The Aegean Islands in the Politics of the Attalid Dynasty
The Aegean Islands in the Politics of the Attalid Dynasty

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the contacts between the kings of Pergamon and the Greek states of the Aegean Islands. The problem should be considered both in the context of the Attalids’ situation in Asia Minor and their policy in the Aegean as well as in the broader context of their policy concerning Greek poleis. Philhellenism, euergetism, and cultural patronage became an important part of the dynasty’s propaganda, and in the case of the Aegean Islands Delos became the centre of such activities. An important aspect of the Attalids’ political activity was war, and their participation in conflicts in the Aegean world and continental Greece was very active. This activity had to awaken the Attalids’ interest in the Aegean Islands both for strategic reasons and as a place for recruiting mercenaries for their army and navy. Therefore, we cannot explain all the activities undertaken by the kings of Pergamon in the Aegean Sea only in terms of propaganda and building their image. Attalos I entered the stage of great politics, exceeding the local problems of Asia Minor. He managed to mark his presence in the Aegean and win bases on the islands which could work as footholds for further political activity in the Greek and Macedonian world

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