What was a Client King?

Why did Rome divide her Empire into provinces?

Roman Provinces Client Kingdoms

1. Label your map with the client kingdoms, then provinces (if time).2. What would you expect a client kingdom to look like?

Client KingsWhat did Rome gain?

What did the client kings gain?

The system of patron and client was well established in Rome. This system tied two people together in terms of helping each other when it was needed.

Patrons and Clients had obligations towards each other. Perhaps the most common form was the relationship between an ex-slave and their former master. The freed man or woman had certain duties to perform for the ex-master while he or she had some responsibilities towards the ex-slave. Many poorer Romans found this helpful, even to the point of getting food, hand-outs of money and jobs from their patrons.

The patrons used these clients for financial or political advantages, especially at election time. The system ran right through every level of society, so that even an important politician such as Mark Antony relied on others, such as Julius Caesar, who might advance his career or provide him with opportunities.

Client Kings were similar. They were clients of the Roman state rather than individuals, although as with Ptolemy XII and Pompey, that was not always obvious. They were also part of the frontier areas which made them important to Rome’s security. They were expected to keep their kingdom under control, peaceful and secure.

Rome’s obligation in this patron-client relationship was to support them in their kingdom – often that was keeping them in

power while the Romans did not interfere too much in local politics. For example, Ptolemy XII Auletes

gained a garrison of Roman soldiers.

In the Roman Empire, financial aid might be provided. In return client kings provided

resources when needed. This usually amounted to –

armed men, supplies, money,

strategic positions, local knowledge,

contacts.

Cicero, as governor of the province of Cilicia in 51-50 BC, dealt with client kings Deiotarus and Brogitarus when Parthia threatened the province, just as Mark Antony was to use client kings in his wars with the Parthians 20 years later. Deiotarus brought two legions to Cicero, and later sided with Pompey in the Civil War against Caesar.

These kings were often given the title of “Friends and Allies of the Roman People”. However, Rome considered these allies to be part of the Empire, and it was not unknown for the Romans to take over the kingdom because there was more benefit from direct rule. This had happened in Cyprus in 58 BC when Clodius annexed the island and removed Ptolemy XII Auletes’ brother from the throne.

For the Romans, the patron-client relationship had the benefit of having some control without having to use soldiers and resources to police the state, while they still could exercise some influence over especially foreign policy. For the king and his subjects, the main benefit was that Rome did not impose her rule, taxes, way of life or demands on the kingdom.

Client Kings in PlutarchPlutarch describes how the Kings of the East rushed to gain the patronage of Mark Antony when he first came to the east after the death of Julius Caesar:

Then he left behind Lucius Censorinus in charge of Greece. He went across to Asia and took possession of the wealth there. Kings waited at his door. The wives of kings competed with one another with their gifts and using their beauty, allowed themselves to be seduced by him.

Plutarch Antony 24

According to Plutarch Antony 37, when Mark Antony marched against the Parthians, Artavasdes, King of Armenia, provided six thousand cavalry and seven thousand infantry. And he was only one of many.

At the Battle of Actium Plutarch lists the Kings in support of Mark Antony:The subject kings who fought with him were Bocchus the king of Libya, Tarcondemus the King of Upper Cilicia, Archelaüs of Cappadocia, Philadelphus of Paphlagonia, Mithridates of Commagene, and Sadalas of Thrace. These kings were present. Armies were also sent by Polemon from Pontus, by Malchus from Arabia, by Herod the Jew (Judaea), and also by Amyntas the King of Lycaonia and Galatia; the King of the Medes also sent an auxiliary force.

Plutarch Antony 61

How many can you find on your map?

Why do you think Rome allowed client kings to have their own coins?

Give two examples of coins.

Laureate (laurel wreath) head of Emperor Antoninus Pius

nude Heracles

standing, resting arm on club, holding lion-skin

bare-headed bust of Emperor Antoninus Pius

Crowned bust of

goddess Isis

bare-headed bust of Emperor Antoninus Pius

Corinthian helmet

Laureate (with laurel wreath) head of Emperor Antoninus Pius

Apollo standing with

foot on omphalos (a religious stone), holding

a bow and arrow

Coin from CappadociaCoin from Macedonia

Coin from Judaea Coin from Alexandria, Egypt