Roman balance of power policies in the Eastern Mediterranean and their role in Cyrenaica's transition from Ptolemaic to Roman control

Abstract

This study examines how Rome employed a calculated balance-of-power policy in the Eastern Mediterranean to expand its influence and facilitate the transfer of Cyrenaica from Ptolemaic authority to direct Roman control without resorting to open military conflict. The significance of the research lies in its ability to uncover the diplomatic mechanisms through which Rome managed regional rivalries, particularly the persistent internal divisions within the Ptolemaic dynasty, which provided an ideal gateway for gradual Roman intervention. The central research problem focuses on understanding how Rome shifted from being a distant external power to a legitimate “guardian” over the region, supported by political interactions and royal wills. The study adopts the hypothesis that Roman ascendancy in Cyrenaica was not merely the result of Ptolemaic instability, but rather the outcome of a deliberate strategy aimed at reshaping regional alliances in Rome’s favor. Using a historical-analytical approach, the research traces key events, contextualizes them within broader Mediterranean politics, and analyzes Roman–Ptolemaic relations based on ancient sources. The study concludes with two main findings: first, Rome’s expansion into Cyrenaica unfolded as a prolonged diplomatic process rooted in legitimacy rather than force; and second, internal Ptolemaic conflicts played a decisive role in enabling Rome to solidify its influence and eventually impose direct control.