The Achaean League was a Hellenistic-era confederation of Greek city states on the northern and central Peloponnese. The league was named after the region of Achaea in the northwestern Peloponnese, which formed its original core.
The first league was formed in the fifth century BC. The second Achaean League was established in 280 BC. As a rival of Antigonid Macedon and an ally of Rome, the league played a major role in the expansion of the Roman Republic into Greece. This process eventually led to the League's conquest and dissolution by the Romans in 146 BC.
The League represents the most successful attempt by the Greek city states to develop a form of federalism, which balanced the need for collective action with the desire for local autonomy. Through the writings of the Achaean statesman Polybius, this structure has had an influence on the constitution of the United States and other modern federal states.
The first league was formed in the fifth century BC. The second Achaean League was established in 280 BC. As a rival of Antigonid Macedon and an ally of Rome, the league played a major role in the expansion of the Roman Republic into Greece. This process eventually led to the League's conquest and dissolution by the Romans in 146 BC.
The League represents the most successful attempt by the Greek city states to develop a form of federalism, which balanced the need for collective action with the desire for local autonomy. Through the writings of the Achaean statesman Polybius, this structure has had an influence on the constitution of the United States and other modern federal states.
(1)
Achaean League
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An
AR
Hemidrachm
struck c. 86 BC
in
Dyme
Obverse: head of laureate Zeus right
Reverse: fish under (AX) monogram all within wreath; (APT) left / ΔY up
Diameter:
15.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.2 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.2 g
ex Forum Ancient Coins
Clerk 55; BCD Peloponnesos 482
(2)
Achaean League
An
AR
Hemidrachm
struck 160-146 BC
in
Megalopolis
Obverse: laureate head of Zeus right
Reverse: (AX) monogram, thunderbolt below, all within wreath; ΞB / K_A / M
Diameter:
15.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.4 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.4 g
No notes for this coin
Benner 17; BCD Peloponnesos 1551.1; HGC 5, 953
(3)
Achaean League
An
AR
Hemidrachm
struck c. 188-180 BC
in
Mantineia
Obverse: laureate head of Zeus right
Reverse: (AX) monogram within wreath; A_N / CΩ
Diameter:
17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.4 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.4 g
Mantinea as Antigoneia
Benner 5; BCD Peloponnesos 1492.2; HGC 5, 926
(4)
Achaean League
An
AR
Hemidrachm
struck c. 175-168 BC
in
Megara
Obverse: laureate head of Zeus Amarios right
Reverse: lyre above (AX) monogram, all within wreath; ΔΩ_PO
Diameter:
14.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.3 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.3 g
No notes for this coin
BCD Peloponessos 27.1; McClean 6431-2, Benner S. 78, 4; HGC 4, 1805
(5)
Achaean League
An
AR
Hemidrachm
struck 100-80 BC
in
Pallantion
Obverse: laureate head of Zeus right
Reverse: (AX) monogram, trident below, all within wreath; A / Π_Λ / (YE)
Diameter:
14 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2 g
No notes for this coin
BCD Peloponnesos 1593.2; Benner 4; HGC 5, 969