Rome and the Near Eastern Kingdoms and Principalities, 44-31 BC

Hendrikus A. M. van Wijlick, Ph.D. (2014), University of Durham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History and the Center for Classical and Medieval Studies at Peking University. His work focuses on Rome’s foreign relations in the eastern Mediterranean in the late Republic and the coinage of the kingdom Cappadocia.

• PrefaceList of FiguresA Note on the Maps, Texts and AbbreviationsIntroduction1 The Near East2 Structure3 Sources4 Client Kingspart 1: Prelude1 Pompey’s Reorganisation of the Near East, 66–63 BC1.1 The End of the Great Armenian Empire1.2 War in the Caucasus and the Relations with the Parthians1.3 Amisus and the Friendship with Antiochus of Commagene1.4 Amicitia and Societas1.5 The War against Darius the Mede and the Dissolution of the Seleucid Kingdom1.6 Pompey’s Dealings with the Emisenoi and his Reorganisation of the Princedom of Chalcis1.7 The Reorganisation of Judaeapart 2: 44–42 BC2 Parthia2.1 Parthian Support for Cassius2.2 The Embassy of Labienus and the Battle of Philippi3 Ptolemaic Kingdom3.1 Supporting Dolabella3.2 Recognition for Ptolemy XV Caesarion4 Judaea4.1 Judaean Support for the Caesarians in Syria4.2 The Imposition of Financial Contributions4.3 Herod’s Promotion4.4 Internal Conflicts and Cassius5 Princedom of Chalcis and the Emisenoi5.1 The Princedom of Chalcis and Caecilius Bassus5.2 Caecilius Bassus and Emisenian SupportSection 1: 42–31 BC6 Parthia6.1 The Parthian Invasion of Syria and Asia Minor6.2 Antony’s Parthian Campaign7 Ptolemaic Kingdom7.1 Antony and Cleopatra in Cilicia7.2 The Assassination of Arsinoe7.3 The Territorial Grants of 37/367.4 The “Donations of Alexandria” in 348 Judaea8.1 The Quest for Antony’s Favour8.2 Privileges Restored to Judaeans8.3 Herod and Phasael Made τετράρχαι of Judaea8.4 The Parthian Invasion and Herod’s Promotion to the Kingship8.5 Herod’s Return to Judaea, Roman Support and the Intervention at Samosata8.6 Antony between Cleopatra and Herod8.7 Actium and Herod in War with Malichus of Nabataea9 Princedom of Chalcis9.1 Antony in the East9.2 The Parthian Invasion, the Death of Ptolemy and the Ascension of Lysanias9.3 The Princedom of Chalcis Annexed by Cleopatra10 Nabataea10.1 Ventidius Bassus and Nabataea10.2 The Grant of Territory to Cleopatra10.3 Nabataean Support at Actium11 Armenia11.1 Armenia, the Caucasus and Antony’s Parthian Campaign11.2 The Armenian Campaigns of 34 and the Late 30s BC12 Media Atropatene12.1 The Parthian and Armenian Invasions12.2 Medes at Actium13 Commagene13.1 The Parthian Invasion13.2 The Defeat of the Parthians and the Siege of Samosata13.3 Commagenian Presence at ActiumSection 2: Types of Conduct14 Conduct of Near Eastern Rulers towards Rome14.1 Requests for Intervention in Internal Affairs14.2 Divided Rome: The Mobilisation of Rome’s Representatives in the East14.3 Requests for the Enlargement of Territories14.4 The Conclusion of an Alliance with Rome against a Third Party14.5 Involvement in a Foreign War14.6 Involvement in a Civil War15 Rome’s Conduct towards Near Eastern Kingdoms and Principalities15.1 At War with a Near Eastern Kingdom15.2 The Conclusion of Alliances for the Conduct of a War against a Third Party15.3 The Arrangement of Dynastic Intermarriage15.4 Demands for Financial and Military Contributions15.5 Rome Calling Near Eastern Kings and Princes to Account15.6 Nomination and Removal of Near Eastern Rulers15.7 Territorial RearrangementsEpilogueAppendicesList of Editions UsedBibliographyIndex

"Overall, the historical reconstruction of the relations between Rome and the Near East is the highlight of this work, which represents a welcome addition to the studies on the Roman Republic and the late Hellenistic period." Omar Coloru, The Classical Review 71.2 489–491.''This volume deserves celebration. Van Wijlick has filled a scholarly gap left by Millar. His research of ancient and modern sources is routinely meticulous. He makes his results easily and meaningfully available through specific regional case studies and a synthetic analysis. The writing is polished, clear, and enjoyable. And he offers a balanced assessment of nearly every problem. Above all, the honesty of analysis rings true. While Roman civil war shaped the Near East in 44-31 less distinctively than the reader may expect, van Wijlick effectively reveals the powerful impact of Roman-Parthian confrontation. This conclusion encourages one to seek further reading. Van Wijlick has enriched the field of Classical history.'' Jason M. Schlude, BMCR 2022.04.29