Estimating the population of ancient Greece is a complex task due to the lack of accurate historical records and the different periods of ancient Greek civilization.
However, historians and archaeologists have made educated guesses based on archaeological evidence, census data, and historical accounts.
There are three periods when Greek civilization flourished, setting the blueprint of what we call today Western civilization. These are the Archaic Period (800-500 BC), Classical Period (500-323 BC), and Hellenistic Period (323-30 BC).
Therefore, the focus is on the ancient Greek population from 800 to 30 BC. It should also be taken into account that ancient Greece includes the Greek mainland, colonies, and Hellenized cities.
While estimates vary widely among scholars, a common range for the peak population of ancient Greece as defined above is between 7.5 to 10 million people. This estimate means that ancient Greece was one of the most populous regions in the world at the time.
It is important to note that these numbers are approximate and subject to debate. Factors such as the definition of “Greek” and the inclusion of slaves and non-citizens in population counts can significantly impact estimates.
For example, the ancient Greek population during the Archaic Period was, naturally, significantly less than during the Hellenistic Period when the conquests of Alexander the Great had great numbers of Greeks inhabiting Central Asia, North Africa, and the Levant. However, the estimated population of 7.5 to 10 million is the average for ancient Greece for the years 800 BC to 30 BC.
Key periods in ancient Greek population
Archaic Period (c. 800–500 BC)
During this era, Greece was not yet the highly developed society it became in later centuries. The population was smaller and mostly rural, with small towns and villages scattered across the region.
Estimates suggest that the total population of the Greek world at the time, including the mainland, Aegean islands, and Greek colonies, was likely around 1.5 to 3 million people by the end of this period.
Classical Period (c. 500–323 BC) This is the most well-known period in the history of ancient Greece. It is marked by the rise of city-states such as Athens and Sparta and significant developments in culture, politics, trade and warfare. During this time, Athens was one of the largest and most populous city-states.
At its height in the 5th century BC, Athens may have had a population of around 250,000 to 300,000 people, including free citizens, women, children, metics (foreign residents), and slaves. Of these, about 30,000 to 60,000 were adult male citizens eligible to vote.
Sparta, by contrast, had a smaller population, with about 8,000–10,000 full citizens (Spartiates) at its peak, supported by a much larger population of non-citizens, including helots (serfs) and perioikoi (non-citizen inhabitants).
Overall, the population of the Greek world during the Classical period, including all city-states and colonies, has been estimated at about 3 to 5 million people.
Hellenistic Period (323–30 BC)
Following the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Greek world expanded significantly, incorporating much of the eastern Mediterranean, parts of North Africa, and regions as far east as modern-day Pakistan.
With the spread of Greek culture and the establishment of new cities in conquered territories, the population likely increased. Alexandria, in Egypt, became one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean, with estimates suggesting a population of around 500,000 people at its height.
Overall, the population of the Greek world during the Hellenistic period could have been in the range of 5 to 10 million people, though the majority of these were not in mainland Greece but in the vast territories then under Greek influence.
Cities that stood out during the Classical Period
In ancient Greece, several cities stood out as major population centers and cultural, political, or military hubs. The largest and most influential of these were:
Athens
Estimates suggest Athens had a population of around 200,000 to 300,000 at its peak in the 5th century BC, the city’s Golden Age. This included citizens, women, children, metics (resident foreigners), and slaves.
Athens was the cultural and intellectual center of ancient Greece, known for the first democracy, the great philosophers Socrates and Plato, the Parthenon and the monumental Phidias sculptures on the Acropolis, and art. It was a powerful naval state that ruled the Aegean and the Mediterranean for a long period.
Sparta
Sparta’s total population, including its surrounding areas, might have been between 100,000 and 150,000, but this number included a large population of helots (enslaved people) who greatly outnumbered the Spartan citizens.
Sparta was famous for its militaristic society and disciplined warriors. The Spartans were fearsome warriors and along with the Athenians were the final victorious forces of the Greco-Persian wars. Sparta was a major rival of Athens and dominated the Peloponnesian League.
