Magna Graecia

Magna Graecia was a state in Italy (Europe) that lasted from c. 750 to 272 BCE, about 478 years. Its people spoke Greek languages (Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek).

Greek colonies of southern Italy, from Cumae and Taras to Croton, where Pythagoras taught. Rome took Taras in 272 BCE after Pyrrhus withdrew.

See Magna Graecia on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 750 to 272 BCE
Duration: 478 years
Type: State
Region: Italy, Europe
Language family: Greek
Capital: Taras, Croton, Sybaris

Events in Europe during its time

508 BCE Athenian democracy
480 BCE Battle of Salamis
334 BCE Alexander invades Persia

Neighbours in Europe

Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE
Athens 508 to 322 BCE
Empire of Alexander the Great 336 to 323 BCE
Sparta c. 900 to 192 BCE
Etruscan civilization c. 720 to 90 BCE
Kingdom of Macedon c. 700 to 168 BCE
Syracuse c. 734 to 212 BCE
Roman Kingdom c. 753 to 509 BCE
Bosporan Kingdom c. 480 BCE to 370 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East
Ptolemaic Kingdom 305 to 30 BCE, North and West Africa
Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
Maurya Empire 322 to 185 BCE, South Asia
Empire of Alexander the Great 334 to 312 BCE, Middle East

Questions

When did Magna Graecia exist?

c. 750 to 272 BCE, about 478 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Magna Graecia?

Italy, in Europe. Its capital was Taras, Croton, Sybaris.

What language did Magna Graecia speak?

Greek. This family includes Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek.