Greek Polis and Federation: From the Archaic to Late Hellenistic Period

Pre-requisites: No prerequisites.

Course objectives: Gaining knowledge regarding the development of the greek polis and creation of political and state alliances in the hellenic world from the archaic to the late hellenistic period.

Course description: This course examines political and inter-state opportunities in the greek world during the archaic, classical and hellenistic period that led to the creation and development of the greek polis, on the one hand, and strengthening of federalization and political alliances that superseded the polis as a city-state, on the other hand. The structure of a polis as the basic and dominant form of hellenic state organization will be examined. We will analyze political alliances during the archaic period (amphyctyony), and political alliances in the classical period from the Peloponnesians under Sparta and Delian League under Athens to the numerous types of koine that appeared in the hellenistic and roman period, frequently under the patronage of hellenistic rulers and Romans.

Learning Outcomes: Mastered political terminology regarding greek city-states and understanding concepts in federalization and other forms of political alliances during the archaic to the late hellenestic period.

Literature/Reading:

• V. Ehrenberg, The Greek State, London 1969.
• M. Rostovtzeff, The Social and Economic History of the Hellenistic World, Oxford 1941.
• J. A. O. Larsen, Representative Government in Greek and Roman History, Berkeley 1966.
• J. A. O. Larsen, Greek Federal States, Oxford 1968.
• F. Adcock, D. Mosley, Diplomacy in Ancient Greece, London 1975.
• R. Brock, Alternatives to Athens, Oxford 2000