Final answer:
Magna Graecia was the term used by ancient Greeks for the regions of Sicily and southern Italy where they established colonies during the Archaic period, forming independent city-states or poleis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The region referred to as Magna Graecia by the ancient Greeks, which translates to "Greater Greece," was located on the island of Sicily and in southern Italy. This name reflects the significant Greek presence and influence in these areas during the Archaic period, where many Greeks founded colonies due to a shortage of farmland in their homeland. Each of these new colonies became an independent polis with its own set of laws, land distribution among free adult males, and a unique interpretation of citizenship that emphasized equality and participation in state governance.