Macedonian King Research Articles

Ostilità e omaggio al nuovo signore? I commediografi ateniesi davanti a Filippo II. Un’ipotesi su due frammenti di Efippo e Alessi

In addition to the rhetoricians and orators who at Athens supported or opposed Philip, a number of playwrights – such as Ephippus and Alexis – did not hesitate to express their opinions of the Macedonian king. Some fragments of their works, however, seem to show conflicting positions, for if Ephippus supported the anti-Macedonian party, Alexis, while including Philip in some comedies, did not blame the king by turning him into a comic mask, but praised his political decisions and his respect for religion and traditions.

Grant of Prominent Individuals for the Restoration of a Gymnasium in Larissa

Philip V king of Macedon and his son Perseus are recorded on a list as prominent individuals for the restoration of a gymnasium in Larissa, as a result of the new scenario after the Second Macedonian War. The decree (first quarter of II century BC) concerns the epidosis of local nobles and in general the euergetism of Hellenistic kings.

Circumstances of accession to the throne of Philip II of Macedon: problems and discussions

The persona of the Macedonian King Philip II continues to stir controversy among researchers. The goal of this article is lies in examination of the problems and contradictions associated with the circumstances of accession to the throne of Philip II of Macedon (360/359-336 BC). Separate attention is given to the discussions on his captivity in Thebes and Illyria, as well as their impact upon Philip's future policy. The author considers the problem of regency and interrelated system of Macedonian succession to the throne. The scientific novelty lies in comprehensive analysis of the sources that describe the initial period of the reign of Philip II of Macedon. The conclusion is made that in his youth years, Philip was being held in captive not only in Thebes, but in Illyria as well. The authors believe that the beginning of the reign of Philip II of Macedon, which is traditionally considered in historiography as 359 BC, should be replaced with 360 BC. Moreover, the complicated international situation alongside domestic instability should have influenced the proclamation of Philip II as king without a regency period.

О ПЕКТОРАЛИ ИЗ КУРГАНА ТОЛСТАЯ МОГИЛА: ИЗ ОПЫТА ИЗУЧЕНИЯ СКИФСКИХ РЕЛИКВИЙ ГРЕЧЕСКОЙ РАБОТЫ

The uniqueness and complexity of the composition on the pectoral examined here, a piece gold jewelry from the Scythian burial mound Tolstaya Mogila, С. 4 BC, encouraged researchers to assume it held exceptional significance in Scythian culture, and the idea emerged that the pectoral belonged to a Scythian cult role, and this view has been developed in most studies. However, we do not have any information confirming ritual its use. The pectoral was found in the mound, but outside the burial itself. The plot of the main narrative depicted can be correlated with an ancient legend about the origin of the dynasty of the Macedonian kings, the Argeades. Its style and technical features do not rule out identification of the place of manufacture as Macedonia or Northern Greece. The “Scythian tradition” in modern scholarship allows for the exchange of Royal gifts, as well as military trophies, between Scythian and Macedonian (Greek) rulers. Still, many things remain unclear. The pectoral has no analogues either in the Scythian world, or in the Greek. Despite the correspondence of its elements and techniques with those of other works, the pectoral remains an exceptional and individual work of art, still unsurpassed in the complexity of its design and the quality of its workmanship.

Odwołania do Aleksandra Wielkiego i ich rola w Żywocie Demetriusza Plutarcha z Cheronei

Among all Plutarch’s Lives of men that lived after IV B.C., the biography of Demetrius Poliorcetes contains the most references to Alexander the Great. It is noteworthy that references to this figure in comparison to other Plutarchean biographies occur in greater numbers and in various contexts. The article is an attempt to demonstrate that the references to Alexander the Great played an important role in the construction of the Plutarch’s Life of Demetrius. Thus their purpose was to portrayal Poliorcetes as a failed imitator of famous Macedonian king. The considerations presented in the article can be used as an argument for changing the image of Demetrius in scholarly literature.

O diadema e Alexandre

The rise of Alexander, son of Olympias and Philip as a king of Macedon certainly constitutes one of the most discussed and fascinating chapters regarding the ancient history of the Mediterranean World. The Macedonian experience had modified the political scenario of the region in a permanent way and, in this sense, there has long been a debate surrounding the nature of the newly-conceived and ephemeral empire founded by Alexander after his conquest over the Persian empire. In order to start dealing with this, there’s a crucial element we have to consider: the diadem. This adornment with no apparent ornamental complexity had a remarkable symbolic importance, by the end of Alexander’s life it had become the identifying banner of his true power. By taking this into account, it becomes evident that understanding the diadem - its origins, portrayals and emulations - reveals itself as being central to elaborating more convincing answers about the new Alexandrine empire’s character. What’s intended here is to demonstrate that the adoption of the diadem constitutes itself as an evidence that, by conquering the Persian empire, Alexander showed no signs that he would be succeeding Dario as a new Persian king, nor did he continue the old Macedonian monarchical tradition or even that he was founding an essentially Greek empire. On the contrary, the adoption of this adornment as a typical banner of royalty goes to show that the general idea of the Alexandrine empire must be faced as an original experience which translated in royal representation its multicultural character.

