In the hellenistic period the Greek city-states are thought to have lost
their independence and thereby also their possibilities of democratic
government. This study shows that interstate relations among the Greek
cities of coastal Asia Minor were active. Measures were taken to solve
conflicts and to strengthen ties of friendship among cities, but the
cities did not refrain from claiming their rights vis-a-vis each other
and even waging wars; in the power struggle between the changing
hegemons, the poleis had possibilities to manoeuvre fairly
independently. By systematizing and analyzing the frequency and contents
of hellenistic decrees enacted by the council and the demos in four East
Greek city-states, the study shows that the latter were democratically
ruled, and the issues decided on foremost concerned foreign relations.
However, in the second half of the second century polis decrees
gradually decrease, to cease altogether towards the end of the first
century BC. A possible reason is the growing power of Rome and the
establishment of the Roman province of Asia in 129 BC. Under a sole
hegemon the poleis no longer had possibilities to set their own agenda.