Editing Macedonia (ancient kingdom) (section)

===Involvement in the Classical Greek world===
{{further|Delian League|Spartan hegemony|Theban hegemony}}
[[File:Map Peloponnesian War 431 BC-en.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|Macedon (orange) during the [[Peloponnesian War]] around 431{{nbsp}}BC, with [[Classical Athens|Athens]] and the [[Delian League]] (yellow), [[Sparta]] and [[Peloponnesian League]] (red), independent states (blue), and the Persian [[Achaemenid Empire]] (purple)]]
Although initially a Persian vassal, Alexander{{nbsp}}I of Macedon fostered friendly diplomatic relations with his former Greek enemies, the Athenian and [[Sparta]]n-led coalition of Greek city-states.<ref>{{harvnb|Sprawski|2010|pp=141–143}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=9, 11–12}}.</ref> His successor [[Perdiccas II of Macedon|Perdiccas{{nbsp}}II]] ({{reign|454|413|era=BC}}) led the Macedonians to war in four separate conflicts against Athens, leader of the [[Delian League]], while incursions by the Thracian ruler [[Sitalces]] of the [[Odrysian kingdom]] threatened Macedonia's [[territorial integrity]] in the northeast.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=145–147}}.</ref> The Athenian statesman [[Pericles]] promoted colonization of the [[Strymon River]] near the Kingdom of Macedonia, where the colonial city of [[Amphipolis]] was founded in 437/436{{nbsp}}BC so that it could provide Athens with a steady supply of silver and gold as well as [[timber]] and [[Pitch (resin)|pitch]] to support the [[Athenian navy]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=146–147}}; {{harvnb|Müller|2010|p=171}}; {{harvnb|Cawkwell|1978|p=72}}; see also {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=13–14}} for further details.</ref> Initially Perdiccas II did not take any action and might have even welcomed the Athenians, as the Thracians were foes to both of them.<ref name="roisman 2010 146 147"/> This changed due to an Athenian alliance with a brother and cousin of Perdiccas{{nbsp}}II who had rebelled against him.<ref name="roisman 2010 146 147">{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=146–147}}.</ref> Thus, two separate wars were fought against Athens between 433 and 431{{nbsp}}BC.<ref name="roisman 2010 146 147"/> The Macedonian king retaliated by promoting the rebellion of Athens' allies in [[Chalcidice]] and subsequently won over the strategic city of [[Potidaea]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=146–147}}; see also {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=18}} for further details.</ref> After capturing the Macedonian cities [[Therma]] and [[Veria|Beroea]], Athens besieged Potidaea but failed to overcome it; Therma was returned to Macedonia and much of Chalcidice to Athens in a [[peace treaty]] brokered by Sitalces, who provided Athens with military aid in exchange for acquiring new Thracian allies.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=147–148}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=19–20}}.</ref>

Perdiccas{{nbsp}}II sided [[Peloponnesian League|with Sparta]] in the [[Peloponnesian War]] (431–404 BC) between Athens and Sparta, and in 429 BC Athens retaliated by persuading Sitalces to invade Macedonia, but he was forced to retreat owing to a shortage of provisions in winter.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=149–150}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=20}}.</ref> In 424 BC, [[Arrhabaeus]]<!-- This is intentionally linked to a disambiguation page, at least until an article is made about this individual. -->, a local ruler of [[Lynkestis]] in Upper Macedonia, rebelled against his [[suzerain|overlord]] Perdiccas, and the Spartans agreed to help in putting down the revolt.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=150–152}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=21–22}}.</ref> At the [[Battle of Lyncestis]] the Macedonians panicked and fled before the fighting began, enraging the Spartan general [[Brasidas]], whose soldiers looted the unattended Macedonian [[baggage train]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=152}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=22}}.</ref> Perdiccas then changed sides and supported Athens, and he was able to put down Arrhabaeus's revolt.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=152–153}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=22–23}}.</ref>

[[File:Didrachm of Archelaos I King of Macedonia.jpg|thumb|left|A Macedonian [[didrachm]] minted during the reign of [[Archelaus I of Macedon]] ({{reign|413|399|era=BC}})]]
Brasidas died in 422 BC, the year Athens and Sparta struck an accord, the [[Peace of Nicias]], that freed Macedonia from its obligations as an Athenian ally.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=153}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=22–23}}.</ref> Following the 418{{nbsp}}BC [[Battle of Mantinea (418 BC)|Battle of Mantinea]], the victorious Spartans formed an alliance with [[History of Argos|Argos]], a military pact Perdiccas{{nbsp}}II was keen to join given the threat of Spartan allies remaining in Chalcidice.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=153–154}}; see also {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=23}} for further details.</ref> When Argos suddenly switched sides as a pro-Athenian [[democracy]], the Athenian navy was able to form a [[blockade]] against Macedonian [[seaport]]s and invade Chalcidice in 417{{nbsp}}BC.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=154}}; see also {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=23}} for further details.</ref> Perdiccas{{nbsp}}II sued for peace in 414{{nbsp}}BC, forming an alliance with Athens that was continued by his son and successor [[Archelaus I of Macedon|Archelaus{{nbsp}}I]] ({{reign|413|399|era=BC}}).<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=154}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=23–24}}.</ref> Athens then provided naval support to Archelaus{{nbsp}}I in the 410{{nbsp}}BC Macedonian siege of [[Pydna]], in exchange for timber and naval equipment.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=154–155}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=24}}.</ref>

