Final answer:
The "fourth phase" of Greek colonization during the Archaic period involved the expansion of Greek colonies throughout the Mediterranean, including regions known as Magna Graecia, Cyrene, and Massalia, contributing to the spread of Greek culture and political ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "fourth phase" of Greek colonization refers to the expansion and establishment of Greek colonies during the Archaic period. With the prosperity of trade following the end of the Dark Ages, Greek merchants and colonists expanded across the Mediterranean. This phase saw Greeks establishing colonies as far as the Black Sea in the north, Spain in the west, and on the North African coast. Notable among these colonies were those in the region called Magna Graecia in southern Italy and Sicily, as well as Cyrene in Libya and Massalia in southern Gaul (modern-day Marseille). Aside from serving economic purposes, such as the needs of their commercial shipping network, these colonies also experienced a cultural impact. For example, Julius Caesar found the Celts writing in the Greek alphabet, and Greek metalwork was located as far as northern France, showing that Greek influence was widespread. Greek colonies operated independently as polis, with land division among free adult males marking a new era in local governance and ideas of citizenship based on equality and participation. Ultimately, this colonization phase was driven by the need for new farmland and the desire for trade expansion, which resulted in the diffusion of Greek culture and political models across the Mediterranean landscape.