ABSTRACT
As Rome grew throughout the Republic and Early Empire, so too did the length of her borders and consequently the number of her neighbours. Each new set of peoples brought with them their own diplomatic challenges. Often Rome formed alliances and friendships with the polities around her. This dialogue between mainly unequal partners was part of the natural strategy of defence that many states have engaged in since time immemorial, protecting their own economic and territorial interests. Tools used in such strategies vary: they might include dynastic marriages, treaties, military assistance, and the education of the satellite state’s elite at home schools or universities, creating that all-important network of friends amongst the international political elite. The purpose of all of these was to foster trade and exchange, and gain political dominance, without the necessity of engaging in too much military activity. We might choose to call these smaller territories satellite states, allies or client kingdoms depending on their time and place in world history, but all lived in the shadow of greater powers.
