In the 250s and 240s continental Greece found itself in a particularly complicated situation.
The growth of the Aetolian and Achaean Leagues, as well as Sparta’s awoken ambitions,
presented the Ptolemies with favorable conditions to actively pursue efforts to weaken the Macedonian
infl uence there. Initially, the partner of the Ptolemies became the Achaean League. In this
way, the Ptolemaic fl eet gained important footholds, including both Corinthian ports, Kenchreai
in the Saronic Gulf and Lechaion in the Corinthian Gulf. This strengthened the position of the
Lagids at sea, and it was the islands on the Aegean Sea and the coasts of Asia Minor that were in
the centre of the Ptolemies’ interest. However, the Aetolian League could continue to be seen as
one of their possible partners in Greek politics. We should not exaggerate the Achaean-Aetolian
confl ict. After the death of Antigonus Gonatas in 239, the two confl icted federations were joined
by an alliance. It cannot be excluded that Sparta also cooperated with the coalition, and the king
of Egypt could have been a convenient link in this cooperation. There is no information whatsoever
to suggest an Egyptian initiative to form the coalition. After the defeat of the Egyptian fl eet
at Andros in ca. 245, the position of the Lagids in the Aegean Sea was not as strong as it had once
been. This was all the more reason for Ptolemies to closely observe the Aetolians’ intense activity
on the Aegean Sea. The Ptolemies and Aetolians concluded symmachia. Ultimately, however, alliances
were reversed: Aratus pushed the Achaean League towards a coalition with Macedonia, but
earlier, having learned about the Achaean-Macedonian negotiations, Ptolemy decided to cancel
his fi nancial support for the Achaeans and hand it over to Sparta. It is very likely that the situation
in the whole Aegean region (especially the expedition of Antigonus Doson to Caria in 227) played
a role in changing the Ptolemies’ policy. The contacts which the Aetolian League established in
the region were all the more reason for Ptolemy III to choose Cleomenes and the Aetolians at the
expense of the Achaean League. At that time, the beginning of closer relations between the Aetolians
and the Attalids could also be observed. It cannot be ruled out that the Ptolemaic diplomacy
was a mediator, since up until then the Aetolians had no common interests with Pergamum. For
the Lagids, on the other hand, the Attalids were a force worth supporting against the Seleucids,
just as the Aetolians were a valuable partner in the rivalry against Macedonia
keywords in English:
Aetolian League, Achaean League, Sparta, Athens, the Ptolemies