book when a former volunteer in my classroom was getting rid of her Classics books, so I took advantage of the opportunity to pick up several books. I was happy about this book because I knew it to be a classic in archaeological and historical writing. Boardman, of course, is an elder statesman of scholarship and this is one of his best known works. So, I was interested to read it because it is one of those books which one hears quoted, but I suspect was not necessarily read as often as it has been quoted.

Of course, Greeks Overseas is a masterful work. It is an extremely detailed discussion of the Greek colonization movement in the Archaic period and demonstrates Boardman's extensive grasp of Greek archaeology throughout the Mediterranean, especially pottery. It is comprehensive and gives a good sense of the development of this important aspect of Greek history. It is a necessary starting point for anyone wishing to study this subject.

It is, however, a very dense book and clearly written for specialists first. That means it can be a bit of a grind to read this level of detail, but it is comprehensive and a necessary starting point.

[Sara Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scrivere una recensione su Boardman è quasi tautologia. Il libro fa una rassegna sulla seconda colonizzazione greca e sugli elementi peculiari di ogni caratteristica di fondazione e di città madrepatria. Pone una infarinatura elegante e completa del fenomeno senza scendere ovviamente in dettagli che renderebbero il libro un'enciclopedia e non una rassegna come invece si propone. Ottimo per avere un'idea chiara e completa della colonizzazione greca, le scelte e le condizioni, le cause e le conseguenze e naturalmente gli intrecci tra greci, indigeni e altre popolazioni.
Personalmente trovo la prosa di Boardman davvero british, asciutta e calzante senza troppi giri di parole e inutili perifrasi. Perfetto anche per i non addetti ai lavori.

[Mysni · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 rating: 4 stars
2026 rating: 4 stars

Just a good educational history book.

[Raphaela Folia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Το διάβασα καθώς είχα μια εργασία για την ελληνική διααπορά.. αλλά δεν μπορώ να πω ότι τρελάθηκα κιολας, πολυ λεπτομέρεια και κάπου νομίζω χάθηκα και κουράστηκα

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only someone with Boardman's expertise could write such a sweeping yet concise history. I was particularly taken with chapter 4, "The Greeks in Egypt." The entire book is a rewarding read for anyone interested in cultural connections across the ancient world.

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview of the Greeks colonies from Africa to Russia.