Although Archelaus I was faced with some internal revolts and had to fend off an invasion of Illyrians led by [[Sirras]] of Lynkestis, he was able to project Macedonian power into Thessaly where he sent military aid to his allies.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=155–156}}.</ref> Although he retained Aigai as a ceremonial and religious center, Archelaus{{nbsp}}I moved the [[capital city|capital]] of the kingdom north to [[Pella]], which was then positioned by a lake with a river connecting it to the [[Aegean Sea]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=156}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=26}}.</ref> He improved Macedonia's [[currency]] by minting [[coin]]s with a [[Silver coin|higher silver content]] as well as issuing separate [[Coinage metals|copper coinage]].<ref name="Roisman 2010 156 157">{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=156–157}}.</ref> His royal court attracted the presence of well-known intellectuals such as the Athenian [[playwright]] [[Euripides]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=156–157}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=26}}.</ref> When Archelaus{{nbsp}}I was assassinated (perhaps following a [[Homosexuality in ancient Greece|homosexual]] love affair with [[royal page]]s at his court), the kingdom was plunged into chaos, in an era lasting from 399 to 393{{nbsp}}BC that included the reign of four different monarchs: [[Orestes of Macedon|Orestes]], son of Archelaus{{nbsp}}I; [[Aeropus II of Macedon|Aeropus{{nbsp}}II]], uncle, [[regent]], and murderer of Orestes; [[Pausanias of Macedon|Pausanias]], son of Aeropus{{nbsp}}II; and [[Amyntas II of Macedon|Amyntas{{nbsp}}II]], who was married to the youngest daughter of Archelaus{{nbsp}}I.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=157–158}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=28–29}}.</ref> Very little is known about this turbulent period; it came to an end when [[Amyntas III of Macedon|Amyntas{{nbsp}}III]] ({{reign|393|370|era=BC}}), son of Arrhidaeus and grandson of Amyntas{{nbsp}}I, killed Pausanias and claimed the Macedonian throne.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=158}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=28–29}}.</ref>

[[File:Coin of Amyntas III-161113.jpg|thumb|A silver ''[[stater]]'' of [[Amyntas III of Macedon]] ({{reign|393|370|era=BC}})]]
Amyntas III was forced to flee his kingdom in either 393 or 383{{nbsp}}BC (based on conflicting accounts), owing to a massive invasion by the [[Illyrians]] led by [[Bardylis]].<ref group="note">{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=158–159}}; see also {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=30}} for further details; the Greek historian [[Diodorus Siculus]] provided a seemingly conflicting account about Illyrian invasions occurring in 393{{nbsp}}BC and 383{{nbsp}}BC, which may have been representative of a single invasion led by the Illyrian king [[Bardylis]].</ref> The [[pretender]] to the throne [[Argaeus II of Macedon|Argaeus]] ruled in his absence, yet Amyntas{{nbsp}}III eventually returned to his kingdom with the aid of Thessalian allies.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=159}}; see also {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=30}} for further details.</ref> Amyntas{{nbsp}}III was also nearly overthrown by the forces of the Chalcidian city of [[Olynthos]], but with the aid of [[Teleutias]], brother of the Spartan king [[Agesilaus II]], the Macedonians forced Olynthos to surrender and dissolve their [[Chalcidian League]] in 379{{nbsp}}BC.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=159–160}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=32–33}}.</ref>

[[Alexander II of Macedon|Alexander II]] ({{reign|370|368|era=BC}}), son of [[Eurydice I of Macedon|Eurydice{{nbsp}}I]] and Amyntas{{nbsp}}III, succeeded his father and immediately invaded Thessaly to wage war against the ''[[Tagus (title)|tagus]]'' (supreme Thessalian military leader) [[Alexander of Pherae]], capturing the city of [[Larissa]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|p=161}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=34–35}}.</ref> The Thessalians, desiring to remove both Alexander{{nbsp}}II and Alexander of Pherae as their [[overlord]]s, appealed to [[Pelopidas]] of [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]] for aid; he succeeded in recapturing Larissa and, in the peace agreement arranged with Macedonia, received aristocratic [[hostage]]s including Alexander{{nbsp}}II's brother and future king [[Philip II of Macedon|Philip{{nbsp}}II]] ({{reign|359|336|era=BC}}).<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=161–162}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|pp=35–36}}.</ref> When Alexander was assassinated by his brother-in-law [[Ptolemy of Aloros]], the latter acted as an overbearing regent for [[Perdiccas III of Macedon|Perdiccas{{nbsp}}III]] ({{reign|368|359|era=BC}}), younger brother of Alexander{{nbsp}}II, who eventually had Ptolemy executed when reaching the [[age of majority]] in 365{{nbsp}}BC.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=162–163}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=36}}.</ref> The remainder of Perdiccas III's reign was marked by political stability and financial recovery.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=162–163}}.</ref> However, an Athenian invasion led by [[Timotheus (general)|Timotheus]], son of [[Conon]], managed to capture [[Methoni, Pieria|Methone]] and Pydna, and an Illyrian invasion led by Bardylis succeeded in killing Perdiccas{{nbsp}}III and 4,000 Macedonian troops in battle.<ref>{{harvnb|Roisman|2010|pp=163–164}}; {{harvnb|Errington|1990|p=37}}.</ref>