Ancient Greek city states
Aitolian Association
The Aitolian Association was a federation of ancient Greek cities in the region of Aitolia, located in west-central Greece.
The inhabitants of this periphery were generally regarded as semi-barbarians and pirates at best. However, the opposite was true, as this association was a complex organization with a strong military that could rival any other state. By the end of the 3rd century BC, the Aitolian League controlled almost the whole of central Greece, with Lokrid, Phocis, Acarnania and parts of Thessaly as members.
The Aitolian League had its first serious conflict in 279 BC, when it defeated the Celts (Galatians) at Delphi. The League continued to grow stronger, but increasingly came into conflict with the Achaean League, led by Aratos of Sicyon. Their mutual animosity was encouraged by the Macedonians, who used it to their advantage and to strengthen their influence in the area.
The Aitolian Association was the first Greek ally of Rome in the First Macedonian War. The following years were no different.