Philip and Olympias: A Novel of Ancient Macedon

by Peter Messmore

  When Argaeus was informed by his Athenian sponsors that their 3,000 hoplites and financial support were being withdrawn, he panicked. Left only with paid mercenaries, he began a hurried march to the old Macedonian capital at Aigai. The terrified pretender expected that he could rally support from dissident farmers and barons whose land had been seized by the new king. The usurper was even more panicked when no support developed. He retreated along the road to Methone with his mercenaries, only to be intercepted by Philip at the head of his newest foot companions. The last pretender to the Macedonian throne was captured and decapitated. Philip ordered that Argaeus's torso be taken to his home village and chained to flat rocks above the town. His head was carried in a basket to Pella, where it was mounted on a tall pole beside the army drill field. It stayed there until crows stripped it. It was then removed and sent by special messenger to Pausanius, the other pretender, waiting in Lyncestis.

  Philip was careful to release the few Athenian mercenaries that had accompanied Argaeus on his ill-advised attempt to seize his throne. They were treated with respect, paid their full wages promised by a man who no longer had a head, and sent back to Attica. A special royal envoy accompanied the mercenaries with an offer for Athens to reestablish an embassy in Pella. The time had not yet come to confront them.

  News of these events swept the royal court and eventually spread to every Macedonian province. Philip was determined that any challenge to his authority must come from external and not internal sources. The king commissioned balladeers to compose songs about the usurper who would be king. Cruel tales of Argaeus' head grew as the new king prepared to take the offensive against his external enemies.

  Two days after Philip learned of the death of the King Agis of the Paeonians, he called up the full strength of his army. It numbered nearly 8,000 men and 600 royal companion cavalry. They made their way north in a rapid forced march. Now was the time to strike Macedon's northern enemies before their new king could consolidate his power. He had waited months to use some of Epaminondas's tactics and new battlefield movements that he had devised. For the first time in history, these Theban-Macedonian tactics came together. The Macedonians met the Paeonians on a flat broad plain between two majestic mountains and the battle was decided before midday. Philip captured the new Paeonian king and forced him to acknowledge Macedonian domination of his country. Many prisoners were taken. They were given the choice of either joining the Macedonian army or being taken back to Pella and sold as slaves. In this way, Philip began to increase the size of his developing army.

  After surveying the carnage of the battlefield, the king called a staff meeting with his two commanders. They met at the top of a small hill overlooking the battlefield.

  "You've led us to a great victory, Philip," Parmenio said. "This is just the beginning. When we return to Pella, the people will give you a great celebration. I've already sent riders to announce our victory."

  "Your tactics with the foot companions were brilliant," said Attalus, the commander of the royal cavalry companions. "It allowed us to win the battle soon after engagement. Every cavalryman speaks your name and they want you to ride at their head when we enter Pella."

  Philip, as was his habit, forced silence and turned his back to his generals. At length, he surveyed the battlefield, and then turned to face his commanders. "Some things went well here, but many didn't. I know what must be changed before we fight again. Even I made command mistakes. These Paeonians were a primitive group, without effective leadership. Our next battle won’t be so easy. We're not returning to Pella, Parmenio. Recall the riders. I've decided to attack the Illyrians. Our move into Pelagonia starts tomorrow. When we cross the river Erigon, we'll rest there, The two of you should begin the integration of the Paeonian army volunteers into our infantry ranks, I'll begin correcting the mistakes we made today."

  Parmenio and Attalus were surprised but not disappointed with their monarch's announcement. Philip was right. It was best to continue the victorious momentum of their fledgling army before the soldiers understood the odds against them. Both knew that if Bardylis had done what their king now commanded, they would be dead and the Illyrians would soon occupy Pella.

  Parmenio spoke first, displaying a broad smile. "It makes sense, Philip. I advise that we not tell the men of our intentions until we make the final thrust against the enemy. By that time, we will have improved our tactics and they'll be ready."

  "I agree," Philip answered. "Parmenio, I expect help from your family during our time in Pelagonia. Tell them we’ll need food stores. I also want trustworthy scouts and guides. They know the territory we’re about to enter. Begin working on that."

