Cleruchy

A cleruchy (Greek:κληρουχία, klēroukhia) in Classical Greece, was a specialized type of colony established by Athens. The term comes from the Greek word κληροῦχος, klērouchos, literally "lot-holder".

Normally, Greek colonies were politically independent; they would have a special relationship with the mother city the metropolis but would otherwise be independent entities. Cleruchies were significantly different. The settlers or cleruchs would retain their Athenian citizenship, and the community remained a political dependency of Athens.