Andriskos

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Ancient Macedonia

Andriskos (* around 185 BC; † 146 BC) was a tanner from Adramyttion . From 151 BC. He passed himself off as the son of Perseus , the last king of Macedonia , and briefly usurped the royal dignity. Philip, the legitimate son of Perseus, had died earlier. Because Andriskos slipped into his role, he was also called Pseudophilippos .

Historical background

At the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC BC, which ended the third Macedonian-Roman war (172–168 BC), the Romans had defeated the Antigonid king Perseus. Since then, Macedonia has been under Roman influence. The dissatisfaction of the population following the smashing of Macedonian independence probably formed the breeding ground for the Andriskos uprising, which culminated in the fourth Macedonian-Roman War (149–148 BC).

Historical processes

Since Andriskos initially found hardly any followers in Macedonia, he looked for an ally in Demetrios I. Demetrius, however, handed him over to the Romans. Either Andriskos was able to flee or he was released by the Romans because they saw no danger from him. 149 BC Andriskos reappeared in Macedonia, this time with a powerful Thracian troop, presumably supported by the Thracian rulers Teres and Barsabas . After he was able to defeat the praetor Publius Iuventius , he was made king in Pella . With another victory over Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica Serapio , he was able to consolidate his rule over Thessaly and established contacts with Carthage , which was in the third Punic war with Rome. Finally, after one year of reign, Andriskos was in 148 BC. Captured by Quintus Caecilius Metellus and brought to Rome. Metellus was given the title Macedonicus for the victory over Andriskos , the defeated Andriskos was led in triumphal procession through Rome and in 146 BC. Executed. Macedonia was declared a Roman province with a permanent occupation.

Ancient reports

Diodorus writes in his 31st book that the mercenary Andriskos had a great resemblance in appearance and age to Philip, the son of Perseus. That is why friends called him the son of Perseus . After all, he claimed that he actually descended from Perseus, which many people would have believed. Demetrius himself initially thought he was a weirdo. But since the crowd had campaigned for Andriskos, he finally arrested him and handed him over to Rome. Also Florus reported that Andriskos was named for its resemblance to Perseus' son usually Philippos ( quia volgo Philip ex similitudine Philippi Persae filii vocabatur ). Further information can be found in Velleius Paterculus .

literature

Remarks

  1. ↑ Florus, Epitome 1, 30 ( Wikisource ).
  2. ^ Velleius Paterculus, Historia Romana 1, 11, 1–2 ( English translation ).
personal data
SURNAME Andriskos
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Pseudophilippos
BRIEF DESCRIPTION King of Macedonia
DATE OF BIRTH around 185 BC Chr.
PLACE OF BIRTH Adramyttion
DATE OF DEATH 146 BC Chr.
Place of death Rome