Greek Colonization in the Northern Aegean
In the second half of the 8th century B.C., the Eastern and Central Mediterranean saw another wave of Greek colonisation, which continued during the whole 7th century B.C. The Macedonian and Thracian coasts also got their share. Greek colonies were founded at the Pierea (Methonè), the Chalcidiki peninsula (Mendè, Skionè, Sanè, Néapolis, Aphytis, Potidée, Toronè, Semylè, Akanthos, Stageira), the Strymona (Argilos) and on the island of Thasos, where the colonists quickly founded other colonies (Galepsos, Apollonia, Oisymè, Néapolis) on the coast in front of the island, between the Strymona and Nestos rivers.

The foundation of colonies in the Northern Aegean, of course, had been preceded by a period of exploration, contact and trade with the indigenous populations. The first to travel to this region were apparently the Euboeans, mainly the inhabitants of Eretria and Chalcis, the latter giving their name to the peninsula of « Chalcidiki ». In fact, the majority of the colonies were founded by the Euboeans, the earliest one, Methonè, at the very beginning of the 8th century B.C. Colonists from two Cycladic islands also participated in this movement. Inhabitants from Paros established themselves on the island of Thasos while others, originating from the island of Andros, founded four colonies, three of which (Sanè, Akanthos and Stageira) on the easternmost prong of the Chalkidiki peninsula, the fourth, ARGILOS, at just a few kilometers West of the Strymona river.

Map of the Northern Greece during the archaic and classical periods