Methods of Control

Question 1

Old Oligarch

Answer 1

The Old Oligarch is an unnamed source that writes on Athenian imperialism and the control of the empire. Although he was instantly critical of the empire and clearly favored oligarchs, he provides much useful information to our understating of the Athenian Empire.

Question 2

Hellespontophylake

Answer 2

Hellespontophylakes were Athenian economic officers that were stationed in the Black sea and Hellespont. They could restrict allies from entering the Black Sea or force them to pay, but they could also reward allies by allowing them to pass freely. All of the Athenian allies relied heavily on trade and grain imports from the Black Sea, so Hellespontophylakes were extremely significant in controlling the Athenian allies.

Question 3

Methone

Answer 3

An Athenian ally that was granted free access to the Black Sea and told to register with the Hellespontophylakes during the Archidamian War.

Question 4

Erythrae Decree

Answer 4

A decree which was passed in c.453/2 which outlined the terms of punishment for the state of Erythrae which had revolted and been subdued by the Athenians. A Phrourarch and episcopos was sent to the city to oversee the establishment of a Boule, and the Erythraens were made to swear oaths to Athens and her allies not to rebel, which may suggest that the Delian League idea still existed at the time.

Question 5

Aristophanes’ Wasps

Answer 5

A play by Aristophanes, which provides us evidence of military garrisons when one of the characters mentions having to perform guard duty at Byzantium and Cyzicus.

Question 6

Aristophanes’ Birds

Answer 6

A play by Aristophanes which provides us evidence of episcopos and their role in overseeing democracy in allied territory, when a character mentions they have to give voting urns to the episcopos. It also mentions how episcopos communicated with proxenoi.

Question 7

Samos

Answer 7

One of the Athenian allies who revolted in 440 and killed the garrison that was already stationed there previously.

Question 8

Naxos

Answer 8

An allied Athenian state which revolts in c.471 and is subdued, having its walls torn down and accepting a military garrison. Pericles also sent 500 cleruchoi to Naxos in c.447 BC.

Question 9

Miletus

Answer 9

An Athenian allied state that accepted a garrison upon its revolt and defeat in the 450s.

Question 10

Peace of Callias

Answer 10

A peace that was signed between Athens and Persia in 449 BC, which ended the tension between the two states. This ended the justification of the Delian League, which revealed Athens true imperial control over her allies.

Question 11

Cleruchies

Answer 11

Athenians who were sent from Athens to inhabit allied territory that had been confiscated from allies due to suspicion of after they revolted. They assisted in spreading Athenian culture and kept a check on the political developments of Athenian allies.

Question 12

Brea

Answer 12

A colony which was founded by Athenian colonists in Thrace in c.445. Its purpose was partly to keep a check on the Thracians, deterring them from revolting and warning Athens if they did.

Question 13

Phrourarchs

Answer 13

Athenian garrison commanders who maintained the garrisons but also held political roles such as overseeing the implementation pro-Athenian councils, which is what happened at Erythrae in c.453/2.

Question 14

Archontes

Answer 14

Athenian magistrates who were appointed to allies and held a similar role to Phrourarchs. It is possible that they replaced Phrourarchs after 449.

Question 15

proxenoi

Answer 15

Athenian ‘guest friends’ who were allied Citizens within the Athenian empire. They would be honored in special decrees, such as the decree honoring Oeniades, and kept a check on allied developments, warning Athens if any sign of rebellion occurred. Proxenoi alerted the Athenian to the revolt of Mytilene in 428 BC.

Question 16

episcopos

Answer 16

Athenian magistrates who were ‘overseers’, assisting Phrourarchs in establishing democracies and most likely being sent out to investigate specific issues or suspicions among the allies.

Question 17

Oeniades

Answer 17

An individual who became a proxenoi after the Athenians passed a decree honoring him.

Question 18

Acheloion

Answer 18

An individual who was a proxenoi and because of that received special protection in the form of an Athenian decree which announced that if anyone murdered him they would be tried in Athens and forced to pay 5 talents. His special case illustrates how Athens protected her loyalists in the empire through the judiciary.

Question 19

Chalcis Decree

Answer 19

A decree passed probably in 446 which outlined punished Chalcis from revolting. Besides harsh oaths, Chalcidians could be charged with treason if they didn’t report someone conspiring against Athens. All cases concerning death, exile and loss of citizenship also had a right to be appealed to the Heliaea and later on were forced to be heard in Athens.

Question 20

Cleinias Decree

Answer 20

A decree which outlined strict procedure in the payment of allied phoros, that the collections must be sealed when the leave so that the Athenians would know if any money had been taken on the voyage and if the allies had payed what they were required.

Question 21

Coinage Decree

Answer 21

A decree which introduced standardized weights, measurements and coinage, being the Attic obel, into the Athenian empire.

Question 22

Colophon Decree

Answer 22

A decree which imposed sanctions of Colophon after it revolted from Athens. Colophon was required to surrender some of its land to Athenian cleruchies or colonists and increase its tribute to 1.5 talents. The decree is much harsher than the Erythrae decree, and makes the people of Colophon pledge allegiance to Athens not the Delian League.