Athenians in Italy

Before the Battle of Salamis, much of the Greek fleet wished to either return home or meet the Persian fleet in the open sea. Themistocles, the Athenian naval commander, warned them that this was a foolish move. When they still wouldn't listen, he threatened to take his fleet and people and settle is Siris in Italy. Without the Athenian navy, the Greeks would be at less than half strength, and so accepted Themistocles' plan.

However, what if they had refused? With Athens burned, Themistocles and the Athenians go on to settle in Italy. What would be the affects on history?
 

Sissco

Banned
Themistocles and the Athenians go on to settle in Italy.

I'm not familar with Greek History....since when did the Greeks know of Italy's existance this early? Were there actual Greeks Living in Italy before the Roman Empire actually got started? :eek:

Anyone know any Good websites I can look up and read into this- Ancient Greeks living in Ancient Rome before the Republic even Existed??:eek::eek::eek::eek:

sissco
 

Sissco

Banned
Most of Southern Italy was culturally Greek........

The "boot part" was known as Magna Graecia......

:eek::eek::eek: So when the Roma Empire eventually got going....they were conquering Greeks from day one???? Did the southern Italian tribes, south of Rome, Speak Greek??

My Little Brother was right - I learn something new everyday :eek:

sissco
 

JohnJacques

Banned
Pretty much.

My Roman history is a few years back, but as I understand it, the cities were heavily Greek in the South and the rural areas were of mixed extraction (usually native tribes)

Sicily was also heavily greek.
 
Definately too early to pre-empt the Romans. The only thing this achieves, I think, is that the Italo-Greeks of Siris get themselves an experienced corps of sailors, and Athens would have to sue for peace with the Persians. And Thermopylae becomes a historical footnote. The sacrifice of Leonidas' Spartans and their Thespian allies would be for naught.
 
Definately too early to pre-empt the Romans. The only thing this achieves, I think, is that the Italo-Greeks of Siris get themselves an experienced corps of sailors, and Athens would have to sue for peace with the Persians. And Thermopylae becomes a historical footnote. The sacrifice of Leonidas' Spartans and their Thespian allies would be for naught.

One thing might be interesting in a Greeks lose scenario.

No, Phillipp. No, Alexander.

Just the clash of the romans and Persians. Admit it, it would be great.
 
:eek::eek::eek: So when the Roma Empire eventually got going....they were conquering Greeks from day one????
sissco

Yes they were conquering Greeks from day one. It was the hellenic world before it became latin.

And then, amusingly, hellenic again.

But yes, your little brother is right. You learn new things every day. Only when you think you know it all you stop learning. (And you learn everything again every day unless you are unwilling to learn).
 

Sissco

Banned
But yes, your little brother is right. You learn new things every day. Only when you think you know it all you stop learning. (And you learn everything again every day unless you are unwilling to learn).

Me thinks me needs to be more open minded and not so close minded to new ideas! :p

sissco
 
Me thinks me needs to be more open minded and not so close minded to new ideas! :p

sissco

Well everyone needs to be sort of. :cool:

Anyway, as a Greek and Roman fan it really surprised me how Hellenic the mediterreanean had already become. When I found out.
And it happened late.
 
Some of the Greek cities in Southern Italy might pre-date or at least be in the same neighborhood as Rome. Rome was 753 and I know the Greeks were starting around the 8th century.
 
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