  "It will be done," Parmenio replied. "I'll contact them today."

  "Attalus, the cavalry needs more drill. Their charge worked, but it was slow and predictable. I want their moves automatic. See to it."

  "I saw the same thing," Attalus answered. "You'll see a different charge when we meet the Illyrians. How long do you think we'll be in Pelagonia before we fight?"

  "There's no way of knowing that," Philip said. "It will be decided by the Illyrians as much as by us. When we cross the Erigon, their agents will inform Bardylis. Events will then be in command. Return to your men and get drunk. You all deserve it. I need some time alone. I'll join you later."

  The two generals departed. Philip seated himself on a small wooden field stool and watched them walk down the hill. It was nearing the end of a lovely day. The sky had been a medium blue and there was a cool breeze blowing. Soon, it would be dark. It was the kind of conditions that allowed Philip to think at his best. He was pleased with himself and his army, but a stern scowl etched itself across his square face. The decision to proceed against the Illyrians was fraught with danger. Engaging in a mental exercise that the Pythagoreans had taught him, he assessed his decision.

  The commands that he had given Parmenio and Attalus were the best course of action, he finally resolved. In the gathering darkness he got on his knees and made supplication to the gods of Olympus that they support Macedon during the dangerous days and weeks ahead.

  The Macedonian army crossed the Erigon and made encampment on an expansive plain. Immediate training commenced, and in days the Paeonian volunteers had been woven into the ranks of the foot companions. Philip taught the commanders how to move the advancing phalanx with only hand signals. He watched from a hill as the massed hoplites advanced, retreated and obliquely moved left or right at his hand command. He looked down proudly on thousands of his soldiers as they moved the positions of their sarissas. They could move the long spear from the straight-ahead position to the vertical and back to the forward position in a smooth, ominous movement. He smiled as he imagined how fearsome this maneuver would look to an enemy.

  These drills were incessant, often lasting from sunrise to sunset. He intended to make the preparation for war more fatiguing than the battle itself, for battles never lasted all day. When the fighting came, men only had to do their job and worry about staying alive.

  After five days’ encampment, he received an emissary from King Bardylis. He informed Philip that the Illyrian king had noted the Macedonians crossing the Erigon and was alarmed. Bardylis had also heard of the great Macedonian victory against the Paeonians and was offering peace between the two potential combatants. He didn't express any willingness to return captured Macedonian lands or end the exorbitant tributes that Philip had been paying.

  The king of Macedon rejected the offer and told the emissary that Bardylis should prepare for battle.

  It took weeks of enemy seeking and tactical posturing, but finally the two armies met near Lake Ochrid, in the western Lyncestis province. According to plan, Philip led the foot companions in an oblique attack against the Illyrian line. The Macedonian center and left held in place while the king and his forces on the right slowly advanced. Bardylis saw what appeared to be an advantage on his right and rushed around it to encircle the apparently collapsing Macedonian left and center. I
nevitably, as Philip had practiced in countless drills of this maneuver, this produced thinness on the Illyrian left. The Macedonian cavalry swept toward the weakness, creating a gap. Then Philip, in a chaotic bloody charge, followed the cavalry with the phalanx.

  When the carnage was over, Bardylis had lost 7,000 men, practically his entire army. The remainder either surrendered to Philip, fled into the surrounding mountains, or retreated to their homeland. Philip forced Bardylis to return all captured Macedonian lands that had been taken over generations of aggressive incursions into the western provinces. Ended too were the tribute payments that had so hindered decades of Macedonian economic growth.

  Philip established a new city, Heraclea Lyncestis, to commemorate his great victory over Bardylis. Over a thousand soldiers and a special group of political administrators were left in scattered forts that he established along the western frontier between Lyncestis and Illyria. The administrators were charged with moving groups of mountain tribes into the broad farming villages of lower Macedonia. In doing this, Philip started a social movement that would eventually unify the ancient groups that had made Macedonia two countries in one.

