Philip left his authority to his son Alexander, the Conqueror, during whose absence in Persia, the Athenians attempted to regain their liberties, but were soon suppressed by his General Antipater. On the death of Alexander, Athens again revolted, and at first obtained some considerable advantages; but Antipater, being reinforced, put [Sidenote: A. A. C. 322.] an end to her triumphs, and caused her principal citizens to be put to death. Demosthenes fled; but, being detected in his retreat, he poisoned himself.
From this time, Athens was almost constantly kept in subjection by one or other of the successors of Alexander, until about two hundred years before Christ, when, being attacked by Philip III. of Macedon, the Athenians complained to the Romans, who had lately concluded a peace with the King, but now again declared war against him; and being joined by several of the Greek States, Philip was soon overcome. The only use the [Sidenote: A. A. C. 196.] Romans made of their conquest, was to shew their magnanimity, by restoring liberty to all the cities of Greece.
In the war between Rome and Antiochus, Greece was at first a principal scene of action. In this, the Romans were again successful, and confirmed their former generosity: but, at last, finding the different States constantly at variance, and one or other of them [Sidenote: A. A. C. 146.] ever imploring the assistance of Rome, they put an end to their disputes, by forming them into a Roman province. They had previously defeated and taken Perseus, the last King of Macedonia; after which, it only remained to dispel the Achæan League, which had been so famous under Philopœmen.
In the war between Mithridates and the Romans, the former got possession of Athens; but, after a noble defence, it was retaken the year following by Sylla, who carried its library to [Sidenote: A. A. C. 86.] Rome, with many of its most valuable pieces of sculpture and painting. Attica continued to share the fate of the Romans, until their great Empire was divided into the Eastern and Western branches. Greece then appertained to the former, and fell with it into the hands of the Turks, on the taking of Constantinople by Mahomet II.--A. D. 1453.