ACHAEAN LEAGUE
280 BC - 146 BC

Pronounce ACHAEAN

The Achaean League, also spelled Achaian League, was an alliance between the cities of Achaea, or Achaia, in ancient Greece. Later, foreign cities could join as well.

The Achaean League was formed in 280 BC. Their main goal was to stick together against the Macedonians, the Spartans, and the Romans. The foreign policy of the Achaean League was one big juggle.

In 247 BC, the Macedonians were kicked out of the city of Corinth. In 227 BC, the Spartans declared war. In 224 BC, the members of the Achaean League went back to the Macedonians, said we're sorry but please help us overpower the Spartans. The Macedonians came back and did just so.

But the Macedonians were breathing down the Achaean necks too closely, so in 198 BC, the Achaean League teamed up with the Romans against Macedon, which united most of the Peloponnese, including Sparta.

Now, the Macedonians weren't a threat any longer but the Romans didn't like the Achaean's love of independence either. Hence, the Romans dissolved the Achaean League in 146 BC.

And here is the map:

Achaean League
Click to enlarge

FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD ACHAEAN LEAGUE
This was the Second Achaean League.

The First Achaean League was in its prime during the 5th and 4th century BC. Back then, the threat of the day came from ruthless pirates and from the Macedonians.

There was a Third Achaean League set up shortly after the Romans had dissolved the Second one. It was much smaller and stayed in place until the end of the first century BC.