Philippe II et les dieux

Macedonian kings kept close bonds with the divine sphere. They considered themselves as Heraklids (and, in consequence, they traced back their lineage to Zeus himself) and the kingship kept noteworthy religious functions. Philip II made wide use of this religious side and it became a key element of his public image and propaganda, both inside and outside the kingdom of Macedonia. It was especially important the relation Philip established with Panhellenic shrines, like Delphi and Olympia, in close connection with his aspiration for hegemony all over Greece. Philip also regarded his coinage as useful political tools and the religious motives engraved are very telling about the king's claims and objectives. Originally published in Ancient Macedonia / Archaia Makedonia VI (Papers Read at the Sixth International Symposium held in Thessaloniki by the Institute of Balkan Studies (Greece): Le Bohec 2002a. Published in Karanos by kind permission of the author and the Institute for Balkan Studies.

LOCALISATION OF THE FOUR ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT PARORBELIA, MENTIONED BY STRABO (BOOK 7. FR. 36), FOUNDED BY PHILIP II OF MACEDON IN THE 4TH CENTURY BC

: A fragment of the seventh book of Strabo’s work Geography contains too important information about the historical geography of the lands along the valley of the Strymon River. Among other information, reported by Strabo, this ancient author has also provided us with very valuable but extremely concise information about four ancient settlements located in the geographical area named Parorbelia. The four ancient settlements mentioned by Strabo in a series – Kallipolis, Orthopolis, Philippoupolis and Gareskos, located in the middle of the Parorbelia, in a valley that begins from the ancient settlement Eidomene, have provoked a number of scholarly debates. Many modern researchers have tried to search and suggest different possible locations for these four ancient settlements, but so far no reliable and lasting solution has been found on this issue due to the scarce information in the text of Strabo. The only point that all scholars agree is that this text of Strabo implicitly contains information about the colonisation activity of the Macedonian king Philip II around the middle of the 4th century BC, which is clearly suggested by the name of one of these settlements – Philippoupolis. Here, the author found the correct solution that in fact the Parorbelia area covered the lands both north and south of the ancient Mount Orbelos. The most plausible locations of the four ancient settlements mentioned by Strabo along with the ancient Mount Orbelos and the district Parorbelia are precisely found and presented on modern maps.

The Flying King: the novelistic Alexander (Pseudo-Callisthenes 2.41) and the traditions of the Ancient Orient

The story of Alexander’s flight is preserved in early Byzantine versions of the Alexander Romance (codex L, recensions λ and γ) but is already mentioned by Rabbi Jonah of Tiberias (4th century AD) in the Jerusalem Talmud. The narrative must have been created between the late Hellenistic period and the early Imperial age. Although there are differences in details, the main storyline is common in all versions. Alexander fabricates a basket or large bag, which hangs from a yoke and is lifted into the air by birds of prey; Alexander guides the birds upwards by baiting them with a piece of meat fixed on a long spear. The same story-pattern is found in oriental tales about the Iranian king Kai Kāūs and the Babylonian Nimrod. Kai Kāūs’ adventure was included in the Zoroastrian Avesta and must have been current in the Iranian mythical tradition during the first millennium BCE. It is then transmitted by Medieval Islamic authors (Ṭabarī, Bal‘amī, Firdausī, Tha‘ālibī, Dīnawarī), who ultimately depend on Sasanian historical compilations, in which the early mythology of Iran had been collected. The story of Kai Kāūs’ ascension is earlier than Pseudo-Callisthenes’ narrative and contains a clear indication of morphological priority: in some versions the Persian king flies while seated on his throne, which reflects a very ancient and widespread image of royal iconography in Iran and Assyria. Probably Alexander’s aerial journey was derived from an old oriental tradition of tales about flying kings, to which the stories of Kai Kāūs and Nimrod also belonged. The throne had to be eliminated from Alexander’s story, because the episode was set during Alexander’s wanderings at the extremities of the world. The Macedonian king had therefore to fabricate his flying vehicle from readily available materials. Later, after the diffusion of Pseudo-Callisthenes’ romance in the Orient, the tale of Alexander’s ascension might have exercised secondary influence on some versions of the stories of Kai Kāūs and Nimrod, regarding specific details such as the use of the bait.

