The Macedonians

Who were the Macedonians?Surprisingly, angry debate on this question today

Modern-day Greeks claim ancient Macedonia was a part of “Greece”

Modern-day Macedonians claim it has always been independent

MacedoniaA kingdom to the north of the ancient Greek city-states

Mountainous, forested region

Spoke a dialect of the Greek language

Somewhat influenced by Greek culture◦ Upper class worshipped Greek gods, told Greek

stories, and participated in the Olympic Games

Still, the Athenians referred the Macedonians as barbarians (non-Greeks)

Ancient Athenian Quote about the Macedonians“Yet they have no such qualms about Philip and his present conduct, though he is not only no Greek, nor related to the Greeks, but not even a barbarian from any place that can be named with honor, but a pestilent knave from Macedonia, whence it was never yet possible to buy a decent slave.”

Demosthenes, Third Philippic

Other ancient Greeks viewed the Macedonians as primitive and untrustworthy

The kingdom of Macedonia had supported the Persians during the Persian Wars

Switched sides frequently during the Peloponnesian Wars

Macedonian PoliticsMacedonia was controlled by warrior nobles

Lived much like the heroes of the Iliad—life focused on battle

Kings traditionally only had loose control over the nobles

Constant plotting and assassinations in the Macedonian royal family

Philip II, who would become king, had to compete against many brothers and half-brothers for the throne

PhilipYounger brother of king of Macedonia

Sent at the age of 15 to live in Thebes, an ally

Carefully studied Theban military tactics and the politics of the Greek city-states

Back to Macedonia—became a governor and began to reorganize army

Became king when brother killed in battle

King Philip IIExtremely capable ruler and general

Defeated foreign nations and rivals for the throne

Military Organization◦ Developed a strong infantry

◦ Used in combination with cavalry

◦ Discipline and drilling

Combination of war and diplomacy—expanded Macedonia

Macedonian Phalanx

Weird Modern Reconstruction of Philip’s Face

AlexanderSon of Philip and Olympias, Philip’s wife from Epirus (modern-day Albania)

◦ Raised in atmosphere of treachery and plotting

Trained always to strive for arete (excellence)◦ “Strive to be best, and outstanding above all

others”

Idolized the heroes of the Iliad

Tutored by Aristotle◦ Aristotle believed that Greeks were naturally

superior—meant to conquer and rule over barbarians (all non-Greeks)

“His passion was for glory only, and in that he was insatiable.”

◦ Arrian