Studies in the development of royal authority in Argead Macedonia

This dissertation examines the elements which defined Argead kingship from the mid-seventh until the late fourth centuries B.C. It begins by reviewing the Argead king list where it is argued that the official reckoning of the dynasty's past was exploited in order to secure the throne against rivals, including those who were Argeads. Chapter Two analyzes the principles of Argead succession and concludes that the current theories on the subject are unsatisfactory in face of the evidence. Rather, the sources suggest that Argead succession was a function of status where many ingredients were considered before a candidate legitimately assumed the throne. Among the factors influencing the selection were, the status of a potential heir's mother, age, competence, order of birth, and in lieu of father to son succession, relation to the late monarch. Chapter Three outlines the development of the king's military, judicial, economic, and social responsibilities from the personal monarchy of the early period to the increasingly centralized realm of the fourth century. Chapter Four concentrates on the religious aspects of Argead kingship, reviewing the monarch's religious duties· and interpreting a widespread foundation myth as an attempt to distinguish Argead status by its divine origin and its specific cult responsibilities. It is concluded that religious factors played an essential role in the justification of Argead power. The last chapter focuses on Macedonian reaction to Argead authority, especially after Alexander the Great's death. Here it is argued that the Macedonians maintained a consistent loyalty for the ruling family because" of its ancient heritage of royal status, because of the prestige it had accumulated under Philip II and Alexander III, and because there was no recognized method by which the Argeads could be replaced in their duties. Finally, a combination of incompetent kings, feuding factions, and the size of Alexander's empire forced the Macedonians to redefine the political structures under which they lived. In addition to the body of this dissertation there are two appendices: one on Arrhidaues (Philip III) until his accession, and the other on the major source problems which confront a study of this type.

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