02-05-2009, 04:37 PM
The name Massilia is said to have had a Phoenician origin. ‘Massa’ meaning harbour or a place to moor boats, the first eastern colonists were actually from Phocaea, a mixture of Ionian Greeks and Phoenicians.
Apparently Massilia were militarily superior to the Carthaginians, who they twice defeated in the late 6th and early 4th century BC. So, I think the main factors for Rome’s friendly relations were Trade and military might, both of which the Massiliotes were probably superior.
The Romans couldn’t have matched them in terms of Trade in her early years and probable not in military might either.
I think it was purely a trade relationship.
you can only trade with friends and not enemies.
Apparently Massilia were militarily superior to the Carthaginians, who they twice defeated in the late 6th and early 4th century BC. So, I think the main factors for Rome’s friendly relations were Trade and military might, both of which the Massiliotes were probably superior.
The Romans couldn’t have matched them in terms of Trade in her early years and probable not in military might either.
I think it was purely a trade relationship.
you can only trade with friends and not enemies.
