Koinon of Free Laconians
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The Koinon (or "league") of Free Laconians was established in 21 BC by the Emperor Augustus,[1] giving formal structure to a group of cities that had existed for almost two centuries.
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[edit] History
The Eleutherolakones (Ἐλευθερολάκωνες, free Laconians) first appeared in history in 195 BC, after Sparta's defeat in the Roman-Spartan War. The Roman general Titus Quinctius Flaminius placed the coastal cities of the Mani Peninsula under the protection of the Achean League. The most important of its cities was Gythium. A few years later, in 192 BC, Gythium was recaptured by Nabis of Sparta, but the Achean League liberated the city. The city of Las was attacked and captured by the Spartans. The Achean League retaliated and freed Las and captured Sparta.
[edit] Constitution
The highest officer in the Union was the general who was assisted by the treasurer. At its height the Union consisted of 24 cities; however, the number decreased to 18.[2] Coins and inscriptions of the member states show that the Union existed into the second half of the 3rd century AD. It around until 297 AD when the Emperor Diocletian reformed the provincial administration.
[edit] Member cities
According to Pausanias, the members of the koinon were:[3]
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[edit] Notes
- ^ Greenhalgh and Eliopoulos. Deep into Mani:Journey to the southern tip of Greece., 21
- ^ Pausanias 3.21.7
- ^ Pausanias 3.21.7
[edit] References
[edit] Primary Sources
- Pausanias, translated by W.H.S Jones, (1918). Pausanias Description of Greece. London: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-14-044362-2.
[edit] Secondary Sources
- Peter Greenhalgh and Edward Eliopoulos, (1985). Deep into Mani:Journey to the southern tip of Greece. London: Trinity Press ISBN 0-571-13524-2
- "Eleutherolakones". The New Pauly 4: 918. Brill.
