Antigonus III Doson
Antigonus III | |
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King of Macedon | |
Reign | 229 - 221 BC |
Predecessor | Demetrius II Aetolicus |
Successor | Philip V |
Born | 263 BC |
Died | 221 BC |
Dynasty | Antigonid dynasty |
Father | Demetrius the Fair |
Mother | Olympias |
Antigonus III Doson (
Family background
Antigonus III Doson was a half-cousin of his predecessor,
Doson's father, Demetrius the Fair, died sometime around 250 BC, as a result of events that occurred after being summoned from Macedonia to
Antigonus' by-name, Doson, is Greek for "going to give." The meaning of this is uncertain. According to Plutarch it "implied that he was given to promising but did not perform his engagements",[8] though even the exact meaning of this is unclear.
Regent of Macedonia
When Demetrius II died in battle in 229 BC, his son and would-be successor, the later
King of Macedonia
As king, Antigonus III proved to be as much a master of tactical diplomacy as of military strategy. In less than a decade of rule he not only secured the borders of his kingdom, but he also re-established Macedon as the dominant power in the region. Unlike previous Macedonian rulers who attempted direct dominion over their fiercely independent neighbours to the West and South, he formed alliances with Epirus and the Achaean League. When Sparta, under Cleomenes III, attempted to establish hegemony over the whole Peloponnese, Aratus of Sicyon - longtime leader of Greek opposition to Macedonian domination - invited Antigonus to intervene (226 BC). Establishing his base on the heights above Corinth, Antigonus reconstituted a broad-based Hellenic league (224 BC) under his leadership before launching his attack on Sparta. The Spartan forces, outmatched by the larger, better equipped Macedonian army, were so overwhelmed in the Battle of Sellasia (222 BC) that Cleomenes only managed to escape with a few horsemen, and ultimately had to seek refuge in Egypt.[14] However, in a magnanimous gesture, Antigonus restrained his soldiers from plundering Sparta, saying it was Cleomenes, not Sparta, that was his enemy.[15]
Antigonus did not long survive this victory. For, while his forces were campaigning in the southern Peloponnese, Illyrians invaded Macedonia from the north. Antigonus had to rush north to repel this new threat. On his way, Antigonus passed through Tegea and Argos, his arrival at the latter coinciding with the beginning of the Nemean Games, where he was honoured by the Achaean League and various other cities.[16] His death occurred soon after, when he returned to Macedon and engaged the Illyrian army; for though Macedonian forces were once again victorious, the commander became sick during the battle (possibly though not necessarily as a result of a ruptured blood vessel) and died.[17]
Ancestry
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References
- ^ Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 40.54, note 1
- ^ Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 40.54
- ^ Plutarch, Life of Demetrius, 46.3, 53.4
- ^ Eusebius, Chronicle, 243
- ^ Livy xl. 54
- ^ Livy xl. 58
- ^ Dodson, Aidan & Hilton, Dyan, The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt (2010), p. 279
- ^ Plutarch, Life of Aemilius Paullus 8.3
- ^ Plutarch, Life of Aemilius Paullus 8.3
- ^ Plutarch, Life of Aemilius Paullus 8.3
- ^ Eusebius, Chronicle 1.237-8; also Syncellus Chronicle 535.19
- ^ Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus 28.3
- ^ Plutarch, Life of Aemilius Paullus 8.3
- ^ Polybius, Histories 2.69.10
- ^ Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus 28.4
- ^ Polybius, Histories 2.70.4
- ^ Polybius, Histories 2.70.6
External links
- Antigonus III Doson entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith