‘Jackal Bandwagoning’? The Achaean League Shifts Alliances from Macedon to Rome, Autumn 198 B.C

Abstract

How states choose allies is one of the most important theoretical and practical questions in international politics. A central debate in the study of international politics is the frequency of ‘balancing’ against a rising state vs. ‘bandwagoning’ with such a rising state. This was an issue in antiquity as in the modern world. The Achaean League was a sophisticated Greek federal state. Its decision in autumn 198 B.C. to suddenly change its long-standing alliance with Macedon for an alliance with Rome and its Greek allies—who were at war with Macedon—was a crucial moment in the history of the League. It resulted in increased safety from Roman attack, but also in increased autonomy, the return of lost League territory, and eventual Achaean expansion in southern Greece. Within the general question of the predominance of balancing vs. bandwagoning in ancient as well as modern international relations, this paper examines to what extent the decision of the League to abandon Macedon and side with Rome was an example of bandwagoning with a rising hegemon, and even an example of what International Relations theorists call ‘jackal’ bandwagoning. 6903 words.