Mediterranean Anarchy

Nice review, I like the opinions of this proffesor.

"Rome, having become mistress of the Western Mediterranean, was drawn into the power vacuum of the Eastern Mediterranean caused by the disintegration of the Ptolemaic regime." - this is a strange assesement, the Ptolemies were never that influential in the areas of imediat interest for Rome.

Nice review, I like the opinions of this proffesor.

"Rome, having become mistress of the Western Mediterranean, was drawn into the power vacuum of the Eastern Mediterranean caused by the disintegration of the Ptolemaic regime." - this is a strange assesement, the Ptolemies were never that influential in the areas of imediat interest for Rome.

They were, they were, especially in Crete into which the Romans are drawn during the second half of the second century BC, for the island was torn by wars and competiting alliances under the influence of the Ptolemies and of the Rhodians. Read Van Effentere ( a bit dated but he still gives good informations on the fact and published various treaties between cities during that period )

Control of the Egyptian grain supply was also a consideration.