ProQuest Dissertations - Historia Antigua

In the following section I will set aside the assumption of broad factional politicsunderlying colonization efforts in favor of individual commissioners' reasons for settlingcolonists abroad. These reasons are depicted in Figure 2.2, which is a subset of therelationships illustrated in the Colonial Agency Chart (Figure 1.3).Figure 2.2:A Commissioner'sImpetus to ColonizeFirst, I will suggest that there is sometimes a regional focus, wherein certaincommissioners seem drawn to a particular area because of prior experience there or extantfamilial ties to the territory. Then, I will discuss the benefits provided by founding acolony to the commissioners, including an increased clientele, political favor, assistanceup the cursus honorum, and economic advantages taken by commissioners. Finally, I willsuggest that the colonial commissions functioned as a stage for personal rivalries anddifferences in opinion as to the appropriate disposition of conquered people andformation of colonies among them. Ultimately, the diversity of the colonies founded,76