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Durham E-Theses Durham E-Theses Rome and Near Eastern Kingdoms and Principalities, 44-31 BC: A Study of Political Relations During Civil War VAN-WIJLICK, HENDRIKUS,ANTONIUS,MARGAR How to cite: VAN-WIJLICK, HENDRIKUS,ANTONIUS,MARGAR (2013) Rome and Near Eastern Kingdoms and Principalities, 44-31 BC: A Study of Political Relations During Civil War , Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/9387/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 ROME AND NEAR EASTERN KINGDOMS AND PRINCIPALITIES, 44-31 BC A study of political relations during civil war Hendrikus Antonius Margaretha VAN WIJLICK Abstract This thesis presents a critical analysis of the political relations between Rome on the one hand and Near Eastern kingdoms and principalities on the other hand during the age of civil war from 44 until 31 BC. In contrast to previous studies of Rome’s foreign affairs in the eastern Mediterranean glancing over this era as a result of their focus on longer periods of time during the Republic or Principate, this work yields a unique insight into the workings of Rome’s interstate dealings during a time of internal upheaval. By looking at each bilateral relationship separately both from the perspective of Rome and the kingdom or principality, it shows first and foremost the wide variety in political dealings between representatives of Roman power and Near Eastern rulers. Yet, in spite of this diversity, issues such as the political dependency of Near Eastern kings and other dynasts on Rome show that there are also some common characteristics about the relations. Ever since Pompey reorganised the eastern Mediterranean, Rome interfered on a regular basis in the internal administration and the foreign affairs of the kingdoms and principalities in the Near East. A notable exception in this case formed Parthia, the only realm that could measure up to Rome. The thesis also investigates to what extent the conduct of Rome and Near Eastern kingdoms and principalities towards one another in the period from 44 until 31 was typical for this period. Drawing upon examples from earlier eras, it shows that to a large degree the behaviour of Rome and Near Eastern realms in our age of civil war was not typical and manifests continuity with earlier periods. It thus presents a prima facie case for the re-examination of prevailing views on the specificities of Rome and the civil war in relation to international relations of the period. 1 ROME AND THE NEAR EASTERN KINGDOMS AND PRINCIPALITIES, 44-31 BC A study of political relations during civil war Hendrikus Antonius Margaretha VAN WIJLICK A thesis submitted to the Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University For the qualification of Doctor of Philosophy 2013 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................... 3 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................... 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................. 9 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 11 1 The Near East ............................................................................................................ 12 2 The Civil War, 44-31 BC ........................................................................................... 16 3 Structure of the thesis ................................................................................................ 19 4 Sources ....................................................................................................................... 23 5 Client kings ................................................................................................................ 24 PART I PRELUDE ............................................................................................................. 33 1 POMPEY’S REORGANISATION OF THE NEAR EAST, 66-63 BC ................... 34 1.1 The end of the Great Armenian Empire ................................................................. 36 1.2 War in the Caucasus and the relations with the Parthians .................................... 44 1.3 Amisus and the friendship with Antiochus of Commagene ................................... 48 1.4 Amicitia and Societas ........................................................................................... 53 1.5 The war against Darius the Mede and the dissolution of the Seleucid Kingdom... 58 1.6 Pompey’s dealings with the Emisenoi and his reorganisation of the Princedom of Chalcis ........................................................................................................................... 61 1.7 The reorganisation of Judaea .................................................................................. 64 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 67 PART II.A 44-42 BC ........................................................................................................... 69 2 PARTHIA .................................................................................................................... 70 2.1 Parthian support for Cassius .................................................................................. 71 2.2 The embassy of Labienus and the Battle of Philippi ............................................... 75 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 77 3 PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM ......................................................................................... 79 3.1 Supporting Dolabella .............................................................................................. 80 3 3.2 Recognition for Ptolemy XV Caesarion .................................................................. 81 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 83 4 JUDAEA ...................................................................................................................... 84 4.1 Judaean support for the Caesareans in Syria .......................................................... 86 4.2 The imposition of financial contributions ............................................................... 91 4.3 Herod’s promotion .................................................................................................. 95 4.4 Internal conflicts and Cassius ................................................................................ 97 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 98 5 PRINCEDOM OF CHALCIS .................................................................................... 99 5.1 Chalcidaean support for Caecilius Bassus ............................................................ 100 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 103 6 THE EMISENOI ....................................................................................................... 104 6.1 Caecilius Bassus and the Emisenian support ....................................................... 105 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 108 7 MEDIA ATROPATENE .......................................................................................... 109 7.1 Median mounted bowman at Philippi .................................................................. 109 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 111 PART II.B 42-31 BC ......................................................................................................... 112 8 PARTHIA .................................................................................................................. 113 8.1 The Parthian invasion of Syria and Asia Minor .................................................. 114 8.2 Antony’s Parthian campaign ............................................................................... 121 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 129 9 PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM ....................................................................................... 131 9.1 Antony and Cleopatra in Cilicia........................................................................... 131 9.2 The assassination of Arsinoe ...............................................................................
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