Attalids Flashcards
What as particularly unique about the Attalid dynasty?
had no direct links to AtG
Who was the first Attalid leader? What was he doing before the kingdom was founded?
Philetairos
Loyalist to Seleukids, governor of Pergamon
What did Philetairos achieve in his political success under Seleukids that laid the foundations for Attalid kingdom?
Degree of autonomy for Pergamon over which he had control
Who was Philetairos’ successor? When did he take on the position?
Eumenes I, Phil’s nephew
263
What was the main impact of the Attalids on the Hell world?
diffusion of Hellenism in A Minor and Rome
What was Philetairos’ politically manipulative approach that boosted his and Pergamon’s status? Seleukid example?
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
What was a special privilege granted to Philetairos under the Sels?
he could mint his own coinage
What measures did Attlids initially undertake to secure their territory and make careful preps for emancipation from sel kingdom? (3)
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
When did Eumenes fight and beat Antiochos I? What material evidence of this do we have?
c261 BCE
posthumous portraits of Phil on Pergamene coins
When did the Attalids secure a victory over the Galatians? Under which leader? Impact on kingdom?
c237 BCE
Attalos I
Kingdom was validated in that it was founded now on ‘spear-won land’
Which Attalid leader was the first to be officially a king? What shows this?
Attalos I
Shown wearing diadem in portraits
What key element of Attalid foreign policy was solidified and emphasised by Attalos I?
forge alliances with smaller states who were to weak alone AND avoid alliances with larger kingdoms
Why is there good material evidence for the Attalids
They had a strong policy tradition of constructing a public image at home and abroad
What Seleukid conflict did Attalids get drawn into after an attack on Pergamon? Att reaction?
‘War of Brothers’ Seleukos II vs Antiochos Hierax (latter challenging for throne)
Attalos I retaliated by taking much Seleukid land
What weakened Attalid kingdom after they had gained from taking land from Sels? When?
governor of A Minor, Achaios, under Antiochos III’s instruction, took back the land that was originally the Sel’s
220s
Why did Attalids turn to Greece and Rome for stronger alliances? (2)
Mistrust of Seleukids and their respect for Perg’s independence
Threats from Macedonians and Bithynia
What and When was a key moment that brought together Rome and Attalid kingdom?
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
Who was Attalos I’s successor? What approach did he take with his kingdom?
Eumenes II, took power 197
Continued to engender relations with Rome and reject Sel kingdom
When did the Romans defeat Antiochos III? Impact for Attalids?
190/89 BCE
Got access to previously Sel territory
When did Attalids adopt new monetary policy? What did this involve?
180s (c188-81)
introd of cistophoric coinage in only Attalid territory
What did the cistophoric coinage look like?
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.
When was the Third Maced War? How were the Attalids involved? Aftermath?
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
What demonstrates Eumenes II’ cont political agency despite dependence on Rome? (4)
he conducted his own wars
founded new settlements
made his own alliances
married Ariarathes IV (former roman enemy)’s daughter
Under which Attalid king and when was the city of Pergamon transformed to a showpiece of the Hellenistic period?
Eumenes II
c180s
Why is Attalos III not fully understood? What can we gather of his character?
sources differ and are not great in number
he was academic more than a born leader
When was Attalid kingdom bequeathed to Rome?
133
What occured on the death of Attalos III?
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
What did Rome do with the Attalid kingdom once it had control?
restored law and order
planned to reconstruct
imposed settlement for the conflicting powers of the area
What was in upper city of Pergamon?
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
What was in middle city of Pergamon?
largely residential
commercial agora
T of Demeter
pretaneion
3 part gymnasion
2 monumental fountains
fortification wall
What led to ID of library at Pergamon?
podium around room’s perimeter suggesting bookshelves there
pinakes (plaques)
1/3 scale model of Athena Parthenos
Under which king did Pergamon experience particular prosperity? Evidence?
Eumenes II
monumental buildings at this time and notoriety of culture of city at this time
Around when was Great Altar of Pergamon built?
180s-160s
Main features of Great Altar at Pergamon?
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
Features of theatre at Pergamon?
on west slope of hill
very steep
seated c10,000 spectators
access road from agora to the theatre
temporary skene
Characteristics of Upper gymnasion? Middle? Lower?
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
