Macedonian-Carthaginian Treaty

The Macedonian-Carthaginian Treaty was an anti-Roman agreement between Philip V of Macedon and Hannibal, the Carthaginian leader, which was drawn up after the battle of Cannae when Hannibal seemed poised to conquer Rome. Philip V, who feared Roman expansion, wanted to ride on the coat tails of the victor.

Hannibal

Having left Spain for Italy to wage war against Rome, thus causing the Second Punic War, Hannibal won victory after victory in extraordinary battles against the legions of the burgeoning Italian power. He perpetuated the war in Spain with the help of his brothers as well as other Carthaginian commanders, and this forced the Romans to use up resources and men in the Iberian peninsula, averting resources away from the war in Italy.The alliance with Philip V was an attempt to open another front in the east where the Romans had relatively little material and manpower.

Philip V

The Macedonian king saw Roman power spreading on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea. Rome had subjugated the Illyrians ruled by Queen Teuta under the pretext that the Illyrian tribes were involved in piracy on the Dalmatian and Albanian coasts against Italian merchants. By this time the eastern coast was under the control or protection of Rome. Many Greek cities and islands on the coast (like Apollonia and Corfu) were helped by Rome, which supported the territorial and political claim of the Aetolian League in its fight against Macedonia and the rest of Greece. Philip, in turn, was being pushed east by the Seleucid kings of Syria and Attalus I of Pergamon and sought a powerful ally to halt Rome in its expansion towards the Balkans and reduce the danger on his western border. It seemed to him that Hannibal was that ally.

The diplomatic mission

Livy, the Roman historian of the 1st century, in "Ab Urbe condita" ("From the Founding of the City") narrates how Philip, having seen Hannibal's victories, sent a delegation to Italy to secure the alliance. It was the summer of 215 BC. The Greek ambassadors, avoiding Brindisi and Taranto, the most logical ports of entry from Greece, disembarked near Capo Colonna in Calabria, by the famous temple of Juno Lacinia. From there they tried to get to Capua where Hannibal had put his headquarters. Discovered by the Roman guard, the delegation was sent to the Praetor M. Valerius Laevinus. Senofane, the Athenian leader of the expedition, dramatically declared that the delegation had been sent by King Philip to secure an agreement of "amicitia societatemque" (friendship and alliance) with the Roman people. The Praetor therefore welcomed the delegation as guests and sent them to Rome with an escort, explaining the itinerary and indicating where the Carthaginians were camped. The Macedonian delegation thus reached Hannibal's camp without any problems and the treaty was drawn up.

The capture

Once the treaty was completed, the delegation began the return journey to Macedonia to get Philip's signature. Senofane was accompanied by the Carthaginians Magone, Gisgone and Bostar. They reached the ship which was still waiting for them at the temple of Juno Lacinia and pushed off, However, they were intercepted and captured by Roman warships led by Valerius Flaccus. Senofane tried to fob the Romans off again by telling them that the delegation was friendly. However, the Romans recognised the Punic look and garb of the passengers and investigated further. They discovered the truth and the copies of the treaty. The delegation was sent to Rome on five fast ships and the prisoners were held far apart from each other to stop them plotting escape. While the ships were going up the Tyrrhenian coast towards Rome they were in turn intercepted by other Roman ships. Once the situation was clarified the prisoners were taken to Cumae which was being besieged by the consul Tiberius Sempronius Graccus. After another interrogation, the prisoners were transferred to Rome to face the Senate.

The Senate put the most important prisoners behind bars and sold their companions as slaves. Twenty five extra ships were armed and added to the twenty five under the command of Publius Valerius Flaccus which had conveyed the prisoners to Rome. The fleet was sent to protect the coast of Puglia and reconnoitre on the eastern coast of the Adriatic to watch Philip's movements. Livy states that the fleet and the Macedonian war were paid for with money that was sent to Appius Claudius because he gave it to Gerone the tyrant of Syracuse.

However, one of the five ships containing the prisoners was able to escape from the Romans and return to Macedonia, although it was not able to give Philip exact news of the terms of the agreement taken by the first delegation. The Macedonian king had to send another one which was able to execute the mission with success. According to Livythe names of the ambassadors were Heraclitus AKA Scotinus, Critone Beotus and Magne Sosisteus. The treaty was thus ratified but since the summer had passed in the intervening period Philip and Hannibal were not able to initiate operations. Rome was also advised on the agreement. Philip V was not able to worry Rome throughout the Second Punic War.

ee also

*Rome
*Carthage
*Second Punic War