A Study On The Foreign Policy Of The Kingdom Of Pergamon

As a power in Asia Minor during the Hellenistic era,the Kingdom of Pergamon ruled by the Attalids only existed for more than 150 years(282 B.C.-129 B.C.).However,its status and influence in the history of world culture and international relations cannot be underestimated.The reason why it survived and developed in the turbulent times largely can be attributed to the time-varying foreign policy that its rulers carried out.By sorting out the history of Pergamon from its independence to the end of being annexed by Rome,as well as the surrounding situation during the development of the Kingdom of Pergamon,the author analyses the relationship between the Kingdom of Pergamon and the surrounding countries,therefore concludes the foreign policy of the Attalids and its influence on the Kingdom of Pergamon and the whole Mediterranean world.The Kingdom of Pergamon has experienced six rulers.In view of the development of the Kingdom of Pergamon and the foreign policy adopted by its rulers,the author divides the foreign policy of the Attalus Dynasty into three stages: the early stage,the prosperous stage and the late stage.The early stage is the reign of Philetaerus and Eumenes I,the Kingdom of Pergamon had just become independent,but still attached to Seleucus.The two leaders of Pergamon adopted a broad-based and friendly foreign policy which actively dealing with relations with the surrounding countries,and gradually consolidated their foundations.Peak period is the reign of Attalus I and Eumenes II.During this time,Pergamon is independent totally,the two rulers' foreign policy is perpendicular and horizontal.They united small neighboring countries,established the Pergamon alliance,and a stable alliance with Rome.The Pergamon 's foreign policy is always moves with time which made Pergamon gradually become the hegemon of the Mediterranean region.Late period refers to the reign of Attalus II and Attalus III,they adopted a more conservative foreign policy.Under the circumstances of the overall decline of the Hellenistic world and the domination of the Mediterranean by theRoman Republic,the Kingdom of Pergamon inevitably declined and was eventually donated to Rome under the circumstance of no heir after the death of Attalus III,thus it became the Asiatic Province of Rome.To sum up,the Kingdom of Pergamon could stand out from many countries and city-states from the Eastern Mediterranean and developed into a powerful country which dominates a locality is profit from the wise foreign policy of its rulers of past dynasties.The study of Pergamon 's foreign policy will help to understand the historical process of this Hellenization power-Pergamon,and fill up the vacancies in the relevant studies during this turbulent period.It will also make us intuitively feel the magnificence of the war and the tricks of the stratagem at that time.Besides,the diplomatic thoughts contained there in are also have certain reference value to our country's policy today.