What can you tell me about my Classical ancestors?

Your Classical Population match indicates which Greek, and Roman population your DNA is most similar to.

You’ll see one population for each of the Classical civilisations.

We have identified 13 distinct Classical populations from our analysis of Classical DNA samples; 8 Roman, 5 Greek, and 1 Egyptian. We compare your DNA data to each of these populations in order to determine your closest match.

Your results might show that you’re genetically most similar to:

Roman
Romans of the Levant and Caucasus

The Roman Empire was present in this region from 77 BCE - 600 CE, a time span that saw some of the very early years of the Roman Empire, through its height, and eventual fracture.

Romans of North Africa

During the 1st century BCE the Romans successfully colonised a territory in North Africa, subjugating the local nomadic peoples. It also developed thriving ceramic and mosaic industries.

Romans of Iberia

Rather than being conquered through military force, these lands and their peoples were gradually incorporated into the empire through almost two centuries of economic and cultural assimilation. 

Romans of Italy

The Italian peninsula experienced great achievements in literature, architecture, and the arts under Roman rule, particularly focussed in Rome and the surrounding areas. 

Romans of England

During 300 years of rule, the Romans built many cities, roads and monuments that still exist in England to this day. Examples include the Roman baths in the city of Bath, and Hadrian's Wall in the north of England.

Romans of Northern Europe

While never managing to subjugate the Germanic tribes beyond the Rhine, the influence of Rome in this region was substantial. Roman coin was accepted and used, and Roman roads facilitated trade between the two sides, while raids across the border were commonplace.

Romans of the Eastern Adriatic

This region includes Greece, where Rome was present from the second century BCE. Emperor Nero visited Greece in 66 CE in order to compete in the Olympic Games - a privilege usually only permitted for Greeks.

Greek

Greeks of Caucasus

In 359 BCE Southern Greek city-states became united with the Northern, under the Macedonian rule of King Phillip II.

Greeks of Iberia

Remains of the Greek harbour in the Jardin des Vestiges can be found in central Marseille, France, which was originally founded by Greeks as a trading colony, named Massalia. Excavations confirm that Phoenician Greeks had settled in southern Spain after 800 BCE.

Greeks of Greece

Most of the classical Greek cities, called city-states, were autonomous. Athens and Sparta grew to be the most important of these city-states.

Greeks of Macedonia

Macedon eventually rose from a small kingdom at the periphery of Classical Greek affairs, to one which came to dominate the entire Hellenic world. 

Greeks of Turkey and Levant

The city of Byzantium, which would go on to become Constantinople and later Istanbul, was founded by colonists from Megara in the 7th century BCE. 

Egyptian

We do not currently provide the closest sample or sample group for Egyptians due to limited availability of ancient samples, but hope to do so in the future.