  The king then led the main army back to Pella. Word of his great victory over Macedon's ancient enemy preceded the returning army. Everywhere along the road home, farmers and nobles alike hailed their new king. Pleased with himself and his impressive army, Philip told Parmenio that he could ride ahead and make plans for his triumphant entry into Pella. To everyone around him, the king's outward demeanor changed for the better as he and his men made their way down from the mountains, toward a no-longer-threatened lower Macedonian plain.

  CHAPTER 8

  Pella gave the victorious king a rousing celebration. Theatrical events, sports competitions, and oratory contests were presented throughout the city. Displays of Macedonian silverware covered tables in the pebble mosaic courtyards of Pella's agora. The people were joyous and festive. These events had been organized by Parmenio, working through a sports and cultural council that the king's dead brother had established.

  King Philip attended many of the events, but he enjoyed most the fawning adoration he received from common Pella people. He entered one event, the wrestling competition, and won handily. As he received a beautiful crown of golden oak leaves, he wondered if it was really his wrestling skills that had defeated all opponents. Had they let him win just because he was king? He dismissed the thoughts, telling himself that it was a pleasant problem of monarchy. Formerly vacillating nobles and chieftains—indecisive about joining Philip—now praised him publicly. They brought gifts and extolled his great victory over Bardylis. The young king was told that he was the answer to their prayers and that Macedon stood on the brink of unified nationhood. As the victory celebration neared its end, the king called Parmenio, Attalus, and Antipater to a chamber near the throne room. It was time for other challenges.

  "We've gained temporary peace within our borders," Philip began. "Every Macedonian knows it won't last. Before long, we'll have to show our power. New battles are inevitable. But I made important political contacts last week and I may be taking new concubines to seal new territorial agreements. These near-marriages are cheaper and less time consuming than fighting. My kingship will grow by whatever means necessary. I'll decree today that there will be two types of royal consorts in Macedon. Women who I take to avoid war, or as part of getting new territory, will be concubines. Offspring of these women will never be recognized as my legitimate successors. They'll have a place in the palace, but no male child of theirs must ever be allowed to sit on the throne of Macedon. Only a woman of great appeal will have the honor of being called my queen. This decree would still be necessary even if Eurydice were not pregnant and gravely ill."

  The generals were not surprised with their king's pronouncement about concubines and royal marriages. It was common practice in the ancient world. Two of them had similar arrangements. But Philip was moving quickly in these affairs of the heart. Parmenio, for one, knew that royal liaisons and resultant offspring could cause problems long into the future. But neither he nor the other generals said anything; their king was exerting his will.

  "I've also been asked to intervene in Pherai after the assassination of the tyrant, Jason, there. I'll leave soon for Thessaly with the royal companions and Attalus. Parmenio, you and Antipater stay here and continue training the army. We must always learn from our last battle and correct errors before the soldiers forget their mistakes. When I return, I'll assess the army's preparedness.”

  “Parmenio, not only must you correct the mistakes we made at Lake Ochrid, but I want a new unit added. I want a siege corps. It must be highly trained and ready to topple the greatest walls. We'll march into Thrace soon to begin the siege of Amphipolis. Those great walls won't fall easily. Athens tried for ten years. We'll first surround the city and cut it off. Then our sappers will begin weakening the walls."

  All but Parmenio were surprised that Philip would launch such an perilous move so soon after their Ochrid victory. But they had not yet learned the king's strategy. Parmenio often felt he knew it before Philip did.

  The king continued. "I want the best siege engineers in Hellas. Most of Macedon's battles have been defensive. That is in the past. But none of us know what we're doing in siege warfare. Soon, I'm going on the offensive. We're going to learn quickly. When the corps is ready, I'll lead it to that abandoned fortress in Potiad to test its effectiveness. Don't disappoint me."

  Antipater interjected, "Isn’t this too quick? Shouldn't we consolidate our position first? What about Athens? Do you imagine that she'll sit idly by and allow us to take Amphipolis? It's her most sought after city in the Northern Aegean!"

