Antiochus III: A Friend and Ally of the Roman People

Abstract

Abstract By giving Antiochus III the status of a “friend and ally of the Roman people”, the Romans drew him into the framework of their diplomacy, thus making him liable for observing Roman diplomatic principles and practices. This follows from the Roman understanding that Roman friends were obliged to have the same friends and enemies as the Romans and, therefore, to refrain from attacking other Roman friends. The Romans applied this system in both the west and the east. It is erroneous, therefore, to say that the Roman approach to friendship changed once the Romans moved into the eastern Mediterranean, particularly in connection with the Illyrian wars, as some have argued. Nor is it viable to view Roman friends as Roman clients, because having a client required a commitment, whereas Rome had no obligations to her friends unless – for specific reasons, which are also examined in this article – she made treaties with them.