alternatehistory.com

299 BC

The Celto-Ligurian towns of Arelate,Cabelio,Avenio old allies and trade partners of Massalia under the pressure of Vocontii raids pledged to be part of the Massaliot league.Due to the fact that they where not of Phocaean/Greek origin, the Massaliot league made a new branch of the league for new allies that want to join, the Εteroi. Εteroi granted a second tier citizenship and had to contribute troops in time of war and tribute but from now on their foreign policy is dictated by Massaliot league. The vassalization was easy due to the fact that the three cities already had been heavily influenced from the Greek culture and around 20% of their population was of Greek origin.

The rivalry of the new and old noble families of the Massaliot League took an interesting turn. The new nobility (dynatoi) to gain more influence founded their soft-drink company*(based on Athens companies) for the purpose of sponsor(liturgy)studies,theatre,expeditions and military actions.The first Academy of Massalia is founded later that year. The foundation of Massaliot League last year and the expansion of trade through the vassalizition the Celto-Ligurian towns started already to boost a wealthy common treasury.

* Heh "soft drink" companies sounds weird. I should explained it better.

In classical Athens, the institution of liturgies provided many ways for the wealthy citizens to bestow their wealth and time upon the community. The rich Athenians where kind of “sponsors” of the Academy also. In my time line, they grouped in 'soft-drink' companies/factions/political parties to gain more influence.for example in Athens OTL: In the speech Against Androtion Demosthenes describes a group of some four to ten councillors who, in collusion with Androtion, were capable of controlling the Council of Five Hundred

So the massaliot League “soft drinks” companies are informal political parties that nobles with same interests meet in private meetings drinking watered wine and organise their agenda.



By place (original timeline)

Roman Republic

• The Samnites, seizing their chance when Rome is engaged on the Lombard plain, start the third Samnite War with a collection of mercenaries from Gaul,Sabine, and Etruscan allies to help them.

298 BC

The old nobility of Massalia(Palaioi) respond to Dynatoi by founding their own soft drink company. The second academy of Massalia founded this year.

Massaliot league assembly still in awe of Pytheas astonishing travels, orders a new expedition with funds from the common treasury. 2 modified biremes and 3 trade ships with 400 personnel under the leadership of Adelphius(student of Pytheas) went to explore the Rhone river.

Vocontii started raiding again the towns of Avenio and Cabelio.

By place (original timeline)

Roman Republic

• The Samnites defeat the Romans under Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus in the Battle of Camerinum, the first battle of the Third Samnite War.
• The Roman armies penetrate into the heart of the Samnite territory and then capture the Samnite cities of Taurasia, Bovianum Vetus and Aufidena.

Sicily

• Agathocles, king of Syracuse, assists the Italian Greeks against the Bruttians and supported the Greeks against the Romans.

Egypt

• Ptolemy gives his stepdaughter Theoxena in marriage to Agathocles, the tyrant of Syracuse (in south-eastern Sicily).
• Ptolemy finally brings the rebellious region of Cyrene under his control. He places the region under the rule of his stepson Magas.