Ancient Greek Civilization

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

Timeline 8 The Hellenistic Period.


The territory of the Antigonid kingdom of Macedon consisted of Macedon itself and, at various times,
different portions of mainland Greece. It was, therefore, the direct descendant of Philip’s Macedonian
kingdom, and its relationship with the Greek poleis was similar to what had been the relationship
between Macedon and Greece in the mid-fourth century. That is, many of the Greek cities were nominally
free and independent “allies” of the Macedonian king. Some managed to retain real independence from
Macedonian power, like Sparta, which continued to pose as the “liberator” of the Greek poleis, engaging
in periodic wars with cities that were allied with Macedon. And some of the cities that were “allies” of
the Macedonian kingdom attempted occasionally to revolt from the alliance, with varying degrees of
success. The military might of the region, however, lay largely in the hands of the Macedonian king and
his professional army. The citizen armies and navies that had been a feature of the Greek polis in the
Classical Period could no longer compete successfully with the well-financed mercenary forces of the
Antigonid kingdom or of the other Hellenistic kingdoms. These armies could also create a sense of
security in the Greek poleis; provided that they were willing to tolerate Macedonian control, the citizens
of the Greek poleis could go about their business without the fear that they might have to take up arms to
defend their homeland. On the other hand, for those citizens who were drawn to the military life, the
professional armies of the Hellenistic kings provided an almost constant source of employment and
adventure.

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