  "I never forget Athens, Antipater. Envoys have been sent there and secret negotiations are ongoing. Assurances have been given that will prevent any actions on her part. It's not important for the three of you to know the details of this subterfuge. The fewer who know of it, the less danger there is of everyone knowing it. Trust your king and follow his orders. You're generals; do what generals do. I'll tell you about the politics when you have a military need to know."

  Antipater’s face showed Philip’s severe rebuke. The king's newest general felt as if he had lost the confidence of his monarch. Quickly, he tried to make amends. "Your judgment about the Paeonians and the Illyrians was unerring, Philip. Our trust in you is unshakable. I'll begin working immediately to achieve these goals." He hoped his feeble response had been sufficient to show Philip his support.

  "We accept your leadership, Philip," said Attalus. "You're king and all you must do is tell us what we have to know to prepare the army. That's all fighting men need."

  Philip scowled at Attalus's words. Was he not a fighting man? Yet, a king had to rise above this. His generals would comply with his wishes. It was only when he started losing military or political battles that he must be concerned. Fighting men loved and respected a winner and he was that. That was the only thing that mattered.

  The generals left, after wishing Philip success in Thessaly. As he was studying maps of Thrace and Amphipolis, a servant entered his room. He was told that Eurydice had begun labor. A midwife had related that the labor was going to be arduous, even dangerous. Philip considered going to Eurydice, then rejected the idea. These birthing matters are the domains of women. Men don’t belong beside a screaming woman.

  The king delayed his journey to Pherai until after Eurydice delivered. Two days later, an exhausted midwife came to Philip carrying a sleeping baby girl, wrapped in white linen. The midwife, with head down, told the king that Eurydice had died giving birth. Before her death, she had told the midwife that she wanted the child named Kynna. Philip accepted the name and for the first and last time, took the lovely, perfectly formed infant in his arms. It was his first known offspring, but sadly, not a son. He returned Kynna to the midwife and commanded that the child be given the best of care. He then left the palace and joined his royal companions for the ride sout
h to Thessaly.

  Unexpectedly, the king of Macedon lingered two months in Thessaly. The aristocrats there welcomed him, and he felt that his southern sojourn was time well spent. He also enjoyed being in Greece, now that he was king of Macedon and not a Theban hostage. Philip got pledges of support from the city-states of Thessaly. All agreed to help Macedon pacify their immediate area. As an unexpected bonus, Philip also got five Thessalian horses for breeding stock. These horses would be the beginning of the fine breed that would eventually carry Macedon’s cavalry to all parts of the known world.

  Philip then made his way north to Larissa. Larissa, on the river Peneus, was not far from the sacred majesty of towering Mount Olympus. The city also sought good relations with the king of the developing power to their north. Philip charmed the Larrisans with his good humor and wit. All who met him said that he was an impressive monarch, one that Greece must reckon with for years to come. However, behind the king's back, they decried his rough manners and overbearing mien.

  A new concubine resulted from his diplomatic visit to Larissa. The girl was a member of the Aleaud family, the most prominent family of northern Thessaly. Her name was Philinna, and she performed magical sexual acts on the always-receptive king. Not even Aspasia of Thebes had ever performed the wondrous sexual practices of Philinna. Philip tarried in Larissa long after the political negotiations were over, enjoying Philinna's erotic pleasures. When the new concubine announced that she was pregnant, Philip, Philinna, twelve powerful mares and stallions, and his royal companion entourage finally left Larissa. Without urgency, they made their way into southern Macedonia, toward Pella's waiting problems.

  After only two days in the capital, the king left with Parmenio and Antipater for the abandoned fortress at Potiad. There he tested the effectiveness of his new sapper corps. Parmenio had recruited mostly Greek mercenaries to form the unit. At its leadership core was a cadre of young Macedonian officers who had been trained by an Athenian engineer. When the king arrived in Potiad, they pridefully began their destruction of the aging fortress. The tools of their siege craft were battering rams, mobile attack towers that could be rolled up to the walls of a city, catapults, and slings that fired arrows. The sappers, by tunneling beneath the fortress’ walls, methodically leveled the decaying fortress, convincing the king that he had a valuable addition to his improving army.