 | ||
The League of Corinth, also referred to as the Hellenic League (from Greek Ἑλληνικός Hellenikos, "pertaining to Greece and Greeks"), was a federation of Greek states created by Philip II of Macedon during the winter of 338 BC/337 BC after the Battle of Chaeronea, to facilitate his use of military forces in his war against Persia. The name 'League of Corinth' was invented by modern historians due to the first council of the League being in Corinth. It was the first time in history that most of the Greek states (with the notable exception of Sparta) managed to become part of a single political entity.
Contents
Organization
The League was governed by the Hegemon (strategos autokrator in a military context), the Synedrion (council) and the Dikastai (judges). Decrees of the league were issued in Corinth, Athens, Delphi, Olympia and Pydna. The League maintained an army levied from member states in approximate proportion to their size, while Philip established garrisons (commanded by phrourarchs, or garrison commanders) in Corinth, Thebes, and Ambracia.
Treaty of the Common Peace
(A fragmentary inscription found in Athens)
The League during the Alexandrian campaigns
The decision for the Destruction of Thebes as transgressor of the above oath was taken by the council of the League of Corinth by a large majority. The League is mentioned by Arrian (I, 16, 7), after the Battle of Granicus (334 BC). Alexander sent 300 panoplies to the temple of Pallas Athena in Athens, with the following inscription.
During 331 BC after the Battle of Megalopolis, Sparta was forced to join the League of Corinth. During the Asiatic campaign, Antipater was appointed deputy hegemon of the League.
Aftermath
The League was dissolved after the Lamian War (322 BC). During 302 BC King Antigonus of Macedon and his son Demetrius Poliorcetes tried to revive the federation against Cassander. Antigonus III Doson (king of Macedon from 229 BC to 221 BC) also revived the League against Sparta during 224 BC.