|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
Philip
V was one of the last great Macedonian sovereigns ruling from 221 to
179, whose attempt to extend Macedonian influence throughout Greece
resulted in his defeat by Rome.
The
son of Demetrius II and his wife Phthia (Chryseis), the young prince
was adopted, after his father's death in 229, by his half-cousin
Antigonus Doson, who took the throne. Philip succeeded upon Antigonus'
death (summer 221). On his accession he was only 17 years old and Doson
had taken care to organise around him a regency council. But Philip did
no delay in getting rid of this council: he re-inforced the absolute
monarchy, deliberately turning his back on the direction chosen by his
predecessor. He soon won renown by supporting the Hellenic League in
its war against Sparta, Aetolia, and Elis (220-217).
In
217 he concluded at Naupacte a treaty with the Aeolians, who had
recommenced hostilities on the death of Doson. This left him free to
act in the west.
After
the defeat of the Romans at Cannae, he concluded a treaty with Hannibal
in 215. This did not translate into any effective assistance on the
part of Carthage, but Philip carried out a number of doversionary
attacks in the Adriatic and on the frontiers of Illyria - operations
that did not really compromise the Roman positions.
In
215 Philip, allied with Hannibal, attacked the Roman client states in
Illyria and initiated 10 years of inconclusive warfare against Rome
(First Macedonian War). The Romans countered his moves by an alliance
with the Greek cities of the Aetolian League, but Philip effectively
aided his allies. When the Romans withdrew in 207, he forced an
independent settlement upon Aetolia (206) and concluded the war with
Rome on favourable terms (Peace of Phoenice, 205).
Philip
then turned to the east. He plotted against Rhodes and in 203-202
conspired with Antiochus III of Syria to plunder the possessions of the
Egyptian king Ptolemy V. But the people of Rhodes and Pergamum defeated
Philip at sea off Chios (201) and so exaggerated reports of his
aggression that Rome decided to declare war (Second Macedonian War).
The
Roman campaigns in Macedonia (199) and Thessaly (198) shook Philip's
position in Greece, and in 197 the Romans decisively defeated him at
Cynoscephalae in Thessaly.
The
terms of the peace confined Philip to Macedonia; he had to surrender
1,000 talents indemnity and most of his fleet and deposit hostages,
including his younger son, Demetrius, at Rome. Until 189 Philip aided
Rome against her enemies on the Greek peninsula. As a reward his
tribute was remitted and his son restored (190).
Philip
devoted the last decade of his life to consolidating his kingdom. He
reorganized finances, transplanted populations, reopened mines, and
issued central and local currencies. Neighbouring states constantly and
successfully accused him at Rome, however. Becoming convinced that Rome
intended to destroy him, he extended his authority into the Balkans in
three campaigns (184, 183, 181). In 179, while pursuing a scheme for
directing the Bastarnae against the Dardanians, Philip died. He had
been a fine soldier and a popular king whose plans for expansion lacked
consistent aims and achieved only temporary success. |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
