Achaean League

League of the Achaeans
Κοινὸν τῶν Ἀχαιῶν
Koinon ton Achaion
280 BC–146 BC
Achaean coin probably depicting a symbol of the league. of Achaean League
Achaean coin probably depicting a symbol of the league.
Achaean League in 192 BC
Achaean League in 192 BC
CapitalAigion (meeting place)
Common languagesAchaean Doric Koine, Koine Greek
Religion
Ancient Greek religion
GovernmentRepublican Confederacy
Strategos 
LegislatureAchaean assembly
Historical eraClassical Antiquity
• Re-founded
280 BC
• Conquered by the Roman Republic in the Achaean War
146 BC
CurrencyDrachma
Preceded by
Succeeded by
League of Corinth
Arcadian League
Achaea (Roman province)
Today part ofGreece
silver tetrobol issued under Achaean League
Silver tetrobol issued under the Achaean League c. 175–168 BC. Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right; Reverse: AX monogram, lyre above, ΔΩ – PO in left and right fields; Size: 15mm, 2.27 g; Reference: BCD Peloponnesos 27.1; McClean 6431-2; Benner 4; HN 225 var.; Sear 2971 var.

The Achaean League (Ancient Greek: Κοινὸν τῶν Ἀχαιῶν, romanizedKoinon ton Akhaion, lit.'League of Achaeans') was a Hellenistic-era confederation of Greek city-states on the northern and central Peloponnese. The league was named after the region of Achaea in the northwestern Peloponnese, which formed its original core. The first league was formed in the fifth century BC. The second Achaean League was established in 280 BC. As a rival of Antigonid Macedon and an ally of the Roman Republic, the league played a major role in the expansion of Rome into Greece. This process eventually led to the League's conquest and dissolution by the Romans in 146 BC.

The League represents the most successful attempt by the Greek city-states to develop a form of federalism, which balanced the need for collective action with the desire for local autonomy. Through the writings of the Achaean statesman Polybius, this structure has had an influence on the constitution of the United States and other modern federal states.[1]

  1. ^ Walbank, Frank W. “Polybius and the Roman State.” Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies 5 (1964): 239–60.