Published: 2019-12-151

The progress of urbanization during the rein of Pyrrhus of Epirus – the case of Berenike and Antigonea

Miron Wolny
Echa Przeszłości
Section: ARTICLES
https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.4828

Abstract

The article discusses the progress of urbanization during the rein of Pyrrhus of Epirus on the example of two towns in the extreme regions of ancient Epirus: Berenike in the south and Antigonea in the north. Different research tools were used to examine the analyzed cases. The founding of Berenike is confirmed by literary sources, whereas the establishment of Antigonea and its links with Pyrrhus remain fairly speculative in modern science and are not backed by historical sources. The author’s research indicates that the location of Berenike was not accidental. The city had good links to the outside world, and it was the ideal military base for conducting offensive operations against Italy. The funds for establishing Berenike could have been contributed by the Ptolemaic court which had an interest in promoting Pyrrhus’ plans in the western part of the Mediterranean Region. Presumably, Antigonea had been established before Berenike as a fortified city to safeguard Epirus in the north. The two cities as well as Ambracia, Dodona and Passaron played an important role in the defense of Epirus, and they set the theoretical foundations for the emergence of an imperial state.

Keywords:

Hellenic world, Epirus, urbanization, Pyrrhus

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Wolny, M. (2019). The progress of urbanization during the rein of Pyrrhus of Epirus – the case of Berenike and Antigonea. Echa Przeszłości, (XX/1). https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.4828

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