Cities Founded by Greeks/Romans: A Legacy of Ancient Civilization

The map depicted above provides a visual representation of the cities across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia that were founded by the ancient Greeks and Romans. These cities, scattered throughout vast regions, are a testament to the expansive reach and enduring influence of these two powerful civilizations. Their urban foundations not only shaped the physical landscape but also left a lasting imprint on the cultural, political, and social structures of the regions they touched.

The Greek Polis: Birthplaces of Democracy and Philosophy

The cities marked in blue dots on the map represent those founded by the ancient Greeks. Known as poleis (singular: polis), these city-states were the heart of Greek civilization. The Greek colonization period, particularly between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE, saw the spread of Greek culture and influence far beyond the borders of modern-day Greece, stretching across the Mediterranean and into Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), Southern Italy (a region historically known as Magna Graecia), and the coasts of North Africa and the Black Sea.

Some key aspects of Greek-founded cities include:

1. Cultural Hubs: Greek cities were often centers of culture, art, and philosophy. Cities like Athens, Sparta, and Corinth in mainland Greece became iconic, not only for their military prowess but for their contributions to philosophy, governance, and the arts. Outside Greece, colonies such as Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul) and Syracuse in Sicily also grew to be major centers of influence.

2. Trade and Economy: Greek cities were usually situated in coastal areas, reflecting the seafaring nature of Greek society. They became important hubs for trade, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between different regions. The Greeks also introduced coinage, which played a crucial role in the economic systems of their cities.

3. Political Structures: The concept of the polis was crucial in the development of democracy. While not all Greek cities practiced democracy, those like Athens became the birthplace of democratic governance, where citizens (though limited to free men) participated directly in decision-making processes.

4. Religious Centers: Many cities were also religious centers, with temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The Oracle of Delphi, located in a city dedicated to the god Apollo, was one of the most significant religious sites in the ancient world.

Roman Urbanism: Engineering and Empire

The red dots on the map highlight cities founded by the Romans, whose empire, at its height, spanned from the British Isles to the Middle East and North Africa. The Romans were master engineers and urban planners, and their cities were often designed with a focus on practicality, efficiency, and integration into the broader empire.

Key features of Roman-founded cities include:

1. Strategic Military Locations: Roman cities were often established in strategic locations, particularly along vital transportation routes like roads and rivers. Many cities began as castra, or military camps, which evolved into permanent settlements. Coloniae were also established to house retired soldiers, helping to Romanize conquered territories.

2. Infrastructure and Engineering: Roman cities were renowned for their advanced infrastructure, including aqueducts, roads, and sewage systems. The Via Appia and other Roman roads connected distant parts of the empire, facilitating trade, military movement, and communication. Roman engineering also included the construction of impressive public buildings, such as amphitheaters, baths, and forums.

3. Law and Governance: The Roman approach to law and governance was instrumental in the administration of their cities. The concept of Roman citizenship extended rights and privileges to the inhabitants of these cities, fostering loyalty to the empire. The Roman legal system laid the groundwork for many legal traditions still in use today.

4. Cultural Integration: Roman cities were melting pots of various cultures within the empire. The Romans often incorporated local customs and deities into their cities, creating a blend of Roman and indigenous traditions. This cultural integration helped maintain the unity of the empire despite its vast diversity.

5. Architectural Legacy: The architectural style of Roman cities, characterized by the use of arches, domes, and columns, has had a lasting impact on Western architecture. The remains of structures like the Colosseum in Rome and the Pantheon are enduring symbols of Roman architectural ingenuity.

The Lasting Impact of Greek and Roman Urbanization

The cities founded by the Greeks and Romans played a crucial role in the spread of their respective cultures, languages, and ideas across vast regions. Many of these cities, such as Rome, Athens, Alexandria, and Constantinople, became some of the most important urban centers in history, influencing the development of Western civilization.

Even today, the legacy of these cities is evident. Modern European cities, from London to Istanbul, trace their origins back to these ancient foundations. The layout of many contemporary cities reflects the urban planning principles established by the Greeks and Romans, with forums, agoras, and grid-based street plans still visible.

The influence of Greek and Roman cities extends beyond physical infrastructure. They were cradles of ideas—democracy, republicanism, philosophy, and law—that continue to shape the world today. The map serves as a reminder of the far-reaching and enduring legacy of Greek and Roman civilization, which continues to resonate in the modern world.

