FREEDOM FOR THE GREEKS

The Hellenistic period, a world of vast empires and Greco-Mace-donian dynasties, bears little resemblance to the earlier period of Greek history, with its city states, both great and small. How-ever, despite the vast power differences between the city states and the monarchies, diplomacy was still as important as ever.

Owain Williams

THEME: Hellenistic diplomacy THEME THE BASIS OF HELLENISTIC DIPLOMACY With the Greek world being divided between over 1000 poleis, each of which was a possibly enemy or ally, diplomacy was a must. Otherwise, war – the failure of diplomacy – was inevitable, and the events of the fifth century BC show just how destructive war between the Greek poleis could be, as entire cities were destroyed and their people either killed or sold into slavery. The Greek poleis had long had to contend with powers far larger than their own. The Persian Empire, notably, was consistently involved in Greek affairs for most of the fifth and fourth centuries BC. However, with the rise of Macedon and, after the death of Alexander the Great, the creation of the Hellenistic successor kingdoms, the…

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Ancient History (Digital) - 1 Issue, AH 49

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