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Clash of Titans: New Insights into the Legendary Naval Battle of Alalia
In the 6th century BC. The Great Greek Colonization faced powerful rivals in the Mediterranean. The Carthaginians and Etruscans faced the Greeks. This is how the naval battle of Alalia played out.
The Tyrrhenian Sea in the 6th century BC became the arena of naval battles between the Greeks, Carthaginians and Etruscans. In the middle of this century, a great battle was to take place that decided the Greeks’ withdrawal from the region. How great was this defeat for the Greek people? What do we know about the legendary Battle of Alalia?
Great Greek colonization and competitors in the Mediterranean Sea
The period of the 6th century BC brought thriving Greek colonization activity in the western Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Various Greek cities established their colonies, which grew rapidly. Over time, some of them became independent political players.
In addition to the Greeks themselves, Phoenician cities also organized an intensive colonization campaign. The most powerful of their colonies quickly became a new maritime power. This was Carthage, whose inhabitants, like those of other Phoenician cities, are also called Punians.
