TO THE PROBLEM ABOUT TIMOKRATЕS’ MISSION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/cusu-hist-2025-2-14Keywords:
Timocrat, Corinthian War, Athens, Sparta, PersiaAbstract
The article examines the mission of Timocrates of Rhodes, sent by Satrap Pharnabazus during the period usually dated by researchers to between 397 and 395 BC, to the cities of Hellas. The mission is often interpreted as one of the decisive factors in the outbreak of the Corinthian War of 395–387 BC. The main focus is on the nature and significance of the 50 talents of silver brought by Timocrates: the funds are often assessed as ‘subsidies for waging war against the Lacedaemonians’, but a more accurate interpretation, given the context of events, is to view them as diplomatic ‘gifts’ within the Eastern political tradition. Based on an analysis of ancient sources – primarily Xenophon, the ‘Oxyrhynchus Historian’ and Plutarch – and a wide range of historiography – from the classical German school of the 19th century to contemporary studies by E. Runga, R. Sieger and S. Gonblaver – significant variability in the interpretation of this issue has been demonstrated. Assessments of the impact of Timocrates’ mission were determined not only by the source base, but also by the worldview and methodological approaches of researchers. A quantitative analysis of the financial capabilities of ancient city-states shows that the sum of 50 talents was clearly too small to have any significant impact on the course of military operations in the conditions of warfare at that time, but could play a role as personal gifts capable of stimulating the political activity of individual politicians, although even this incentive is debatable due to the aggressive attitude of the Hellenes towards accepting Achaemenid gifts. The chronology of the mission, the hypothetical chronological connection with the restoration of the Long Walls of Athens, and the general attitude of the Hellenes towards accepting Achaemenid funds are also considered. In conclusion, Timocrates’ mission was more of a coordination effort and a demonstration of goodwill on the part of the Achaemenids than outright bribery, and its significance in the unfolding of the Corinthian War should be assessed as additional, clearly lacking in decisive importance. The study deepens our understanding of the mechanisms of Hellenic-Achaemenid diplomacy and the mutual influence of political and financial factors in international relations in antiquity.
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