History of the Social War (220–217 BC): What caused it, and who were the key participants?
The Social War, also known as the War of the Allies or the Aetolian War, was a significant conflict fought between the Hellenic League, under Philip V of Macedon, and the Aetolian League, Sparta, and Elis. It ended with the Peace of Naupactus in 217 BC, marking a pivotal moment in the shifting balance of power in ancient Greece.
Roots of the Conflict
The tensions leading to the Social War were rooted in territorial ambitions and political rivalries. The Aetolian League had grown in size following the First Illyrian War (228 BC) and sought to expand into Thessaly, a region where Macedonian control had waned. This expansionism heightened Macedonian-Aetolian hostilities, creating a foundation of suspicion and rivalry.
The rise of the Hellenic League, an alliance including Macedon, the Achaean League, and others, further threatened the Aetolians. Established during the Cleomenean War in the 220s BC under Antigonus III Doson, the league sought to unify Greece under Macedonian hegemony. When Philip V inherited the throne in 221 BC, the Aetolians saw the young king as both a threat and an opportunity to challenge Macedon’s growing influence.
A map showing Greece during the Cleomenean War.
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Aetolian Raids and the Escalation of Conflict
In 220 BC, the Aetolians initiated provocative raids in the Peloponnesian region. Led by strategos Ariston and his nephews Scopas and Dorimachus, these raids targeted Achaean cities and Messenia. The Aetolians looted and burned settlements, heightening tensions with the Achaeans and spurring Messenia to seek protection from the Hellenic League.
The Aetolians’ actions culminated in the Battle of Caphyae, where they defeated an Achaean force led by Aratus of Sicyon. This defeat highlighted the Achaeans’ vulnerability and prompted Philip V to intervene. The Aetolians’ alliance with Illyrian forces further provoked Macedon, setting the stage for open war.
Declaration of War
Philip V convened the Hellenic League in Corinth, where grievances against the Aetolians were aired. The declaration of war in 220 BC was unanimous among the league members, though actual military contributions varied. While Philip sought to assert Macedonian dominance and bolster his reputation as a leader, the war also reflected the league’s collective frustrations with Aetolian aggression.
Philip began the war by intervening in the Lyttian War on Crete, wresting control of the island from the Aetolians. He then secured alliances with Illyrian fleets, bolstering his naval strength.
Campaigns of 219 BC: Aetolian Advances and Macedonian Retaliation
In 219 BC, the Aetolians launched widespread attacks. They raided Thessaly, desecrating sacred sites like the sanctuaries at Dion and Dodona, while Sparta and Elis attacked Achaea from other directions. The Achaeans, weakened by internal strife and mutinies among their mercenaries, struggled to resist.
Philip V’s response was strategic and swift. He launched a counteroffensive from Epirus, capturing Aetolian cities such as Elaeus and Oeniadae. However, he was forced to return to Macedon to address a perceived threat from the Dardanians, an invasion that ultimately did not materialize.
Campaigns of 218 BC: Macedonian Momentum
Philip began a winter campaign in the Peloponnese, demonstrating his military acumen. He captured several key locations, including Psophis, Lasion, and Samicum, often returning these cities to his allies. His success in Triphylia, where he defeated a combined force of Aetolians, Spartans, and Illyrians, further bolstered his position.
Philip also launched a devastating attack on the Aetolian heartland. He marched to Thermon, the Aetolian political and religious center, where his forces destroyed temples and statues. This act symbolized Macedonian dominance and Aetolian vulnerability.
Campaigns of 217 BC: The Final Year
The Achaeans, under the experienced leadership of Aratus of Sicyon, managed to reorganize and fend off Aetolian raids. The Battle of Leontion was a turning point, where Achaean forces defeated the Aetolian general Euripidas, killing hundreds of raiders and capturing many.
Philip continued his campaigns in Thessaly and Aetolian territories, capturing key locations like Thebes in Phthiotic Achaea. However, dissatisfaction among his Illyrian allies and growing unrest among his troops forced him to shift focus. News of Roman defeats in the Second Punic War encouraged Philip to seek peace with the Aetolians, prioritizing his ambitions in the west.
The Peace of Naupactus
In 217 BC, the Social War ended with the Peace of Naupactus. Both sides retained their current territories, a compromise that reflected exhaustion on both ends. For Philip, the treaty allowed him to redirect his attention to Rome, which was emerging as a major power in the region.
Outcome and Legacy
The Social War marked a significant victory for the Hellenic League, strengthening Macedonian dominance in Greece. However, the conflict revealed weaknesses within the league. The limited engagement of its minor allies and the poor performance of Achaean forces highlighted internal divisions.
For Philip V, the war bolstered his reputation as a capable military leader. However, his increasingly autocratic behavior during the conflict strained relationships with key allies like Aratus. This shift in Philip’s character and ambitions ultimately threatened the cohesion of the Hellenic League.
The Social War was a precursor to larger conflicts, particularly Macedon’s wars with Rome. Philip’s growing ambitions and territorial expansions drew the ire of neighboring states and the Roman Republic, setting the stage for the First Macedonian War (214–205 BC) and the eventual decline of Macedonian hegemony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Social War (220–217 BC)?
The Social War, also known as the War of the Allies or the Aetolian War, was a conflict fought between the Hellenic League, led by Philip V of Macedon, and the Aetolian League, Sparta, and Elis. It ended with the Peace of Naupactus in 217 BC.
Bust of Philip V at the National Roman Museum in Italy.
What caused the Social War?
Tensions arose from the Aetolian League’s territorial expansion, particularly into regions like Thessaly, which brought them into conflict with Macedon. The creation of the Hellenic League, unifying Macedon and its allies, further threatened the Aetolians, who sought to counterbalance Macedonian influence.
Who were the key participants in the war?
The Hellenic League, led by Philip V of Macedon and including the Achaean League and other allies, fought against the Aetolian League, Sparta, and Elis.
How did the war begin?
The Aetolians launched raids on Achaean territories, prompting retaliation from the Hellenic League. These provocations and territorial disputes escalated into open conflict.
What role did Philip V of Macedon play?
Philip V served as the leader of the Hellenic League, using the war to consolidate Macedonian power in Greece and establish himself as a capable military commander.
What were the major campaigns of the war?
Key campaigns included Philip’s successful offensives in Aetolia and the Peloponnese, such as his destruction of Thermon, the Aetolian religious center, and his victories in Triphylia and Arcadia.
What was the significance of the Peace of Naupactus?
The treaty ended the war by maintaining the status quo, with each side retaining its current territories. This allowed Philip to shift his focus toward growing Roman influence.
What was the outcome of the Social War?
The war strengthened Macedonian dominance in Greece but revealed divisions within the Hellenic League. It also marked a turning point in Philip V’s leadership, as his ambitions began to strain alliances.