Corinth
Corinth’s population in its prime might have been around 90,000. Corinth was a wealthy commercial center due to its strategic location on the Isthmus of Corinth, which connected mainland Greece to the Peloponnese and was a key trading hub. It was also a colonial power with significant Greek colonies such as Syracuse, Corcyra, and Ambracia among others.
Thebes
The population of Thebes was likely around 30,000 to 50,000. Thebes was a powerful city state in Central Greece, the mythical birthplace of Heracles. It was the leading city of the Boeotian League and became particularly influential in the 4th century BC after its military victories over Sparta.
Syracuse
Syracuse was a Corinthian colony on the island of Sicily. Its population reached 100,000 or more at its peak in the 5th century BC. It was one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia (Greek colonies in southern Italy and Sicily) and was a great military and naval power.
Argos Argos likely had a population of about 30,000 to 40,000. It is known as one of the oldest ancient Greek cities, located in the northeastern Peloponnese. It played an important role in early Greek history, especially during the Mycenaean period and the Archaic Period.
Rhodes
The island of Rhodes was an important commercial and naval power with a population of about 50,000 to 60,000. The city state of Rhodes flourished during the Hellenistic Period after the death of Alexander the Great.
These seven cities were dominant in politics, trade, and culture in ancient Greece. The populations were quite large for their time, though they would be considered small by modern standards.
Ancient Greece population composition
In addition to the overall numbers, the composition of the population is also an important factor in understanding ancient Greek society. The breakdown is as indicated below.
- Free Citizens: These were adult males who had the right to vote, hold office, and participate in the political life of their city-state. In Athens, the number of adult male citizens at the height of its power was probably around 30,000 to 60,000, a small proportion of the overall population.
- Women and Children: Women and children made up a significant portion of the population, though women did not have political rights in most city-states. In Athens, women were largely confined to domestic roles, while in Sparta, they had more freedom and a somewhat higher status because they gave birth to Spartan warriors.
- Slaves: Slavery was a common institution in the ancient Greek society and population. Slaves could be captured in war, bought by slave traders, or born into slavery. They performed a wide range of tasks, from domestic labor to skilled crafts and even teaching. In Athens, it is estimated that slaves made up as much as one-third of the population.
- Metics (Foreign Residents): In cities like Athens, metics played an important role in the economy. They were often merchants, craftsmen, or laborers and contributed to the city’s prosperity, though they did not have the same rights as full citizens.
- Helots (Spartan Serfs): In Sparta, the helots were an unfree population. They were essentially serfs who worked the land to support the Spartan warrior class. The helot population was significantly larger than that of the Spartan citizens, with estimates suggesting there were seven helots for every Spartan.
Factors affecting population
Several factors affected population growth and decline in ancient Greece. These include those below.
- Warfare: Greece was frequently at war, both internally and externally. Major conflicts such as the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC) between the Athens and Sparta alliances, as well as wars with the Persian Empire, had significant effects on the population, leading to loss of life, destruction of cities, and migration.
- Disease: Epidemics, such as the Plague of Athens during the Peloponnesian War, caused significant loss of life. The plague, which struck in 430 BC, killed thousands, including the Athenian leader Pericles, and weakened the city’s power.
- Migration and colonization: Greek city-states frequently established colonies across the Mediterranean and Black Sea, especially during the Archaic and early Classical periods. These colonies helped relieve population pressure on the Greek mainland and spread Greek culture abroad. Migration also occurred within Greece as people moved to cities or fled from warfare.
- Economy and resources: The agricultural potential of the land in different regions also influenced population density. Areas with fertile soil and access to trade routes, such as Athens and Corinth, could support larger populations. In contrast, regions such as Sparta, which relied on a strict and limited agricultural system, had lower population growth.
Overall, the population of ancient Greece varied significantly across different time periods and regions. At its height during the Classical and Hellenistic periods, the Greek world likely had a population of around 7.5 to 10 million people, though much of this population was outside the Greek mainland in colonies and newly conquered territories.
