Arcadian League

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Map of the ancient Peloponnese - Arcadia in the middle

A federal amalgamation of several Arcadian cities ( Greek Poleis ) in the 4th century BC is referred to as the Arcadian League . The preceding collapse of the Lacedaemonian hegemony over the Peloponnesian peninsula encouraged the efforts of the Arcadian poleis to unite, which culminated in a synoicism . The founding year can be around 371 to 369 BC. The exact time until the end of this covenant in the 3rd century BC. According to the current state of research, it cannot be determined. The only thing that is certain is that the Arcadian Confederation, at the latest when its member cities convert to the Aitolian Confederation and partly to the Achaean Confederation, in the 3rd century BC. Was dissolved.

The capital of this covenant was Megalopolis , which was newly founded for this purpose by incorporating a large number of Arcadian cities and communities. Despite the initial success in putting a stop to Sparta's hegemonic aspirations , disagreements and quarrels developed over time between the Arcadian member cities, which ultimately led to the federation gradually losing its influence and its members turning to other federal structures.

This article deals with the so-called First Arcadian League.

founding

Silver coin from Megalopolis with the image of Zeus, on the reverse the emblem of the Arcadian League (ligature)

prehistory

Immediately before the unification of the Arcadian Poleis, the Theban general Epaminondas had succeeded in inflicting a devastating defeat on the Lacedaemonian army at Leuctra , in which a large number of Spartan soldiers had lost their lives. Weakened by this defeat in their exercise of power, the hegemonic influence of the Lacedaemonians on the Peloponnesian peninsula diminished, which in turn led to a strengthening of anti-Spartan forces. This movement emanated from the Polis Mantineia , which had been most humiliated by the Lacedeimonian hegemony. At that time, the statesman Lykomedes set the tone in Mantineia , at whose efforts the city was rebuilt more splendidly and also provided with a city wall, the rest of which are still visible today. Furthermore, Lykomedes caused the establishment of a new polis in Arcadia, which should function as the capital of the newly founded federation: Megalopolis.

Laying of the foundation stone

The exact year the Arcadian League was founded varies by a few years in the sources. The years 371–368 BC can be recorded. Chr .; it can be vaguely assumed that the construction of Megalopolis began in 371 and ended in 368. According to the deed of foundation, the Poleis sent Mantineia, Tegea , Kleitor , as well as the Gaue of the Mainalier and Parrhasier each two Oikists. 40 municipalities should also be dissolved in order to merge into the federal capital. The Mainalis dissolved 10 of their cities, the Aigytes 6, the Parrhasians 8, the Kynurians 4; the number of poleis belonging to Orchomenos was 3, as was the municipality of Tripoli . In addition, attempts were made to unite the most important religious cults in the new capital, for example by founding a sanctuary of Zeus Lykaios, Apollon Epicurios and other gods.

Constitution

It was agreed from the outset that the Poleis Tegea, Mantineia and Kleitor would retain their town charter. Decisions at the federal level were made by the μυρίοι (myríoi), a council that met in a large hall in the federal capital. The myrioi had at their disposal the corps of 5000 ἐπάριτοι (epáritoi), which were led by one or two strategists. As an influential federal politician, Lykomedes had a proven position as strategist.

Military actions and internal disputes

Orchomenos and Heraia were skeptical of the alliance from the time the foundation stone was laid; many more other Poleis disrupted the cohesion of the union. In Tegea in particular, fierce party battles were the order of the day; there the national party had gained power with the help of the mantine eggs after the oligarchs there were usually loyal to Sparta.

Martial efforts

Overview of the different warring parties

The military center was initially Asea. Meanwhile, the Arcadians were also keen to get help from abroad. Because of Athens' rejection , they turned to Thebes, where they met willing ears. The Arcadians initially joined in 369 BC. In the course of the Epaminondas, during which they conquered Pellene and plundered the laconic plain. In the following year Epameinondas led a campaign for the second time, Arcadians, Argeians and Eleans remained loyal to him. The Arcadians themselves made some successful moves to Laconia at the instigation of Lycomedes, where they won a victory at Asine . In the same year, however, Archidamos III. of Sparta to achieve an outstanding victory over the Arcadians after retaking Karyai and raising troops in Parrhazian territory. In the meantime, there was an upset between the Arcadian League and Thebes, as the Arcadians did not want to be influenced by the Thebans. As a result, Lykomedes brokered an alliance with Athens, which was also not satisfied with Thebes. However, on his return trip he was murdered.

