Pacyfikacja i okupacja? Wybrane aspekty ateńskiej polityki wobec sprzymierzeńców z II Związku Morskiego
Pacification and Occupation? Selected Aspects of Athenian Policy towards its Allies in the Second Maritime League

Summary/Abstract: This article is an attempt to determine the nature of the Athenian garrisons that were situated in other member states of the Second Maritime League (fourth century BC). This issue is related to the broader problem regarding the nature of this alliance, often perceived by modern scholars through the prism of its predecessor (the fifth century Delian League), as an instrument of Athens’ imperial policy. In this case, having military posts in other member states, in addition to tasks related to the projection of power against external opponents, would also serve to guarantee the dominance of Athens over its allies. From a modern point of view, they could therefore have an occupational character, although the regulations governing the functioning of the symmachy contained guarantees to protect its members from such situations. The article focuses on material that regards the use of garrisons to interfere in the internal affairs of allied poleis. The source material, however, contains a rather modest amount of similar information. Moreover, the analysis suggests that responsibility for cases of abuse tended to lie with specific Athenian commanders; however, it is difficult to talk about one „imperial” course in Athenian politics.

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