Hellenism 101 and 202

Hellenism 202 and Roman Literature I

I. Hellenism 101: Earliest sources of contact with Greek East
A. Aeneas a refugee from Troy, Mycenean era
B. Sabines claim Spartan origin, Mycenean or Dark Ages era (?)
C. Tarquin I was a son of Demaratus, an exile from Corinth, 600 BC
D. Obvious other Greek-Etruscan roots (pottery, alphabet), 600 BC
E. Tarquin II sent his sons to Delphi (not Cumae) to interpret an omen
F. Some trade with Magna Graecia including grain in the 430s.
G. A few religious cults including Heracles, Castores, Apollo

II. Trickle of Greek thought into Roman World
A. Increased trade with Magna Graecia
B. Cult of Aesculapius on Tiber Island, 291 BC how is this date determined?
C. War with Pyrrhus brought Macedonian war technology to Italy, 280-75
D. Contact and alliance with the enemies of Macedon, 215-05
E. Cult of Magna Mater (Cybele) brought to Rome 205/04
F. Scipio adopts Greek clothing and culture in 205 while in Sicily

III. Hellenism 202: Trickle becomes a Flood 200-150
A. Greek luxury goods enter R markets
B. Greek political philosophy and thought
C. Greek literature, especially comedies and epic
D. Greek replaced Etruscan as the foreign language in Roman schools
E. Greek vocabulary enters upper class Latin and especially literature
F. Greek physicians and tutors become the sine qua non
G. Negative Greek qualities emerge – greed, dishonesty, selfish motives
H. Backlash seen in Plutarch Cato Major, reaction to Bacchanalial Cult 186.

IV. Roman Foreign Policy in Greek East (215-195)
A. Philip V declared war on Rome out of the blue in 215 (why then?)
B. Rome allies with Aetolians and soon Pergamum against Philip, but prefers to fight Philip “to the last Greek.” Greeks unhappy. Peace of Phoenice 205
C. Rome improves reputation and makes ties with Pergamum, Athens, Rhodes, coming to their defense in 2MW when Philip V (imitating Philip II) fights in the N. Aegaean Sea and rejects the R ultimatum.
D. Eventual R. success, T. Quinctius Flamininus announces the Freedom of the Greeks at Isthmian Games, 196. Flamininus totally Hellenized.
E. Romans withdraw forces from East

V. the Roman version
A. Philip V attacked us for no reason in 215 (revenge or some other anxiety?)
B. Sulpicius Galba (cos. 200) pushes Senate to declare war, but C. Cent reject it.
Galba “war now in Greece, or later in Italy, a new Pyrrhus.” C. Cent declare war
C. Little success until the wonderkind Flamininus elected consul, 198.
D. In 197 at Cynoscephalae Flamininus destroys flower of Mac army – 25,000 KIA.
E. Romans never made war to conquer Greece, but a pre-emptive defense.
F. Macedon reduced in territory, 1000 talent indemnity, loss of fleet, son a hostage
G. Roman withdrawl.

VI. The Syrian War (192-190)
A. Greeks soon start fighting among themselves
B. Antiochus III and Philip V consider dividing Egypt’s territory
C. Antiochus III (a new Alexander want-to be) turns on Greece, invades
D. Rome invades and Acilius Glabrio with Cato defeats Ant III at Thermoylae
E. Rs chase Ant III out of Europe, L. Scipio Asiaticus beats him at Magnesia, 191
F. Philip V rewarded for providing support in the war
G. Antiochus III clipped totally and loses land, $, stability. Syrian Empire begins to crumble, a long process of 100 years w/o substantial recovery
H. Romans evacuate for 20 years

VII. Coming of the Third Macedonian War
A. The Lion in Winter, Philip V at age 60 : rearming or true to Roman alliance?
B. Philip’s sons lead factions - Demetrius vs Perseus; Demetrius put to death, 180
C. Perseus succeeds, 179, enhances stature of Mac.; P marries Laodice a Seleucid princess, his sister marries Prusias II; starts anti-Pergamum policy
D. Roman jealousy or genuine alarm at a threat?
E. R declares war, 169, Perseus ably defends Mac.
F. L. Aemilius Paullus crushes the phalanx at Pydna, conquers Mac. Pers captured
G. Macedon divided into 4 republics, Pers matches in Paullus’ tragic triumph

VIII. Achaean War, Sparta, the occupation of Greece
A. Achaea had opposed R in FMW, joined her in SMW and TMW. But grew too large from R patronage and opposed R policy in 150s.
B. Sparta wanted out of Achaean League; Rome assented, Achaeans declared war
C. A pretender, Andriscus, in Macedon rose up and defeated a Roman force
D. Rome faced 3 wars: TPW, Achaean War, FMW – all easy. Polybius a hostage
E. New Roman policy: occupy Greece, they can not be trusted to behave.