Attalids

Question 1

What as particularly unique about the Attalid dynasty?

Answer 1

had no direct links to AtG

Question 2

Who was the first Attalid leader? What was he doing before the kingdom was founded?

Answer 2

Philetairos
Loyalist to Seleukids, governor of Pergamon

Question 3

What did Philetairos achieve in his political success under Seleukids that laid the foundations for Attalid kingdom?

Answer 3

Degree of autonomy for Pergamon over which he had control

Question 4

Who was Philetairos’ successor? When did he take on the position?

Answer 4

Eumenes I, Phil’s nephew
263

Question 5

What was the main impact of the Attalids on the Hell world?

Answer 5

diffusion of Hellenism in A Minor and Rome

Question 6

What was Philetairos’ politically manipulative approach that boosted his and Pergamon’s status? Seleukid example?

Answer 6

took advantage of conflicts around him to make himself look better
After assassination of Seleukos I, Phil requested his body be taken to Perg to be properly cremated. From there it was given to Antiochos

Question 7

What was a special privilege granted to Philetairos under the Sels?

Answer 7

he could mint his own coinage

Question 8

What measures did Attlids initially undertake to secure their territory and make careful preps for emancipation from sel kingdom? (3)

Answer 8

reached out to neighbouring cities in need e.g. Cyzicus vs the Galatians
Hired mercenaries should the time come to protect city militarily
Founded military colony Philetaireia

Question 9

When did Eumenes fight and beat Antiochos I? What material evidence of this do we have?

Answer 9

c261 BCE
posthumous portraits of Phil on Pergamene coins

Question 10

When did the Attalids secure a victory over the Galatians? Under which leader? Impact on kingdom?

Answer 10

c237 BCE
Attalos I
Kingdom was validated in that it was founded now on ‘spear-won land’

Question 11

Which Attalid leader was the first to be officially a king? What shows this?

Answer 11

Attalos I
Shown wearing diadem in portraits

Question 12

What key element of Attalid foreign policy was solidified and emphasised by Attalos I?

Answer 12

forge alliances with smaller states who were to weak alone AND avoid alliances with larger kingdoms

Question 13

Why is there good material evidence for the Attalids

Answer 13

They had a strong policy tradition of constructing a public image at home and abroad

Question 14

What Seleukid conflict did Attalids get drawn into after an attack on Pergamon? Att reaction?

Answer 14

‘War of Brothers’ Seleukos II vs Antiochos Hierax (latter challenging for throne)
Attalos I retaliated by taking much Seleukid land

Question 15

What weakened Attalid kingdom after they had gained from taking land from Sels? When?

Answer 15

governor of A Minor, Achaios, under Antiochos III’s instruction, took back the land that was originally the Sel’s
220s

Question 16

Why did Attalids turn to Greece and Rome for stronger alliances? (2)

Answer 16

Mistrust of Seleukids and their respect for Perg’s independence
Threats from Macedonians and Bithynia

Question 17

What and When was a key moment that brought together Rome and Attalid kingdom?

Answer 17

Romans received prophecy that to win over Carthage they should accept cult of Magna Mater which originated from A Minor. Attalids helped out and transferred cult statue and sacred stone from A M to rome
205-4

Question 18

Who was Attalos I’s successor? What approach did he take with his kingdom?

Answer 18

Eumenes II, took power 197
Continued to engender relations with Rome and reject Sel kingdom

Question 19

When did the Romans defeat Antiochos III? Impact for Attalids?

Answer 19

190/89 BCE
Got access to previously Sel territory

Question 20

When did Attalids adopt new monetary policy? What did this involve?

Answer 20

180s (c188-81)
introd of cistophoric coinage in only Attalid territory

Question 21

What did the cistophoric coinage look like?

Answer 21

Obv: cista mystica (circular wicker basket w snake); around, wreath.
Rev: two serpents entwined around bow and bowcase; above, AM legend; left, civic monogram; right, serpent entwining thrysos.

Question 22

When was the Third Maced War? How were the Attalids involved? Aftermath?

Answer 22

171-168
fought with Rome but Rome got suspicious of them
Senate declared Galatians autonomous and Attalids lost independence in the Roman alliance and became the inferior party

Question 23

What demonstrates Eumenes II’ cont political agency despite dependence on Rome? (4)

Answer 23

he conducted his own wars
founded new settlements
made his own alliances
married Ariarathes IV (former roman enemy)’s daughter

Question 24

Under which Attalid king and when was the city of Pergamon transformed to a showpiece of the Hellenistic period?

Answer 24

Eumenes II
c180s

Question 25

Why is Attalos III not fully understood? What can we gather of his character?

Answer 25

sources differ and are not great in number
he was academic more than a born leader

Question 26

When was Attalid kingdom bequeathed to Rome?

Answer 26

133

Question 27

What occured on the death of Attalos III?

Answer 27

Aristonikis claimed Eumenes II to be his father and staged a coup resulting in some success but ultimately failing due to the opposition to his leadership from local kingdoms

Question 28

What did Rome do with the Attalid kingdom once it had control?

Answer 28

restored law and order
planned to reconstruct
imposed settlement for the conflicting powers of the area

Question 29

What was in upper city of Pergamon?

Answer 29

palace complex - built over multiple kings
asenals and barracks
sanct of Athena;
Heroon of Attalos I and Eumenes II;
sanct of Zeus
Great altar
political agora
theatre on side of hill
T of Dionysos

Question 30

What was in middle city of Pergamon?

Answer 30

largely residential
commercial agora
T of Demeter
pretaneion
3 part gymnasion
2 monumental fountains
fortification wall

Question 31

What led to ID of library at Pergamon?

Answer 31

podium around room’s perimeter suggesting bookshelves there
pinakes (plaques)
1/3 scale model of Athena Parthenos

Question 32

Under which king did Pergamon experience particular prosperity? Evidence?

Answer 32

Eumenes II
monumental buildings at this time and notoriety of culture of city at this time

Question 33

Around when was Great Altar of Pergamon built?

Answer 33

180s-160s

Question 34

Main features of Great Altar at Pergamon?

Answer 34

large temenos area
pi-shaped collonade
monumental inner steps
around podium = frieze; gigantomachy; larger than life figures; impreezive detail
in inner courtyard (on wall tha surrounds area w altar) = telephos frieze, the hero being connected to the city and thus representing civic prosperity and that of the Attalids

Question 35

Features of theatre at Pergamon?

Answer 35

on west slope of hill
very steep
seated c10,000 spectators
access road from agora to the theatre
temporary skene

Question 36

Characteristics of Upper gymnasion? Middle? Lower?

Answer 36

largest and m elaborate; for ephebes (?); housed a running track; poss had an open air stadium
youths used middle; small buildings around could have been school facilities
youngest boys were in lower; small buildings around could have been school facilities