Rome and the Vassal Kings: About some Aspects of Interrelationship

Abstract

This article is devoted to the complicated relations between Rome and its client kingdoms from the II cent. BC up to the beginning of the II cent. AD. The author considers that the client kingdoms were not buffer states from the current viewpoint. In Strabo’s and other ancient authors’ consideration those kingdoms were the organic parts of the Roman Empire. Mutual relations between Rome and the client kings were created on the basis of traditional relationship of patronatus and clientela. The system of client kingdoms was formed during the rule of Augustus. The founder of Principate in the course of his internal and foreign policy leant on the vassal kings, many of whom during their youth lived, brought up and educated in Rome. The Roman henchmen who took their thrones in the neighboring states, as a rule, not for long kept the power in their hands: usually they were overthrown by the leaders of local elites. Those client kings, who ruled inside the frontiers of the Roman Empire, generally coped well with their responsibility: in peacetime they provided the rule of law in their kingdoms and in case of war supplied the Roman troops with everything necessary. Nevertheless, Augustus’ successors eliminated the most of client kingdoms, having replaced the principle of vassalage by the practice of direct control. That policy was being realized as part of a general trend towards strengthening of the imperial power. As a result by the beginning of the II cent. BC many client kings lost their thrones, and their kingdoms were turned into provinces of the Roman Empire.