什么是殖民地

指古代由希腊（西元前8世纪～西元前6世纪）、亚历山大大帝（西元前4世纪）和罗马（西元前4～西元2世纪）在征服地建立的新居民点。希腊的殖民地延伸到义大利、西西里、西班牙和地中海东部（包括埃及）和黑海。亚历山大更远至中亚、南亚和埃及。罗马的殖民地大致涵盖了前面的地区，还包括了非洲南部、西班牙西部、不列颠北部和德国。建立殖民地的原因有扩展贸易、取得原料、解决政治的不稳定和人口过剩问题、渴望获得土地和奖赏。虽然常有叛乱发生，殖民地仍维持对母国的关系和忠诚。西元前177年後罗马的殖民地，殖民者保有罗马公民籍，享受应有的一切公民权利。古代的殖民地将希腊化和罗马文化传布到帝国最远可达的地方。国外殖民可协助当地居民罗马化，其中若干当地人民被同化并取得罗马公民籍。

colony

In antiquity, any of the new settlements established in conquered territory by the Greeks (8th-6th century BC), Alexander the Great (4th century BC), and the Romans (4th century BC-2nd century AD). Greek colonies extended to Italy, Sicily, Spain, the eastern Mediterranean (including Egypt), and the Black Sea. Alexander pushed even farther into Central Asia, South Asia, and Egypt. Roman colonization covered much of the same area and regions south to Africa, west to Spain, and north to Britain and Germany. Reasons for colonizing included expansion of trade, acquisition of raw materials, resolution of political unrest or overpopulation, and craving for land and rewards. Colonies retained ties and loyalty to the mother state, though rebelliousness was not uncommon. In Roman colonies after 177 BC, colonists retained Roman citizenship and could exercise full political rights. Ancient colonization spread Hellenic and Roman culture to the far reaches of the empires, often assimilating local populations, some of whom acquired citizenship in the mother state.