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A PAUSANIAS’ WITNESS ON THE ORIGIN OF
ANCIENT MACEDONIAN KINGS.
Theodore J. Drizis MD, PhDME, PhDHI
Kalamata – Greece
The aim of this work is to present a witness of the ancient Greek traveler
and author Pausanias, 2nd c. AD (CE), on the origin and descent of the
Kings in ancient Macedonia.
The material of this work is the Pausanias’ writing “Description of
Greece”, which according W. H. S. Jones is like a topographical guidebook
of Greece filled out with historical accounts.
The method is the textual criticism. The work uses the text of the Loeb
Classical Library, which through original text and English translation, as
the most trustworthy and famous in nowadays, gives a good access in this
ancient Greek writing.
Respecting the research, it is found out a Pausanias’ report in his ninth
book, named “Boeotia”, of his writing “Description of Greece” related to
Caranus, a Temenus’ and Heracles’ descendent from Argos of
Peloponnese. This report reveals the Macedonian Kings’ descent.
Analytically, Pausanias says: “…In the territory of Chaeroneia are two
trophies, which the Romans under Sulla set up to commemorate their
victory over the army of Mithidrates under Taxillus. But Phillip, son of
Amyntas, set up no trophy, neither here nor for any other success, whether
won over Greeks or non – Greeks, as the Macedonians were not
accustomed to raise trophies. The Macedonians say that Caranus, king of
Macedonia, overcame in battle Cisseus, a chieftain in a bordering country.
For his victory Caranus set up a trophy after the Argive fashion, but it is
said to have been upset by a lion from Olympus, which then vanished.
Caranus, they assert, realised that it was a mistaken policy to incur the
undying hatred of the non – Greeks dwelling around, and so, they say, the
rule was adopted that no king of Macedonia, neither Caranus himself nor
any of his successors, should set up trophies, if they were ever to gain the
good – will of their neighbours. This story is confirmed by the fact that
Alexander set up no trophies, neither for his victory over Dareius nor for
those he won in India…” (Pausanias, Description of Greece, Boeotia, XL.
7 – 9)
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.
Discussing this Pausanias’ extract from his writing “Description of Greece
– Boeotia”, we can find out his references so to Macedonian Caranus’
descent, as to his difference from non – Greeks, denoted both by Pausanias.
1
Pausanias, Description of Greece, translated by W. H. S. Jones, v. IV, p. 359 – 361. Harvard University
Press, Cambridge (MA) – USA, London (EN) – GB, 1935. Loeb Classical Library.
2
Concerning the Macedonian Caranus’ descent, Pausanias mentions the
phrase “Argive fashion”. It is easy to be comprehended that Argive fashion
means the fashion from Argos. The word “Argive” is used from Appian
(Appianus) too, in order to characterize the Macedonian Kings respecting
their descent and origin
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. Appian (Appianus) clearly mentions: “…The
Macedonians boast their descent from Argive kings…” (Appian’s Roman
History, Book IX – Macedonian Affairs, Ch. 2)
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.
The Argive fashion on setting up a trophy, after a victorious battle, is not a
unique fashion of Argives. For instance, Pausanias by himself, in this
extract at the first lines, mentions on account of Roman trophies to
commemorate their victories. Pausanias clearly says: “…In the territory of
Chaeroneia are two trophies, which the Romans under Sulla set up to
commemorate their victory…” (Pausanias, Description of Greece –
Boeotia, XL. 7). Consequently, “Argive” and “Roman” mean descent and
origin.
Respecting to Caranus, it is obvious from aforementioned Pausanias’
extract, he is king of Macedonia and his origin, according Pausanias
(“Argive fashion” see above) and other authors, is Greek. Theopompi (an
historian of 4th c. BC)
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mentions: “…Caranus from Hercule was eleventh,
as long as from Temenus who with other Heracleides come down in
Peloponnese, seventh. The genealogy of him is generated in this series, as
says Diodorus and many of the authors between them and Theopompus;
Caranus son of Pheidonis, son of Aristomidas, son of Meropis, son of
Theostius, son of Cissius, son of Temenus, son of Aristomachus, son of
Cleadatus, son of Hyllus, son of Herculis…” (Theopompi Fragmenta,
Phillipica, Liber I, fragm. 30, p. 283. Translation of the fragment 30 in
English by Theodore J. Drizis)
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.
Taking everything into account, I am convinced, this Pausanias’ report
presents another witness of the Greek origin of the Macedonian Kings, who
by heredity ruled Macedonia.
2
Theodore J. Drizis, A Macedonians Kings’ Declaration on their origin, Kalamata – Greece 2019.
3
Appian, Roman History, translated by Horace White, v. II, p. 13. Harvard University Press. Cambridge
(MA) – USA, London (EN). Loeb Classical Library.
4
Paul Kroh, Lexicon der Antiken Autoren, translated in Greek by D. Lypourlis – L. Tromaras, p. 233.
University Studio Press. Thessaloniki 1996.
5
Syncellus Chron., p.262, p.499 ed. Dindorf. (cf. Diod. Fragm. Tom IV, p. 18). Cum Theopompo facit
Justin. VII, I. In Car. et Theod. Mulleri, Fragmenta Historicorum Graecorum. Apollodori Biblioteca cum
Frafmentis. Parisiis. Editore Ambrosio Firmin Didot. MDCCCXLI.
Grenfel B.P. – Hunt A.S., Hellenica Oxyrhynchia cum Theopompi et Cratippi Fragmentis, Theopompi Fr.
29.
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Key – words and phrase.
Pausanias, Caranus, Macedonia,
Argive fashion.
Abstract. – The aim of this work is to present another witness on the ancient
Macedonian Kings’ Greek origin. The material is the Pausanias’ writing
“Description of Greece” book IX – Boeotia (xl. 7 – 9). The method is the
textual criticism. The result is, Caranus an ancient Macedonian King of
Greek origin followed his hereditary fashion on the victory of a battle
demonstrating with this manner his origin from Argos. In conclusion, the
ancient Macedonian Kings’ origin is obvious Greek.
Bibliography
1. Pausanias, Description of Greece – Book IX (Boeotia), translated in
English by W. H. S. Jones. Harvard University Press. Cambridge
(MA) – USA, London (EN), 1935. Loeb Classical Library.
2. Appian (Appianus), Roman History, translated in English by Horace
White. Harvard University Press. Cambridge (MA) – USA, London
(EN), 1912. Loeb Classical Library.
3. Carol. And Theod. Mullieri, Fragmenta Historicum Graecorum.
Apollodori Biblioteca cum Fragmentis. Editore Ambrosio Firmin
Didot. Parisiis MDCCCXLI.
4. Grenfell Bernard Pyne and Hunt S. Arturus, Hellenica Oxyrhynchia
cum Theopompi et Cratippi Fragmentis, Recognoverunt Brevique
Adnotatione Critica Instruxerunt. Primary Source Edition.
Scribebam mense Martio M.DCCC.IX Oxonii e Typographeo
Clarendoniano.
5. Theodore J. Drizis, A Macedonian Kings’ Declaration on their
origin. Kalamata – Greece 2019.
Electronic pages
1. www.dfhg-project.org
2. www.dh.uni-leipzig.de/wo/dfhg
3. www.archive.org/details/fragmentahistori0mueluoft