The initiation of the Second Macedonian War : an explication of Livy Book 31

The testimony of Livy book 31, when supplemented by fragments of Polybius, reveals Roman intentions at a critical point in Greco-Roman history. Intertextual exegesis affirms the coherence of Livy’s narrative, while also illuminating his technique. Reconstruction of the chronological sequence of events shows that the differences between Polybian and Roman sources are not as great as generally maintained. Acceptance of the integrity of Livy’s text has profound implications for the question of Roman imperialism. With consummate calculation, the Romans prepared to declare war and mount an overseas invasion. The Straits of Otranto and a base were secured, a propaganda mission despatched, thus lessening the urgency for invasion itself. CONTENTS PREFACE CHAPTER I: MODERN INTERPRETATIONS: HISTORY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY CHAPTER II: DESIGN, STRUCTURE, AND CHRONOLOGY CHAPTER III: CHRONOLOGICAL RECONSTRUCTION SECTION I: From the Acarnanian profanation of the Eleusinian Mysteries to the Athenian declaration of war on Philip and the raids of Nicanor and Philocles (autumn 201 to summer 200) SECTION II: The embassy to Rome from Attalus and the Rhodians; the appointment and mission of C. Claudius Nero, P. Sempronius Tuditanus and M. Aemilius Lepidus (autumn 201 to April 200*) SECTION III: The consul’s return to Rome; the senate’s appointment of M. Valerius Laevinus with propraetorian imperium; coordination of diplomacy and military forces (November 201–March 200*) SECTION IV: Events in Rome from the consuls’ inauguration to departure for their provinces (L. 31.5.1–14.1); the anomaly of the late departure of the consular army for Macedonia (mid-January to late October*) SECTION V: Events in the eastern Mediterranean from late April 200 to the arrival of the consular army and the fall of Abydus (late October 200*) SECTION VI: The campaigns of autumnus 200 and consular 199; the remaining events of consular 200 CONCLUSION APPENDIX I: The interpretation of autumno ferme exacto (L. 31.22.4) APPENDIX II: Athenian appeals to the Romans APPENDIX III: The activities of M. Aurelius (Cotta) TABLE OF DATES SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEXES 1. General 2. Authors and passages Valerie M. Warrior. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [109]-111) And Indexes.