Greece in the Roman era
In 146 BC, Roman legions marched into the city of Corinth and destroyed it. The Battle of Corinth marked the end of Greek independence for mainland territories. Before this moment, Rome had been slowly gaining control through a series of conflicts known as the Macedonian Wars. The Fourth Macedonian War concluded at Pydna in 148 BC when forces defeated Andriscus, a pretender to the Macedonian throne. This defeat paved the way for total Roman occupation of the region.
After the destruction of Corinth, Athens and other city-states revolted against Roman authority in 88 BC. General Lucius Cornelius Sulla led the suppression of these uprisings with brutal force. Greece suffered physical and economic devastation during the civil wars that followed. Augustus later reorganized the peninsula as the province of Achaea in 27 BC. While southern Greece came under direct Roman hegemony, some key poleis retained partial autonomy and avoided heavy taxation.
Roman culture absorbed deep influences from its Greek subjects despite military dominance. Horace famously wrote that captive Greece captured her rude conqueror. Elite Romans like Scipio Africanus studied philosophy and regarded Greek science as an example to follow. The epics of Homer inspired Virgil's Aeneid while authors such as Seneca the Younger adopted Greek literary styles.
Emperor Nero visited Greece in 66 AD and competed at the Ancient Olympic Games. He ignored rules prohibiting non-Greek participation yet won every contest he entered. In the following year, he proclaimed freedom for Greeks at the Isthmian Games held in Corinth. This gesture mirrored actions taken by Flamininus over two centuries earlier. Many nobles embraced Greek literature even if others viewed Greeks as backward or petty.
Emperor Hadrian served as eponymous archon of Athens before ascending to imperial power. He saw himself as a successor to Pericles and invested heavily in Athenian infrastructure. Construction began on the Library of Hadrian within the city limits. He also completed the Temple of Olympian Zeus after work had stalled for 638 years due to fears of hubris.
Athens erected the Arch of Hadrian to honor their benefactor. One side bore an inscription declaring it the ancient city of Theseus while the other declared it the city of Hadrian. Adrianou Street still leads from this monument toward the Ancient Agora today. Julius Caesar initiated building projects like the Roman Agora which Augustus finished. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa constructed the Agrippeia in the center of that same agora.
Early Christianity took root across Greece during the Roman Empire period. The apostle Paul preached in cities including Philippi, Corinth, and Athens. Thessalonica became one of the most highly Christianized areas throughout the entire empire. Greek language served as a lingua franca in eastern provinces and Italy itself.
Intellectuals such as Galen performed their scholarly work within Rome using Greek traditions. The spread of faith integrated deeply into provincial life over several centuries. By the time of Constantine, Christianity had become a dominant force shaping social structures. This religious transformation occurred alongside continued urban prosperity rather than replacing it immediately.
During the late third century under Diocletian, administrative boundaries shifted dramatically across Greece. Moesia was organized as a diocese ruled by Galerius at that specific time. Under Constantine, Greece formed part of prefectures known as Macedonia and Thrace. Theodosius later divided the Macedonian prefecture into smaller provinces named Creta, Achaea, Thessalia, Epirus Vetus, Epirus Nova, and Macedonia.
The Aegean islands constituted the province called Insulae within the larger Diocese of Asia. These changes reflected efforts to streamline governance during periods of crisis. Administrative reorganization aimed to strengthen imperial control while adapting to new realities facing the state. Such restructuring laid groundwork for future Byzantine administrative systems.
Visigothic forces invaded Greece during the late fourth century when Stilicho evacuated Thessaly. Arcadius' chief advisor Eutropius allowed Alaric to enter Greek territories freely. He subsequently looted Athens, Corinth, and the Peloponnese region without immediate resistance. Stilicho eventually drove him out around 397 AD before Alaric became magister militum in Illyricum.
Alaric and his Goths migrated toward Italy where they sacked Rome in 410 AD. They established a Visigothic Kingdom in Iberia that lasted until 711 following Arab conquests. Despite these invasions, archaeological evidence shows cities remained prosperous until at least the sixth century. Scenarios suggesting barbarian destruction or civic decay do not fit current findings from surveys across the Aegean.
Common questions
When did Roman legions destroy Corinth and end Greek independence?
Roman legions destroyed the city of Corinth in 146 BC, marking the end of Greek independence for mainland territories. This event concluded a series of conflicts known as the Macedonian Wars that had seen Rome slowly gaining control.
What administrative changes occurred to Greece under Augustus and Diocletian?
Augustus reorganized the peninsula as the province of Achaea in 27 BC while later reforms under Diocletian shifted boundaries during the late third century. Theodosius subsequently divided the Macedonian prefecture into smaller provinces named Creta, Achaea, Thessalia, Epirus Vetus, Epirus Nova, and Macedonia.
How did Emperor Nero participate in the Ancient Olympic Games in 66 AD?
Emperor Nero visited Greece in 66 AD and competed at the Ancient Olympic Games despite rules prohibiting non-Greek participation. He won every contest he entered before proclaiming freedom for Greeks at the Isthmian Games held in Corinth the following year.
Which cities became centers of early Christianity within the Roman Empire period?
The apostle Paul preached in cities including Philippi, Corinth, and Athens where Thessalonica became one of the most highly Christianized areas throughout the entire empire. Greek language served as a lingua franca in eastern provinces and Italy itself during this religious transformation.
When did Alaric and his Goths sack Rome after invading Greece?
Alaric and his Goths migrated toward Italy where they sacked Rome in 410 AD after entering Greek territories freely with the permission of Eutropius. They looted Athens, Corinth, and the Peloponnese region without immediate resistance before Stilicho drove them out around 397 AD.