This time we look at Rome's dealings with the Hellenistic kingdoms of the eastern Mediterranean. Just why did the Romans choose to fight Philip V of Macedon so soon after the end of the immense struggle with Carthage.

The eastern Mediterranean was dominated by the dynasties that had emereged from the wreck of Alexander the Great's empire - chiefly the kingdoms of Macedonia, Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleuicd empire, but also smaller states such as Pergamum. The Ptolemies and Rome remained allies, but the Romans fought against Macedonia and Syria. In this talk we will trace the story of what happened and think a little about the causes and the impact of it all. Why were the Romans willing to send armies so far afield to wage war, but why were they so reluctant to create a permanent presence in the region?

Next time we will discuss the causes and nature of Roman imperialism in general, drawing on what we have seen of the Macedonian and Syrian Wars.

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