Part 4/10:
Southern Italy underwent substantial transformations with the arrival of Greek colonists who established numerous settlements along the coast, significantly influencing the region's culture and genetics. To this day, areas like Calabria and Sicily still reflect their Greek heritage, evident in the communities of Greek speakers known as the Griko.
Meanwhile, the Phoenicians—known for their maritime prowess—also left their mark on Italy, eventually evolving into the Carthaginians. The competition between the burgeoning Roman state and Carthage would ignite the historic Punic Wars, setting the stage for Rome’s expansion and dominance across the Mediterranean.