Early Hellenistic Athens : leadership and diplomacy
In my thesis I examine certain aspects of the political history of Athens in the early Hellenistic period, that is after the battle of Chaironeia in 338 B.C. and until the late 260s. For Athens this was a transitional period; she had to face a completely new political reality: she was no longer the great power of the fifth or even the fourth century B.C., Macedonia rose to power, then Alexander created a huge empire and his death triggered endless struggles for power among his Successors, in which Athens found herself involved. Independent foreign policy then on the part of Athens was impossible; on the other hand, diplomacy became more delicate and demanding than ever. I focus on the ways in which the Athenian leadership (the generals and the orators) adjusted to the circumstances. Firstly, I have examined the role of the generals in diplomacy in order to establish that they did assume increased responsibilities. Secondly, I have examined the role of the orators in the formation of relations with the various monarchs, in an attempt to trace the changes that Athenian diplomacy underwent. Finally, I have dealt with an important aspect of the orators' career and an important instrument in diplomacy: the passing
Kralli, Ioanna
History
Early Hellenistic Athens : leadership and diplomacy. In my thesis I examine certain aspects of the political history of Athens in the early Hellenistic period, that is after the battle of Chaironeia in 338 B.C. and until the late 260s. For Athens this was a transitional period; she had to face a completely new political reality: she was no longer the great power of the fifth or even the fourth century B.C., Macedonia rose to power, then Alexander created a huge empire and his death triggered endless struggles for power among his Successors, in which Athens found herself involved. Independent foreign policy then on the part of Athens was impossible; on the other hand, diplomacy became more delicate and demanding than ever. I focus on the ways in which the Athenian leadership (the generals and the orators) adjusted to the circumstances. Firstly, I have examined the role of the generals in diplomacy in order to establish that they did assume increased responsibilities. Secondly, I have examined the role of the orators in the formation of relations with the various monarchs, in an attempt to trace the changes that Athenian diplomacy underwent. Finally, I have dealt with an important aspect of the orators' career and an important instrument in diplomacy: the passing
early_hellenistic athens leadership diplomacy examine certain_aspect political_history athens early_hellenistic period battle late athens transitional_period face completely new political reality longer great_power fifth even macedonia rise_power alexander create huge empire death trigger struggle power among athens find involve independent foreign_policy part athens impossible hand diplomacy become delicate ever focus way athenian leadership general orator adjust circumstance firstly_examine role general diplomacy order_establish assume increased responsibility secondly examine_role orator formation relation various monarch attempt trace_change athenian diplomacy underwent finally deal important_aspect orator career important instrument diplomacy passing