Much has been said and written about Greek “aristocracy”, and the word has been used in several ways, from a general “elite” to a restricted “nobility” of birth. However, the exact nature of Greek aristocracy has never been fully investigated. Recently several paths of research have promoted new definitions in the field of political history, sociology or economic studies.

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In 9 BC the Koinon of Asia resolved to modify the local calendar. The lunar calendar of the Macedonian type, until then in effect, would be transformed into a solar calendar of the Roman type. The year in Asia Minor would start on September 23 so that it could coincide with Augustus’ birthday.

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From Cyrus the Great to Darius III many Greeks, as well as other indigenous aristocrats, gained royal favors, were appointed by the Great kings or stand at the service of Persian satraps – although not all of them could be counted as real aristocrats, and they had no share in the political power. This policy was part of a political strategy to smooth off the relations with the submitted nations.

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The current paper is an overview of the piratical activities in Asia Minor from the age of Homer through to Roman times. The notion and the causes of piracy are explored from their earliest appearance in the Homeric epics to the emergence of the pirate states along the Anatolian coast which threatened the commerce of the Roman Empire. Particular emphasis is given to Roman written testimonies.

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By the 2nd century BC already Rome sought to win over the local Greek aristocracy, whose political ambitions were mainly expressed through the gaining of the state of Roman republic, considered the first stage in the process of province-creation in the East. The second stage of the integration of these citizens into the Roman political system was their acceptance into the class of the equites. With respect to the body of the senate, the standard Roman practice was that only distinguished...

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The Senate (or council of Elders) is a body of aristocratic character with specific political and administrative jurisdictions in the Archaic and Classical period of the Ancient Greek history. Although not being a ruling body, the Senatus has important political and social duties, and is considered the guardian of the traditional Greek identity of the cities of the East, where the Roman emperor is to hold a dominant position.

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