After peace negotiations, which resulted in only a short truce, a new war broke out against Elis in 365 , while Archidamos operated with varying successes in the southern areas of the Arcadian League. Meanwhile, the Arcadians occupied Olympia and, supported by the Argei and the Athenians, fought a victorious battle against the attacking Eleans.

Internal friction

But now a dispute arose in the Arcadian camp: Mantineia protested against the fact that the Epiratioi should be paid with the Olympic temple property. The federal government threatened Mantineia with execution, but stopped paying wages altogether. Therefore, the poorer of the Epiratioi left the league and the structure became more of a collection of wealthier aristocrats. In contrast, the Democrats tried with the help of a Theban army contingent to help their cause in Tegea to victory, which they failed. But this gave Epameinondas a reason to interfere in the dispute. The split in the Arcadian League now took on visible traits: the mantine eggs and their appendages joined forces in the Attic archon year 362/1 BC. To the Athenians and Achaeans, while the Eleans and Phleisaians joined Sparta. In contrast, the megapolites stayed on the side of the Boioter . After the Battle of Mantineia in August 362 BC. A general peace was made from which only Sparta stayed away. Just one year later, new unrest broke out as the citizens who had been incorporated with the founding of the federal capital pushed back into their old pole ice. It was only with the help of the Thebans and Pammenes that the megapolites became master of the rebellion.

resolution

Megalopolis remained as a city, but its position as the leading place of the Arcadian League gradually decreased. 352 BC King Archidamos III tried . of Sparta in vain to take the city supported by Messenia , Argos, Sikyon and Thebes, while Athens acted repugnant to it. The eyes of the megapolites now turned to the growing power of the Macedonians . They remained neutral when 338 BC. The decisive battle fell at Chaironeia . After the Bundestag in Corinth , Philip II arrived with his army in Arcadia and was well received.

The process of dissolving the Arcadian League was more of a gradual process than an isolated occurrence. With the growing influence of Macedonia, the Arcadian League lost its importance. The further development after 362 BC Chr. Was diffuse, while sources indicate that the alliance was resurrected in some form.

Remarks

  1. ^ A b Friedrich Hiller von Gaertringen : Arkadia. In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume II, 1, Stuttgart 1895, Col. 1127-1133.
  2. ^ Fine, John: The Ancient Greeks. A critical history. Cambridge; London 1983.
  3. ↑ Xenophon , Hellenika 6, 4.
  4. ↑ Ernst von Stern: History of the Spartan and Theban hegemony from the peace of the king to the battle of Mantineia. Dorpat 1884, p. 157.
  5. ^ Pausanias 8:27 .
  6. ^ Pausanias 8:30 , 8.
  7. ↑ Xenophon, Hellenika 7, 3, 1.
  8. ^ J. Larsen: Greek Federal States: Their Institutions and History. Oxford: 1986, pp. 180-196.
  9. ^ J. Fine: The Ancient Greeks: A Critical History. P. 579.
  10. ↑ Xenophon, Hellenika 6, 5, 11, 15.
  11. ↑ Diodorus 15, 62.
  12. ↑ Diodorus 15, 62.
  13. ↑ Xenophon, Hellenika 7, 1; Plutarch , Agesilaus 33.
  14. ↑ Xenophon, Hellenika 7, 4.
  15. ↑ Xenophon, Hellenika 7, 4, 12–32.
  16. ↑ Xenophon, Hellenika 7, 4.
  17. ↑ Polybios 4:33 ; Diodorus 15, 94.
  18. ^ Diodorus 15, 94.
  19. ^ Oxford Classical Dictionary , Article: Arcadian League .

literature

  • Ernst von Stern : History of the Spartan and Theban hegemony from the peace of the king to the battle of Mantineia . Dissertation. Dorpat 1884.
  • John Fine: The Ancient Greeks: A Critical History . Cambridge / London 1983.
  • J. Larsen: Greek Federal States. Their Institutions and History . Oxford 1986.