The End of “Hellenistic” Athens

Abstract With Athens crippled after the Sullan sack, the city suffered greatly afterward and was without the financial means to repair buildings damaged or destroyed by Sulla’s men. Then a series of prominent Romans visited, donating money, which ironically helped to rebuild some things destroyed by the previous Romans. The first was Pompey the Great, who might have helped fund the Tower of the Winds; then Caesar, who gave money for the start of the Roman Agora. But then the Roman Civil War broke out. Athens was not part of it, although after Caesar’s assassination Brutus did spend time in Athens. After Brutus’ and Cassius’ defeats in Greece, the victor, Mark Antony, moved to Athens where the people showered honors on him to earn his favor. He spent time with Cleopatra in Egypt, but made Athens his home. Increasing tension with Octavian, especially over his relationship with Cleopatra, led to the showdown at the battle of Actium and their defeat; the following year Octavian conquered Egypt. Athens thus became subject to another Roman master: Octavian, the future Augustus, at which point the Hellenistic period is commonly seen as ending.