Ancient and Classical Eras: History of War Refugees Series (2)

War has always left more than just ruins and shifting borders—it leaves people, real people, suddenly without homes, without safety, and often without hope. Long before the modern refugee crisis entered public discourse, ancient families were fleeing burning cities, crossing borders in desperation, and trying to hold on to their identities while everything familiar slipped away. From dusty roads of Mesopotamia to the crumbling gates of Troy, the ancient and classical worlds were filled with lives uprooted by conflict. This article offers a closer look at some of the earliest stories of forced migration—stories not just of power and politics, but of heartbreak, courage, and survival.

The Assyrian Empire's Deportation Policies

One of the earliest examples of state-enforced population displacement comes from the Assyrian Empire, which ruled Mesopotamia between the 9th and 7th centuries BCE. The Assyrian kings, determined to expand and secure their rule, often forced entire populations from their homes. These mass deportations weren’t random or chaotic—they were carefully planned. By uprooting communities and resettling them far from their native lands, the empire aimed to break resistance, dilute local identities, and repopulate other areas under their control.

But behind the imperial calculations were ordinary people—farmers, artisans, children, elders—suddenly told to leave everything behind. One day, they were part of a village with familiar rhythms and rituals; the next, they were strangers in a strange land, trying to rebuild from nothing. They lost more than houses or harvests—they lost a sense of belonging. Entire cultures were fractured. Family ties were severed. And the memories of home became just that—memories. For the Assyrians, it was a method of power. For the deported, it was the beginning of a painful exile that would shape generations to come (Oded, 1979).

The Trojan War and the Myth of Aeneas

Though wrapped in myth, the Trojan War—as recounted by later authors—offers a deeply human narrative of survival and migration. After Troy’s fall, legend has it that Aeneas, a Trojan prince, led a group of refugees across the Mediterranean in search of a new home. Virgil's Aeneid presents this journey not just as the foundation myth of Rome but as a tale of loss, hope, and resilience. Whether or not Aeneas was a historical figure, the story reflects a timeless reality: war uproots people, and those people carry their memories, cultures, and ambitions with them (Virgil, trans. West, 2003).

Greek City-States and Internal Displacement

The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE), fought between Athens and Sparta, didn’t just shape the fate of city-states—it shattered the lives of countless ordinary Greeks. Thucydides, the great historian of the war, describes how rural families flooded into Athens seeking safety from Spartan raids. The city swelled beyond its capacity, leading to dire overcrowding. Diseases spread rapidly, and the infamous plague of 430 BCE devastated the population. For many, the hope of protection turned into a nightmare of suffering and loss. Their stories remind us that in times of war, even those fleeing to safety can find themselves in peril (Thucydides, trans. Crawley, 1910).

The Migration Period and the Fall of the Western Roman Empire

The 4th and 5th centuries CE saw dramatic shifts across Europe, as entire peoples migrated in search of refuge from violence and instability. Known as the Migration Period, this era included the movements of the Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, and others—many of whom were pushed by the ferocity of the Huns. These groups weren’t merely invading forces; they were displaced communities looking for safety. The Visigoths, for example, sought asylum within Roman territory but were exploited and mistreated, which sparked rebellion and the disastrous Battle of Adrianople in 378 CE. The failure to accommodate displaced populations weakened the Western Roman Empire (Heather, 2005).

The Jewish Diaspora and the Bar Kokhba Revolt

Jewish history in the Roman era is marked by repeated cycles of conflict and displacement. After the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE, tensions continued to fester. The Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–136 CE) was a desperate struggle for autonomy—but its failure led to a brutal crackdown. Thousands were killed, others enslaved, and countless more driven into exile. These refugees scattered across the empire, forming new communities that would come to define the Jewish Diaspora. What began as a fight for survival turned into centuries of cultural resilience in exile (Goodman, 2010).

The Diaspora Revolt and Its Aftermath

Even before the Bar Kokhba Revolt, Jewish communities faced violence during the Diaspora Revolt (115–117 CE), a lesser-known but deeply destructive series of uprisings in Cyrenaica, Cyprus, and Egypt. These revolts and their harsh suppression resulted in near-total destruction of Jewish populations in some areas. Properties were confiscated, entire communities vanished, and the trauma reverberated for generations. These were not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern in which minority groups bore the brunt of imperial backlash (Smallwood, 1976).

The Elymians: Refugees of the Ancient World

Displacement doesn’t always end in despair. For example, Elymians, descendants of Troy escaped a war but didn’t vanish. Instead, they sailed across the sea and began again in western Sicily. There, they built new homes in places like Segesta and Eryx. Over time, they didn’t just survive.   Their journey wasn’t just about survival—it was about resilience, renewal, and the power of starting over.

While historical evidence is mixed, their story—like that of Aeneas—captures a familiar theme: from ruin can emerge renewal. The Elymians represent how displaced peoples can reshape the places they settle, weaving new identities into existing cultures (Thucydides, trans. Crawley, 1910).

Conclusion

Reviewing these ancient stories of displacement, one thing is clear: behind every migration is a deeply human experience. Families torn apart. Homes left behind. Futures uncertain. Yet time and again, those forced to flee found ways to endure, adapt, and carry their identities forward. The ancient and classical periods offer not only a historical foundation for understanding forced migration, but also a reminder of the courage and resilience that define the refugee experience—then and now.

Bibliography

Goodman, Martin. Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations. New York: Vintage, 2010.

Heather, Peter. The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Osborne, Robin. Greece in the Making 1200–479 BC. London: Routledge, 1996.

Smallwood, E. Mary. The Jews Under Roman Rule: From Pompey to Diocletian. Leiden: Brill, 1976.

Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War. Translated by Richard Crawley. London: J.M. Dent & Sons, 1910.

Virgil. The Aeneid. Translated by David West. London: Penguin Classics, 2003.