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The League of Corinth (Corinthian League). Diodorus 16. 89.
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The League of Corinth (Corinthian League) Diodorus 16. 89
In 338/7 BC King Phillip, proud of his victory at Chaeroneia by which he had humbled the leading Greek states, became ambitious to become leader of all Greece. He spread the word that he wished to undertake a war against the Persians on behalf of Greece and to punish them for the sacrilege they had committed against Greek temples. He treated them all kindly both in public and private matters and revealed to the cities that he wanted to discuss with them matters of mutual benefit. Hence he convened a general congress at Corinth and put forward his proposals for the war. By raising great hopes, he won the support of the delegates and finally the chose him as commander-in-chief of the Greek forces. He began to make great preparations for the campaign against the Persians and, after fixing the number of troops each city should contribute to the allied forces, he returned to Macedonia.
…victory at Chaeroneia… • 2nd August 338 BC • Greek Allies (Athens and Thebes) v Macedonia & Thessalian Cavalry • Allies held strong position between foothills and the Cephisus R. • Phillip orders ‘withdraw’ of Macedonian right Athenians pursue Gap opens between Athenians and Sacred Band Alexander lead companions through the Gap and wheeled left to attack Sacred band Thebians slaughtered 1000 Athenians fell, 2000 taken hostage. • Consequences: • Thebes heavily punished for ‘breaking’ and early agreement with Macedon. • Athens offered more lenient terms.
Persians… …sacrilege they had committed against Greek temples. • Persian Invasion under Xerxes 480-479BC • The idea of a war against Persia was not new… • Panegyricus 380BC – Isocrates urges for a Greek crusade against Persia. • Phillip 346BC – Isocrates sends an open letter to Phillip to lead the invasion • Demosthenes (Athenian orator) supported an Athenian lead response against Persia – but was openly hostile to a Macedonian lead campaign by Phillip the Barbarian! • Sacrilege – Xerxes has desecrated the Greek temples
…He treated them all kindly both in public and private matters… • Is this a little romanticised??? • After the battle of Chaeroneia… • Thebes: Leaders executed, pro-Macedonian oligarchy established, prisoners sold into slavery, independent treaties abolished • But then again • Athens: Disband confederacy and give up Cheronnese, Athenian prisoners were restored, gained territory from Thebes • Also… • The Greek states were ‘free and autonomous’ • But then again… • Four Macedonian garrisons held ‘strategic’ positions in Greece • Phillip was Hegemon of all Greece • Anyone allying with Persia was to be executed!
…raising great hopes, he won the support of the delegates… • A slightly different translation… • Through bribery and propaganda, military might and the threat of reprisal, he won the begrudging support of the delegates and they had no choice but to name him as the commander-in-chief of the Greek forces.
…commander-in-chief of the Greek forces. • Strategos Autokrator • Pure military role • Commander-in-chief of all Macedonain and LEAGUE forces in the field • Hegemon • Leader of the League • Military and civil • Council would pass resolutions and hegemon would implement • Phillip manipulated this position to suit his own ends. • Taxation, Macedonian status, execution of traitors
The League of Corinth (Corinthian League) Tod, Greek Historical Inscriptions, No. 177
I shall abstain from any attack… on any member state… • This was essentially a peace proposal. • All members could feel secure and safe • Philip would not have to worry about internal conflicts while he was abroad • Importantly, Macedonia did not join the League so was not bound by these clauses
I shall not subvert the kingdom of Philip and his descendants… • This was Philip’s protection clause. • If any member state tried to rise against Macedon then this would be in breach of the common peace. • … I shall make war on the transgressor… This clause meant that all members would need to make war on the state that broke the common peace. This is a big incentive NOT to break the conditions. • Alexander was assured the same privileges and protection that Philip had. This also included a hereditary right to the leadership of the League
…constitutions which existed… • Philip was shrewd in his political dealings. • He ensured that the conditions enforced on Thebes and Athens after Chaeroneia still applied And… • That the ‘autonomy’ of the member states was protected. • This autonomy was artificial in that Member States had Macedonian garrisons patroling them.
…decision of the common council and the orders of the Leader… • Common Council • Synhedrion • Elected representatives from member states • Numbers of representatives were determined by naval and military strength • Judicial powers and could impose sentences • Leader (Hegemon) • Leader of the League • Military and civil • Council would pass resolutions and hegemon would implement • Phillip manipulated this position to suit his own ends. • Taxation, Macedonian status, execution of traitors
The ‘New’ Relationship • By the time the L.O.C was actioned… • Macedonia was now in a dominant position. • The Greek States were forced to support Macedon and any attempts to resist would be meet with force. • Macedonia was the Master the Greek States were the slaves. • Just as a Master needs slaves, so to Macedon needed the resources of the Greek States. • “Philip’s policy, it seems likely, was aimed primarily at securing the advancement of Macedon and for this he found Greeks useful, perhaps essential.” (Hamilton, 1973, 28)
