New evidence of historical importance of Imbros (AAR)

[zorro]

New evidence of historical importance of Imbros (400BC to 367BC)

By Dr. Zorro
Department of History and Anthropology
University of Washington

Previous histories of the early Hellenic period have generally considered the city state of Imbros as a relatively unimportant outpost of the Delian League. This was due to the lack of significant architechtual structures and its relative absence of important period strategic documents.

The recently uncovered and translated "guidebook of Athenian political speeches" (Translation from the original Greek text by Dr. Phillipe Carre, and published last year in three scholarly journals), however, show that this opinion is no longer accurate. In fact, Imbros was an important trading partner between Athens and her Ionian allies along the coast of Asia minor. In addition, my field work examining the preseved bones of the Imbronian inhabitants from this era also stengthen the conclusion that it was, in fact, an important point trading and strategic port whose loss to the advancing Persian empire was regarded as a major set back by the Athenians, and a coup by the Persians.

In 400BC, evidence really does show that it was a small and minor port city. The skeletons of its inhabitants show they lived a similar life to the other Ionian colonies. Dr. Carre's translated documents show is that an important general named Amaximader was voted to lead the island nation and given near despotic powers over its economic and military development. Fortunately for that generation of Imbrosians, it appears to have been a wise choice. He began a series of economic reforms that strenthened the island nation's standing as a trading power.

Shortly after rising to power, Amaximader ordered the creation of a university of philosophy and recruited some of Athen's best intellects to come and teach there. In exchange for this Athenian brain power, he signed guarantees on Athenian trade and made regular payments to the league. The research institution focused its attention on three major areas - the development of a surprisingly modern theory of scientific inquiry (which led to the eventual expantion of the university to include a library, a guild, and finally a full-fledged school), research into improvements of building materials and architectual techniques (building materials were the only reliable exports from the island nation) and ways in which it could improve trade and commerce.

According to Dr. Carre's work, the Imbrosians achieved very high standards in these three areas. This knowledge advantage led to the establishment of a thriving building materials export market and a large trading market that served the entire region. In addition, Imbrosian diplomats established strong economic ties with other Ionian city states in Asia Minor.

A pirate attack some time in 390BC or so nearly wiped out the fledgingly city state, and led Amaximader to create a defensive plan. Seeing as his nation lacked a strong citizen's base for raising and sustaining an army, he turned this into his advantage by building a large complex to house Greek mercenary warriors he recruited. It is clear that, for Greek mercenaries, this was a great job. Amaximader had no expansionist ambitions, so the vast majority of their time was spent enjoying the growing port town. This must have been an expensive solution to Imbros' security concerns, but it did have the advantage of allowing the island nation to focus on its economic development, and citizens appreciated not being asked to fight and die in wars.

Amaximader's strategic decisions, moderate foreign policy and economic reforms led to a twenty year golden age in Imbros (Approximately 390BC to 370BC). Skeletons from this era show fewer signs of stress, and the average height increased by nearly 3 inches. The city reached a peak population of over 60,000 citizens, and a far larger population of non-citizen inhabitants. Garbage discovered from this period also shows that the inhabitants enjoyed a varied diet which led to better health. This was, undoubtedly one of the positive outcomes of Imbros becoming such an important trading hub.

During this period, Dr. Carre's work shows that twice the island nation was attacked by Thracian tribes, and twice they were repelled by the mercenary army. It is also clear that Amaximader was worried enough about the nation's ability with withstand a full-scale invasion that he repeatedly asked for assistance from Athens. Athens did provide assistance in rolling back the Thracian tribes at some cost to her. This provides further evidence of how important Athenian leaders regarded their island ally

By 370, Imbros was a major hub of support for the Ionian colonies on Asia minor fighting a losing war for independence against the advancing Persian armies. Persian's military leaders were very aware of the strategic importance of Imbros, and began making plans for its conquest.

Unfortunately for Imbros and all the eastern allies of Athens, she was now fighting a losing battle against the Thebians, and after being significantly weakened, would be conquered by the rising Macedonian nation. Imbrosian diplomats tried to pursuade the Macedonians to serve as her new protector. The Macedonians were friendly with the island nation, but Philip was too focused on consolidating his own power to worry about the fate of those far-off Greek cities.

Having lost her protectors, Imbros' leaders began to prepare for war with the Persians. More mercenaries were hired, and the Island nation actually dismantled its once-proud school to make room for city walls.

In 367, the Persian army conquered Imbros and executed Amaximader. We know of these events from the writings of Aristotle, who had gone to visit the recently-destroyed school and collect its remaining texts for transportation to Athens. Aristotle wrote about the relatively feeble performance of the mercenaries upon which Imbros depended. Shortly after engaging the enormous and formidable Persian army, they fled toward the shores. The mercenaries stole merchant ships in which to flee while the Persians sacked the defenseless city. After witnessing this battle, Aristotle would famously caution against the use of mercenaries, despite their skill, because they were not as committed as citizen-soldiers.

The Persians decided to dismantle Imbros completely, since they did not need its ports to continue their advance, and as long as the ports remained, there was a danger that subsequent conquest of the city would result in a renewed source of supplies for the remaining Greek city states in Asia Minor.

[IainMcNeil]

Cool - havent seen an AR for a while, so its good to see

[zorro]

Cool - havent seen an AR for a while, so its good to see

Thanks! I'm amazed how much I still enjoy Spartan. You and your colleagues did a fantastic job.

Now, if you can only lean on Virtual Programming to finally release the Macintosh version of Gates of Troy...

Z

[IainMcNeil]

Thanks - it cant be long now. I haven't been keeping track though - so busy with Arena.

[duncan]

Nice start!!!!! Never seen an AAR as a History article.

Anguile must add this to his guide...

Can you upload some screenshots??? With some screens it would be much better than it is

[zorro]

Nice start!!!!! Never seen an AAR as a History article.

Anguile must add this to his guide...

Can you upload some screenshots??? With some screens it would be much better than it is

Thanks mate!

Unfortunately, my poor, poor Imbros was sacked by the Persians. Surviving 600 turns in "impossible" seems rather, uh, impossible.

My next AAP (if I get inspired to do another one) will include screen captures. I agree - they add a lot.

Z