원수정기 로마 지배 하의 아테네 : 헤로데스 아티코스(Herodes Attikos)와 그의 가문

Abstract

The main object of Roman provincial policy was to facilitate the use of materials in provincial areas. Rome sought the way out by utilizing the major cities, or the leagues of the provinces, and naturally the administration was held by the elites of provincial areas. Especially in Greece, the job was given to the small number of oligarchic noble families. Greek noble families were engaged in an endless competition for honor and popularity among the mob. So it is plausible to say that evergetism-a Hellenistic character- and emperor cult are the outcomes of these acts. In fact the noble families intended to be close to the center - the emperor. Interestingly, the relationship appeared to be an effective way of administration from the emperor's sake, so the emperor took advantage of it. Since the relationship usually depended on private bands, such as marriage, teacher and student, etc., and the emperor was always the one who has control over it, emperor's personal taste-mainly the philhellenism shared among the emperors of principatus era- became a decisive factor in this relationship. In short, the cultural restoration of Greece and Orient around second century AD, is an inevitable result of emperors' philhellenism and competition of the nobles. Athens was in the center of such process. Athenian culture of the classical period actually forced the city to once again become the capital city of Achaean province. The noble families of Hellenistic period and the oligarchy kept its shape even though they were inserted to the Roman system. Though they were now Roman, the old forms were maintained with little variance. This is why Athens makes a good piece of example and also a general one of many provinces which experienced Rome's indirect control. The family of Herodes Attikos has a history that proves the importance of the relationship between the emperor and the family. Being the most famous Athenian family, they succeeded in getting close to the emperor. As early as the first century BC, they achieved strong positions such as archon eponymous and the priest of Apollo. From the first century AD, they occupied themselves in emperor cult and actually got close to the emperor families. They were economically wealthy as well. Hipparchos, grand father of Herodes Attikos, was famous as a rich man and even the emperor had known about it. Although the wealth he owned led him to his decline, his son, Herodes Attikos' father, made the reverse come true. He recovered the wealth and power, and aggressively worked out for the friendship with the emperor families. Notable act of this family can be speculated during the reign of Hadrian to Marcus Aurelius. This was the time of Attikos, and he waged great power among the Greeks. The history of this family also attests the fierce competition among the elites of provinces. Attikos family's heritage problem became a huge obstacle in gaining Athenian people's support, even though the family had a great influence over them. In the end their influence had been limited to Rome and other regions of Greece, since they lost their power over the competition with Claudian family of Melite. The rival family sued the Attikos, spread rumors about them, and finally spotted a good chance after Quintilius brothers' dispatch in the 170s. The Sirmium case resulted in Attikos family's downfall. Herodes Attikos migrated to Orikon, Epiros. The letter sent by Marcus shows the respect of a student toward once his teacher, and this action calmed the Athenians down at some point, however the power which once seemed endless, could never recover its glory. We should always be careful not to apply this case to other broader cases. That means, misunderstanding the case of Athenian oligarchic aspects as a general happening could be very dangerous. A good comparison could be made after a keen observation of western provinces. But unfortunately the shortage of sources limit us from it. Yet, the study of Herodes Attikos still means something. Combined with the sources of Eurikles of Sparta, and Herod of the Jews, we can witness the relationship between center and province, and moreover, the competition between the oligarchic families. There is no doubt that the strong band between regional elites and the emperor practically played a part in Rome's unification and pacification. The band was something very private. But also a very keen process of many elites' effort, and the scheme of the emperor. After all, the emperor as a patron, and a hard-worker was completed after a long time effort.