Note: Area in NW Asia Minor that was colonized by large numbers of Greeks speaking an Aeolic dialect beginning in 11th century BCE; including a group of ancient cities on the west coast of Anatolia. The earliest settlements, located on the islands of Lesbos and Tenedos and on the mainland between Troas and Ionia, resulted from migrations during 1130-1000 BCE. A second group of Aeolian settlements was colonized in the 7th century BCE. Its cities were eventually tributaries of the kingdom of Lydia, and were then annexed by Darius I of Persia in 6th century BCE.