146: Roman Invasion of Greece | 146: Mummius Achaicus sacks Corinth and dissolves the Achaean League | 146: Rome takes control of Greece - Scroll Down for more details

"The Fall of Greece: Rome's Conquest in 146 BCE"

The Roman Invasion of Greece (146 BCE)

By the mid-2nd century BCE, Rome had already established itself as the dominant power in the Mediterranean, having defeated Carthage in the Punic Wars and expanded its influence eastward. Greece, once the cradle of classical civilization, was now a fractured land of competing city-states and leagues, weakened by internal strife and unable to resist Roman ambition.

Background: Rome's Growing Influence

Rome had been involved in Greek affairs for decades prior to 146 BCE. After defeating Macedon in the Battle of Pydna (168 BCE), Rome dismantled the Antigonid monarchy and divided Macedon into four republics. However, Greek resistance persisted, particularly in the Achaean League, a confederation of city-states that sought to maintain independence.

The Achaean War (146 BCE)

Tensions escalated when the Achaean League, led by Critolaus and Diaeus, defied Rome by attacking cities allied with the Republic. Rome, under the command of Lucius Mummius, responded with overwhelming force.

• Battle of Corinth (146 BCE): The decisive confrontation occurred near Corinth, a key Achaean stronghold. The Roman legions crushed the Greek forces, slaughtering or enslaving much of the population.
  
• Destruction of Corinth: To make an example of defiance, Mummius ordered Corinth razed to the ground. Its men were killed, women and children enslaved, and its priceless art looted and shipped to Rome. The city remained largely abandoned for a century.

Aftermath: Greece Under Roman Rule

With Corinth's destruction, the Achaean League was dissolved, and Greece was fully incorporated into the Roman Republic as the province of Achaia. Though some cities (like Athens and Sparta) retained nominal autonomy, they were now firmly under Roman control.

• Cultural Impact: While Greece lost its political independence, its culture profoundly influenced Rome. Greek art, philosophy, and literature were highly prized, leading to the phenomenon of "Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit" ("Captive Greece took captive her savage conqueror").
  
• Economic Shift: Greece became an integral part of the Roman economy, though many cities declined in importance as Rome redirected trade routes.

Conclusion

The Roman invasion of 146 BCE marked the end of Greece as an independent political entity, but it also began a new era of Greco-Roman cultural fusion that would shape the Mediterranean world for centuries.

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