Client kingdoms in ancient Rome

Background

The Romans realized that ruling and assimilating many peoples at once was nearly impossible, so they adopted a plan of gradual annexation. They left provisional organization in the hands of princes born and raised in the country of origin. These client kings promoted political and economic development, fostering civilization and economy until their kingdoms reached an acceptable level of development and could be incorporated as new provinces. The conditions of vassal-client status were transitory in nature.

Client kings were entrusted with ensuring security along their borders against low-intensity infiltration and dangers, and also handled internal dynastic matters within the imperial security system. Sometimes serious unrest in client kingdoms threatened adjacent provinces, requiring direct Roman military intervention, as during the Tacfarinas revolt in Africa, where a second legion, the IX Hispana, was sent.

Did You Know?

• The first clear client kingdom outside Italy is often considered to be Numidia or other Hellenistic states, not Massalia, which was a much earlier ally of Rome.
• During the Second Punic War, the Numidian king Masinissa received gifts from Rome including a purple toga, a curule seat of ivory, and a five-pound golden cup, as recorded by Livy (30.15).
• The kingdom of Pergamon was bequeathed to the Roman Republic after the death of Attalus III in 133 BC, leading to its transformation into a Roman province.
• The Nabataean Kingdom became a Roman client state under Augustus, not in 62 BC; the siege of Petra by Aulus Gabinius occurred in 55 BC, and the payment of 300 talents is not a standard historical detail for that event.