History of Thessalian League
The Thessalian League/confederacy was made up of several cities in
the Thessalian valley in Northern Greece. This area was completely
surrounded by mountains and isolated except for a few passes.
It was one of the few areas of Greece self-sufficient in grain and
produced livestock and horses. Thessaly had the best calvary in
Greece. The league was frequently weakened by intercity rivalries
and lost its strength in the 5th century BC. The league was
re-established in 374 BC by the tyrant Jason. He was assassinated in
370 BC, when it became evident that he had plans of conquest against
the rest of Greece. After the death of Jason, there was infighting in
the league and some of the cities requested help from Philip II
of Macedon to settle the rivalries, which he accomplished in
353 BC. A few years later (344 BC), Philip II simply took control
of the entire area. Thessaly remained under Macedonian control until
Macedonia was defeated by the Romans in 197 BC. A new league was established
in 196 BC. The league continued until 146 BC, then became part of the
Roman province of Macedonia.
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