ABSTRACT
Antigonus II Gonatas (277–239) put an end to anarchy by defeating the Gauls and implementing a policy of consolidation. The invasion of the Gauls in 280–279 was a turning point for Macedonia. The garrisons both secured the maintenance of the Antigonid fleet and kept the city-states from being logistically able to unite against Macedonia. Rome's policy all along had been not to keep a military presence in the Aegean Greek world, but at the same time the Senate was not willing to accept Macedonia as an equal power in the east. At the invitation of the Aetolians Antiochus III crossed the Aegean to Demetrias in the fall of 192 as the new 'liberator' of the Greeks. The Romans for their part were facing tremendous criticism for their handling of the Greek 'liberation'. Macedonia had always been and still was a valuable buffer state between northern 'barbarian' tribes and the southern Greek states.
