v21_2016 - ROMAN REPUBLIC - ANONYMOUS Quadrans anonyme frappé, (PB, Æ 18)

ROMAN REPUBLIC - ANONYMOUS

(169-157 BC)

This period is marked by the Third Macedonian War (171-168 BC) which ends with the great victory of Pydna (168 BC) and the defeat of Perseus who loses his throne and the freedom. Paul Émile, its conqueror, sells 150,000 Greeks as slaves. The Tribute is abolished, the Romans are exempt from taxes. Macedonia is divided into four republics and Illyria into three protectorates. The Epirotes are enslaved, the Achaeans deported to Italy. Polybius finds himself in Rome. The Republic is also opposed to Antiochus IV of Syria (175-164 BC). In 164 BC, the Urbs had 337,452 citizens. In 161 BC, the Greek philosophers and rhetoricians were expelled from Rome. The end of this period is marked by the death of Terence (159 BC) and the birth of Marius (155 BC).