Treaty Of Phoenice

The Treaty of Phoenice, concluded in 205 BC at the Epirote city of Phoenice, marked the formal end of the First Macedonian War between the Roman Republic and the kingdom of Macedon under Philip V. Emerging during the wider geopolitical turbulence caused by the Second Punic War, the agreement re-shaped alliances and territorial arrangements in the Balkans and western Greece. The settlement reflected the exhaustion of both principal belligerents as well as the shifting balance of power across the Hellenistic world.

Background to the Conflict

The First Macedonian War unfolded against the backdrop of Rome’s struggle with Carthage. As Hannibal established himself in Italy, Philip V sought to exploit Rome’s preoccupation by extending Macedonian influence across the Adriatic. Macedon’s traditional rivalry with the Aetolian League and other Greek states created a region already prone to instability, and Philip’s ambitions further unsettled the existing political equilibrium.
Rome, anxious to prevent Macedonian involvement in the Second Punic War, attempted to restrict Philip’s expansion towards the western Balkans. The Roman Republic also relied on alliances with Greek states, especially those hostile to Macedon, to counterbalance Philip’s initiatives. The resulting conflict was therefore shaped by a complex interplay of local Greek rivalries, Roman strategic calculations, and Macedon’s own aspirations.

Course of the War

Philip’s early efforts focused on Illyria, where he hoped to gain a strategic foothold. Between 214 and 212 BC he launched two unsuccessful naval expeditions, hindered by Roman surveillance and the difficulties of operating far from Macedonian territory. His progress by land was also initially slow, but a more sustained campaign eventually brought success, culminating in the capture of the port of Lissus. This victory forced the capitulation of the surrounding region and temporarily boosted Macedonian authority in Illyria.
Rome responded by activating and strengthening its diplomatic and military ties with the Aetolian League. This alliance opened a new front for Philip, as the Aetolians and Romans coordinated a series of campaigns that, while limited in scale, inflicted minor tactical defeats on Macedon and persuaded additional Greek communities to align themselves with Rome. The war therefore evolved into a broader struggle for influence over the Greek world.
When Roman forces were withdrawn from direct involvement—largely due to pressures stemming from the ongoing Punic conflict—Philip regained the initiative. Macedonian armies advanced decisively against Aetolian positions, reversing earlier setbacks and restoring much of Philip’s territorial standing. By this stage both coalitions had little appetite for continuing a war that had produced no decisive outcome, and peace negotiations became increasingly attractive.

Terms and Significance of the Treaty

The Treaty of Phoenice acknowledged Macedon’s recovery and effectively preserved Philip’s position in the region. Although Roman and Aetolian hopes of decisively curbing Macedonian expansion were not realised, the treaty secured several territories for Rome, including Parthinia, Dimallum, Bargulum, and Eugenium. Macedon, subject to the approval of the Roman Senate, was permitted control over Atintania. These territorial clauses reflected a compromise: Rome obtained strategic footholds on the Adriatic coast while Macedon retained authority over key inland districts.
One of the more consequential outcomes was Philip’s tacit abandonment of any practical alliance with Hannibal. By agreeing to the terms, Philip distanced himself from Carthaginian interests and removed the possibility of Macedonian intervention in Italy, a scenario that Rome had feared since the early years of the war.
The treaty also listed a wide range of participating states. Supporting Philip were Prusias of Bithynia, the Achaeans, Boeotians, Thessalians, Acarnanians, and Epirots—reflecting Macedon’s established sphere of influence in mainland Greece. On the side of Rome stood the Ilians, Attalus of Pergamon, Pleuratus of the Illyrians, Nabis of Sparta, as well as the Eleans, Messenians, and Athenians, signalling the growing appeal of Roman intervention among states suspicious of Macedonian hegemony. The inclusion of so many regional actors underscores the treaty’s role in shaping the diplomatic landscape of the Greek world.

Implications for the Greek World and Rome

The Treaty of Phoenice created a temporary balance, but it did not resolve the underlying tensions that had prompted the conflict. Macedon emerged relatively unscathed and even strengthened in some respects, emboldening Philip to pursue further ambitions in the Aegean and Asia Minor. These actions ultimately brought him back into conflict with Rome, contributing to the outbreak of the Second Macedonian War in 200 BC.
For Rome, the treaty represented a strategic pause rather than a comprehensive settlement. While it limited Philip’s access to the Adriatic and reduced the likelihood of Macedonian collaboration with Carthage, it did not eliminate the threat posed by Macedon’s expansion. Nevertheless, the Roman Republic had secured a network of alliances in Greece that would prove critical in future conflicts.
The agreement also affected the internal politics of Greek states. The Aetolian League, dissatisfied with the outcome, increasingly viewed Rome both as a potential ally and as a counterweight to Macedonian dominance. Meanwhile, the Achaean League and other pro-Macedonian states continued to navigate the delicate balance between autonomy and reliance on Philip.