Since political rights in the Archaic polis were mostly related to property or free use of land, inevitably certain critical problems emerged in mother-cities. The inhabitants wanted their own parcels. In the mother-cities a feeling of discontent developed due to farmers' debts and the exploitation or even subjugation of weak farmers. That led to tension among aristocrats and ambitious men who belonged to lower social classes.

This climate led to instances of imposed colonization of regions. Undesired citizens were obliged to participate in colonization expeditions, in order to avert the risk of possible turbulences. Such a case is the foundation of the city of Tarentum in South Italy in the years 708-706 BC by a group of young people referred to in the sources as Partheniai. During the 1st Messenian War, wives and daughters of the Spartans gave birth to illegitimate children, probably from helots. When these children grew up and claimed political rights and their request was not accepted, they organized a conspiracy, but it was brought to light. In order to avoid political disarray in Sparta, they were forced by the Spartan authorities to depart and found the colony of Tarentum (Strabo, Geographia 6.3.2-3).
Imposed colonization could take another form, as shown in the case of the city of Cyrene, founded by the inhabitants of Thera, who were picked from each family of the island.

In general, those who had the power, certainly profited by the departure of poor citizens, who went to the colonies. These people did not have any property that would enable them to survive in their mother-cities. Even though these groups of citizens did not have political power, their discontent would certainly influence political developments, especially in smaller communities.

| introduction | agriculture | trade | state organization | Archaic Period

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