Corsican History begins with the arrival of the Greeks from Phocea, in 565 BC. They set up at Aleria (Alalia), planning to make it their principal centre in the West. In 540 they defeated a coalition of their neighbours, the Etruscans and Carthaginians, but their losses were such that they had to abandon part of their colony. Aleria remained a major hub with a mix of outside populations and "barbarian" Corsicans. The latter kept their way of life but were in contact with the major powers, supplying them with mercenaries.
The strategic location of the island and the usefulness of its forests for shipbuilding made it a strategic stake in the Punic Wars. The Roman Conquest defeated the last resistance in 111. Colonies were then set up at Mariana and Aleria. While the new arrivals were moving into Corsica, Corsicans could be found throughout the Empire. The island was quickly Christianised, at least along the coasts.