Asia in the Ancient World
Asia in the Ancient World refers to the region of western Asia Minor, notably shaped by Roman annexation in 133 BC, when it became known as the province of Asia. This province encompassed vibrant and historically significant territories such as Mysia, Aeolis, Ionia, and Lydia, with Pergamum established as its capital. Over time, cities like Ephesus gained prominence, potentially overtaking Pergamum as the main urban center. The province experienced both exploitation and prosperity, highlighted by a major revolt against Roman governance initiated by Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus during the late 1st century BC, which led to significant violence against Italian residents.
In the following centuries, Asia witnessed cultural and economic flourishing, evidenced by the issuance of local bronze coinage by numerous cities. However, the region faced challenges, including Gothic invasions in the 3rd century, which led to administrative changes and the eventual subdivision of the province into smaller entities. By the later stages of the Roman Empire, these divisions contributed to the region's role as a crucial source of resources for the Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople. Understanding Asia's ancient history reveals a complex interplay of cultural richness, administrative evolution, and the impact of external forces on its development.
Subject Terms
Asia in the Ancient World
was the name of the great province formed by the Romans in western Asia Minor when they annexed the kingdom of King Attalus III of Pergamum in 133 BC, extending their control or supervision to the numerous rich and ancient city-states in this extensive and, in most parts, highly civilized region
The province, with its capital at Pergamum, originally comprised Mysia (with the Troad), Aeolis and Ionia together with the islands belonging to these territories; and Lydia, farther inland, was also incorporated. Another region that was included was Caria, though perhaps not at once. The greater (northern) part of Phrygia was also absorbed into Provincia Asia in 116, though between 56 and 50 certain areas of south Phrygia belonged to the province of Cilicia, and in 25 eastern Phrygian territories were added to a newly created province of Galatia.
The Asian province was so ruthlessly exploited by Roman governors and financiers that a large part of its population responded to the call of Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus to revolt (88–84), collaborating, it was said, in the massacre of 80,000 Italian residents in a single day. Arbitrary Roman exactions continued to be frequent until the time of Augustus, when prosperity was restored. In the administrative division of the Roman provinces between emperor and senate, Asia and Africa were the principal senatorial provinces, entrusted to senior proconsuls of consular rank. Ephesus overtook Pergamum as Asia's most important city, though it is uncertain whether it also became the official capital of the province. Provincial unity was expressed in the Commune Asiae, a general assembly of the cities of the province, which provided for the official worship of Rome and Augustus under the direction of the Chief Priest of Asia.
The Acts of the Apostles offer a vivid picture of conditions in Asia during the mid-first century AD, and Dio Chrysostom and Aelius Aristides testify to its great prosperity in the century that followed, during which 168 of its cities issued their own local bronze coinage. In the third century, however, Asia suffered severely from Gothic invasions. Phrygia-Caria became a separate province before 259, and in the later empire the former Asian province was subdivided into no less than seven smaller provinces (Asia, Lydia, Caria, Hellespontus, Insulae, Phrygia Pacatiana, and Phrygia Salutaris), which were grouped together with adjoining territories to form the administrative diocese of Asiana. This region, together with the more easterly diocese of Pontica which comprised most of the remaining portions of Asia Minor, provided the principal reservoir of manpower and financial resources to the Byzantine empire centered on Constantinople.