279 BC: Successful resistance against a Gallic invasion
:: Expansionist Period (279-217 BC) ::
Member States: Extended to Locris, Phocis, parts of Thessaly, Delphi and Cephallenia.
Primary Enemies: Macedonian Kingdom, Achaean League
Geographic Expansion: Throughout Central and Southern Greece
:: Declining Period (217-168 BC) ::
Member States: Fragmenting, primarily original Aetolian tribes
Primary Enemy: Roman Republic, conflicts with Philip V of Macedon
Geographic Contraction: Returning to core Aetolian territories
The end date of 168 BC marks the Roman dissolution of the League.
** = The Apodoti, Ophioneis, and Eurytanes were three primary Aetolian tribal groups that formed the core of
the early Aetolian League.
The Apodoti were northwestern of the three tribes, they inhabited
regions near the Achelous River, and
they were considered the most politically influential initially.
The Ophioneis were a central and eastern Aetolian tribe. They played
a significant role in the League's military operations.
The Eurytanes were a larger tribe. They inhabited
mountainous southeastern Aetolia and
were known for their fierce warriors and their resistance to outside control.
These three tribes shared linguistic and cultural similarities, and formed the foundational ethnic and political
base of the Aetolian League. Their mountainous homeland contributed to their reputation as skilled fighters and
their ability to resist external domination.
