Issue of Polygamy of the Macedonian Kings of the Argead Dynasty
The paper considers the issue of polygamy of the Macedonian kings of the Argead dynasty, especially, the marriage alliance of Philip II and Alexander of Macedon. The analysis of the Athenaeus’ passage allows us to examine the terminology and to discover contradictions in the views of ancient historians on polygamy. Based on the sources and literature cited, it is concluded that the practice of polygamy was not common among the fi rst Macedonian kings, marriages of Philip II were politically profi table alliances, but were not polygamous. In contrast to the marriages, Alexander the Great, who was influenced by the marriage policy of the Persian kings, practiced polygamy. While creating his Empire and following the example of the Achaemenids, he married the daughters of former rulers. It was concluded that not all the successors of Alexander were polygamous.