LETTERS FROM ANASTASIA MANTSEVYCH TO MARIA VIAZMITINA

The paper gives the review of epistolary materials for the biography of two archaeologists — Dr. Anastasia Mantsevych from Leningrad (1899—1982) and Dr. Maria Viazmitina from Kyiv (1896—1994). The documents are retained in Maria Viazmitina’s personal fund (N 34) in the Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology of NASU.
 Among 126 letters from A. Mantsevych to M. Viazmitina 43 are selected for fragmentary publishing. These letters show us the personality of Anastasiia Mantsevych during the time period from 1952 to 1982. Letters demonstrate what thoughts, ideas and reflections stayed behind her published papers, behind her confidence at the scientific conferences during public polemics. Letters discover a strong individual and a sensitive human being at the same time, making essential addition to her scientific portrait.
 Through the letters the article also gives a review of scientific life in the State Hermitage Museum (Leningrad) and in the Institute of Archaeology (Kyiv). Correspondents point and discuss the significant museum exhibitions and sensational archaeological discoveries, share their plans about visiting main scientific conferences and congresses. Among the discussed topics are «Treasures of Tutankhamun tomb» in Leningrad (1974) and in Kyiv (1975); exhibition exchange between British Museum and State Hermitage in 1979 («The Siberian Collection of Peter I» and «The Oxus treasure»); Dr. Yuri Boltryk’s excavations of Oguz tomb in 1980, Borys Mozolevski’s and Halyna Kovpanenko’s findings of that period, Oleksandr Leskov’s findings in the tombs of the North Caucasus. There are also reflections about Professor Manolis Andronikos’ findings — the tomb of Macedonian kings near Vergina settlement in Northern Greece and Viktor Sarianidi’s findings of «Bactrian Gold» in Afghanistan.

A Letter from Philip V to the Athenians of Hephaestia (Lemnos)

The epigraphic document on which this paper is focused is a letter of the Macedonian king Philip V to the boule and the demos of the Athenians of Hephaestia, on the island of Lemnos, which was found in 1938 in the area of the late Roman Telesterion of the sanctuary of the Kabeiroi. A new edition of the inscription is here offered, along with a detailed epigraphic, historical and linguistic commentary. The text is not entirely preserved, and some points of it are quite difficult to interpret. However, the document is extremely interesting, less for its possible connection with specific events than for the information it provides on several historical issues of a more general kind: the relationship between the Antigonid kings and Lemnos; the inner organisation and institutions of the community of the Athenians on the island; Philip V’s ‘religious policy’ as described by the king himself and by literary sources, and so on.

Una lettera di Filippo V agli Ateniesi di Efestia (Lemno)

The epigraphic document on which this paper is focused is a letter of the Macedonian king Philip V to the boule and the demos of the Athenians of Hephaestia, on the island of Lemnos, which was found in 1938 in the area of the late Roman Telesterion of the sanctuary of the Kabeiroi. A new edition of the inscription is here offered, along with a detailed epigraphic, historical and linguistic commentary. The text is not entirely preserved, and some points of it are quite difficult to interpret. However, the document is extremely interesting, less for its possible connection with specific events than for the information it provides on several historical issues of a more general kind: the relationship between the Antigonid kings and Lemnos; the inner organisation and institutions of the community of the Athenians on the island; Philip V’s ‘religious policy’ as described by the king himself and by literary sources, and so on.

A PERSIAN MARRIAGE FEAST IN MACEDON? (HERODOTUS 5.17–21)

Herodotus’ fateful tale of the seven Persian emissaries sent to seek Earth and Water from the Macedonian king Amyntes has been the subject of increasingly rich discussion in recent years. Generations of commentators have cumulatively revealed the ironies of Herodotus’ account: its repeated hints, for example, of the Persians’ eventual end; and, crowning all other ironies, the story's ending: that, after resisting the indignity of his female relatives being molested at a banquet, and disposing of all trace of the Persian ambassadors and their party, Alexander of Macedon then arranges his sister's marriage to the leader of the search party sent to investigate his disappeared compatriots (Hdt. 5.21.2). More recent readings have gone further in uncovering the mythological archetypes for thelogos, or in tracing its exploration of a number of themes: revenge, guest-friendship, the equation of sexual and military conquest, or the ‘explosion of violence resulting from the contact of two different cultures’. Most fruitful perhaps have been those readings that have seen thelogosno longer as a detached ‘short story’ but in its wider context in theHistories: David Fearn, for example, has stressed the need to understand the presentation of Alexander I in the light of what the reader knows of his subsequent history.