Here is a comprehensive list of ancient Roman cities that were founded by Rome or became significant Roman settlements. This list is categorized by region:

Italy (Italian Peninsula)

1. Rome - The capital of the Roman Empire.

2. Ostia - Rome’s port city.

3. Capua - Key city in Campania.

4. Pompeii - Famous for the volcanic eruption of 79 AD.

5. Herculaneum - Destroyed alongside Pompeii.

6. Neapolis (Naples) - Originally a Greek colony, became a major Roman city.

7. Puteoli (Pozzuoli) - Important port near Naples.

8. Brundisium (Brindisi) - Key port on the Adriatic Sea.

9. Ravenna - Later capital of the Western Roman Empire.

10. Arretium (Arezzo)

11. Beneventum (Benevento)

12. Mediolanum (Milan) - Later capital of the Western Roman Empire.

13. Cremona

14. Verona

15. Aquileia - Major northern city and military base.

16. Genua (Genoa)

17. Florentia (Florence)

18. Tarentum (Taranto)

19. Paestum - Originally a Greek colony, Romanized later.

20. Rimini (Ariminum)

21. Nola

22. Spoleto

23. Luna (Luni)

24. Mutina (Modena)

25. Parma

26. Placentia (Piacenza)

27. Tarracina (Terracina)

28. Aquae Sextiae (Aix-en-Provence) - Also part of Gaul.

29. Augusta Taurinorum (Turin)

Gaul (Modern-day France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of Switzerland and Germany)

1. Lugdunum (Lyon)

2. Arelate (Arles)

3. Massilia (Marseille) - Initially Greek, Romanized later.

4. Nemausus (Nîmes)

5. Narbo Martius (Narbonne)

6. Tolosa (Toulouse)

7. Vesontio (Besançon)

8. Treverorum (Trier)

9. Colonia Agrippina (Cologne)

10. Augusta Treverorum (Trier)

11. Burdigala (Bordeaux)

12. Lutetia (Paris)

13. Rotomagus (Rouen)

14. Amiens (Samarobriva)

15. Augusta Suessionum (Soissons)

16. Remi (Reims)

17. Caesarodunum (Tours)

18. Avaricum (Bourges)

Hispania (Iberian Peninsula: Modern-day Spain and Portugal)

1. Tarraco (Tarragona)

2. Corduba (Córdoba)

3. Hispalis (Seville)

4. Emerita Augusta (Mérida)

5. Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza)

6. Carthago Nova (Cartagena)

7. Gades (Cádiz)

8. Toletum (Toledo)

9. Salamanca (Salmantica)

10. Segovia

11. Asturica Augusta (Astorga)

12. Bracara Augusta (Braga)

13. Lucus Augusti (Lugo)

14. Valentia Edetanorum (Valencia)

15. Saguntum (Sagunto)

16. Malaca (Málaga)

17. Ilipa (Alcalá del Río)

18. Celsa (Velilla de Ebro)

Britannia (Modern-day Britain)

1. Londinium (London)

2. Eboracum (York)

3. Camulodunum (Colchester)

4. Verulamium (St Albans)

5. Glevum (Gloucester)

6. Deva Victrix (Chester)

7. Lindum Colonia (Lincoln)

8. Aquae Sulis (Bath)

9. Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester)

10. Ratae Corieltavorum (Leicester)

11. Isca Dumnoniorum (Exeter)

12. Venta Silurum (Caerwent)

13. Corinium Dobunnorum (Cirencester)

14. Durovernum Cantiacorum (Canterbury)

Germania (Modern-day Germany)

1. Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne)

2. Augusta Vindelicorum (Augsburg)

3. Mogontiacum (Mainz)

4. Treverorum (Trier)

5. Noviomagus (Nijmegen)

6. Castrum Novum (Neuss)

7. Argentoratum (Strasbourg)

8. Bonna (Bonn)

9. Aquae Granni (Aachen)

Africa Proconsularis (Modern-day Tunisia and parts of Libya)

1. Carthago (Carthage) - Re-founded by Romans after the Punic Wars.

2. Hadrumetum (Sousse)

3. Leptis Magna - Major city in Tripolitania.

4. Thysdrus (El Djem)

5. Utica

6. Hippo Regius (Annaba)

7. Oea (Tripoli)

8. Sabratha

Asia Minor (Modern-day Turkey)

1. Antioch (Antakya)

2. Ephesus

3. Smyrna (Izmir)

4. Nicomedia (Izmit)

5. Ancyra (Ankara)

6. Tarsus

7. Pergamum (Bergama)

8. Caesarea Mazaca (Kayseri)

9. Laodicea

10. Antiochia ad Cragum

11. Iconium (Konya)

12. Sardis

13. Miletus

Illyricum (Modern-day Western Balkans)

1. Salona (Solin)

2. Scodra (Shkodër)

3. Dyrrhachium (Durrës)

4. Narona (Vid near Metković)

5. Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica)

6. Siscia (Sisak)

7. Epidamnos (Durrës)

Greece

1. Corinth (Corinthus)

2. Thessalonica

3. Athens - Romanized after conquest.

4. Patras

5. Nicopolis

6. Sparta (Lacedaemon) - Romanized after the conquest.

7. Beroea (Veria)

Egypt

1. Alexandria - Originally Greek, but a key Roman city.

2. Antinoöpolis - Founded by Hadrian.

3. Ptolemais Hermiou

4. Naucratis

Syria

1. Antioch (Antakya) - One of the great cities of the empire.

2. Palmyra - Important trade city.

3. Apamea

4. Laodicea (Latakia)

5. Emesa (Homs)

Palestine/Judea

1. Caesarea Maritima

2. Jerusalem (Aelia Capitolina)

3. Scythopolis (Beit She'an)

4. Sebaste (Samaria)

5. Gadara (Umm Qais)

6. Gerasa (Jerash)

7. Pella (Tabaqat Fahil)

Moesia/Dacia (Modern-day Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria)

1. Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica)

2. Novi Sad (Ancient Cusum)

3. Singidunum (Belgrade)

4. Durostorum (Silistra)

5. Apulum (Alba Iulia)

6. Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa

7. Tomis (Constanța)

Other Regions

• Leptis Magna (Libya)

• Tingis (Tangier) - (Morocco)

• Carthage (Tunisia) - Re-founded as a Roman city.

• Caesarea (Cherchell) - (Algeria)

• Constantinople (Istanbul) - Founded by Emperor Constantine as the new capital.

This list captures many significant Roman-founded cities across the vast Roman Empire, but like with Greece, there were many smaller settlements and colonies as well.

This is an incomplete list of ancient Greek cities, including colonies outside Greece. Note that there were a great number of Greek cities in the ancient world.

Mainland Greece

1. Athens

2. Sparta (Lacedaemon)

3. Corinth

4. Thebes

5. Argos

6. Mycenae

7. Megara

8. Delphi

9. Olympia

10. Marathon

11. Elis

12. Epidaurus

13. Nauplia

14. Sicyon

15. Tiryns

16. Mantinea

17. Orchomenos

18. Pylos

19. Gythium

20. Lamia

Peloponnese

1. Messenia

2. Aegina

3. Patras

4. Tegea

5. Lerna

6. Phigalia

7. Pylos

Thessaly

1. Larissa

2. Pharsalus

3. Cranon

4. Pherae

5. Iolcus

Macedonia

1. Pella

2. Aegae (Vergina)

3. Amphipolis

4. Potidaea

5. Olynthus

6. Methone

7. Pydna

8. Beroea

Epirus

1. Dodona

2. Ambracia

3. Cassope

4. Buthrotum (Butrint)

Thrace

1. Abdera

2. Maroneia

3. Aenus

4. Thasos (Island)

5. Samothrace (Island)

6. Sestos

7. Perinthus

Islands

• Crete

  1. Knossos

  2. Phaistos

  3. Gortyn

  4. Cydonia

  5. Lato

  6. Lyktos

  7. Aptera

• Cyclades

  1. Delos

  2. Naxos

  3. Paros

  4. Mykonos

  5. Syros

  6. Tinos

  7. Andros

• Dodecanese

  1. Rhodes

  2. Kos

  3. Halicarnassus (in Caria but historically connected)

  4. Knidos

• Euboea

  1. Chalcis

  2. Eretria

• Ionian Islands

  1. Corcyra (Corfu)

  2. Zakynthos

  3. Leucas (Lefkada)

  4. Cephallenia (Kefalonia)

  5. Ithaca

Asia Minor (Modern-day Turkey)

1. Miletus

2. Ephesus

3. Smyrna (Izmir)

4. Halicarnassus

5. Colophon

6. Phocaea

7. Priene

8. Teos

9. Magnesia

10. Sardis

11. Pergamon

12. Troy (Ilium)

13. Assos

14. Cyzicus

15. Myra

16. Tarsus

Western Mediterranean Colonies

• Italy (Magna Graecia)

  1. Syracuse

  2. Tarentum (Taranto)

  3. Croton

  4. Sybaris

  5. Neapolis (Naples)

  6. Rhegium (Reggio Calabria)

  7. Locri

  8. Metapontum

  9. Elea (Velia)

  10. Cumae

  11. Posidonia (Paestum)

  12. Heraclea

• Sicily

  1. Akragas (Agrigento)

  2. Gela

  3. Messina (Zancle)

  4. Selinunte

  5. Himera

  6. Leontini

  7. Catania

• France

  1. Massalia (Marseille)

  2. Nicaea (Nice)

  3. Agde (Agathe)

  4. Antipolis (Antibes)

• Spain

  1. Emporion (Empúries)

  2. Rhode (Rosas)

Black Sea Colonies

1. Byzantium (Istanbul)

2. Chalcedon

3. Sinope

4. Amisos (Samsun)

5. Trapezus (Trebizond)

6. Odessos (Varna)

7. Tomis (Constanța)

8. Istros

9. Olbia

10. Panticapaeum (Kerch)

11. Theodosia

12. Phanagoria

13. Chersonesus

North Africa

1. Cyrene

2. Apollonia

3. Barca

4. Euesperides (Benghazi)

5. Tocra

Egypt

1. Naucratis

2. Alexandria (Founded by Alexander the Great, later period)

This list captures many of the significant ancient Greek cities and colonies, but there are countless smaller ones and variations depending on the period and sources.