Studia Antiqua et Archaeologica 27(2): 357-373
Mait KÕIV
ABSTRACT
The article explores the cultural and political interaction between the Anatolian kingdoms and the elites
of the Greek poleis on the Anatolian coast, with special attention to Archaic Ephesos for which relatively good evidence
for the relations with Lydia is available. It demonstrates how the neighbouring hegemonic monarchies provided
imitable examples for the Greek elite leaders and offered real opportunities for claiming, legitimating and entrenching
their power. This shows, on the one hand, how the elites on the fringes of an empire could profit from imperial power,
how the mild influence of an empire shaped the internal order of the communities in its sphere of influence by
promoting the position of the local leaders. On the other hand, this sheds light on the strategies used by empires for
attaining control of strategically important points on their outskirts.
KEYWORDS
Ancient history, Archaic Greece, ancient Anatolia, early state formation.