Alexander, the King in Shining Armor

This paper deals with an aspect of Alexander the Great's representation that had not been systematically studied by the modern scholars as yet, the refulgent panoply of the Macedonian king in combat. The author collects the passages where this motif appears, examines the sources and presents some parallels in the Greek literary and iconographic tradition.

Honorary Athenian Decree for Tenedos

The honorary decree for Tenedos attests the importance of the small island in the context of the Second Athenian League, immediately after the failed siege to Byzantium by Philip II. The military operation of the Macedonian king could have endangered the Athenian control of Bosporus, but also the autonomy of the allied Tenedos, so that the island may have been interested to pay contributions in order to receive Athens’ protection and, at the same time, Athens itself may have appreciated the help of Tenedos in a difficult moment for the League. Even if the decree has gaps and it is difficult to determine the amount of the Athenian compensation, nevertheless it has an important historical value, since it is the last official document about the relations between Athens and the allies of the Second Athenian League

Honorary Athenian Decree for Tenedos

The honorary decree for Tenedos attests the importance of the small island in the context of the Second Athenian League, immediately after the failed siege to Byzantium by Philip II. The military operation of the Macedonian king could have endangered the Athenian control of Bosporus, but also the autonomy of the allied Tenedos, so that the island may have been interested to pay contributions in order to receive Athens’ protection and, at the same time, Athens itself may have appreciated the help of Tenedos in a difficult moment for the League. Even if the decree has gaps and it is difficult to determine the amount of the Athenian compensation, nevertheless it has an important historical value, since it is the last official document about the relations between Athens and the allies of the Second Athenian League

The Scythian Campaign of Philip II: A Problem of Reconstruction and Localisation

The article considers the campaign of the Macedonian King Philip II against the Scythians in 339 B.C. The principal objectives of this study were to determine the plans of King Philip II and the balance of the forces of the opposing parties. The study also analysed the course of the military operations and the results of the campaign. The study uses a multifaceted approach to probe the ancient narrative sources. It also makes a content analysis of the data, retrieved from various national scientific schools. The analyses reveal that Philip conducted a military campaign against Ateas with the help of small expeditionary forces that moved from Byzantion to the mouth of the River Istros (Danube). Philip's enemy Ateas was a ruler of a small Scythian kingdom in Dobrudzha. The primary goals of the Macedonian king's campaign were to capture booty and help the local allies. A desire to morally compensate for the unsuccessful completion of the sieges of Perinthos and Byzantion was the central motive of the campaign. The result of the war was determined in a single pitched battle. Despite the defeat of the Scythians in Dobrudzha, Philip could not deliver the captured booty to Macedonia because of the limited forces. The Triballoi captured this booty, and this devalued the success of the whole Scythian campaign.

When Did Pompey the Great Engage in his imitatio Alexandri?

The aim of this article is to revisit the issue of Pompey the Great’s imitatio Alexandri, especially the timetable for its beginnings and development. Previous studies of the subject have indicated that either the Roman general was involved in imitating the Macedonian king since his youth, or he did not do so at all. Meanwhile, this article presents evidence indicating that the most likely scenario implies that the image of Pompey as the Roman Alexander was created during his eastern campaign against Mithridates. Moreover, it was probably Theophanes of Mytilene, Pompey’s friend and trusted advisor, who developed this theme. Additionally, there is evidence indicating that Pompey tried to limit the use of imitatio Alexandri primarily to the eastern parts of the Roman Empire, fearing that an ambiguous perception of Alexander in Rome would harm his image.

Facing the Challenges of Reconstructing Ancient Buildings

Facing the Challenges of Reconstructing Ancient Buildings

Philip V of Macedon, ‘Erōmenos of the Greeks’: A Note and Reassessment

Polybios’ famous description of Philip V of Macedon as “the darling of the Greeks” (ἐρώμeνος … τῶν Ἑλλήνων) comes about at a critical moment in the historian’s narrative of the king’s life: it appears at the end of a summary extolling all of the good characteristics and deeds Philip exhibited and achieved in his early years, when he had inspired great hopes of future magnanimity amongst his Greek allies (4.27.9, 77; 7.11); and just before the king takes a sudden turn for the worse in 215 BC, when he incites revolution in the allied city of Messene and attempts to impose a Macedonian garrison on its citadel. This article sets out to break new ground not only in the study of the Macedonian king, but also in the study of the literary aspects of Polybios’ work, by exploring this statement in more depth and arguing that it retained its significance beyond the structural demarcation of Philip’s change. The imagery that such a title inherently possessed and conveyed helped to define and deepen understanding of the relationship between Philip and his Greek allies in his early years by evoking implicit connotations within the audience.