Herodotus 8, 137-139 and the Foundation of Argead Macedonia
Herodotus 8, 137-139 and the Foundation of Argead Macedonia

Summary/Abstract: Modern researchers are confronted with enormous difficulties as regards the reconstruction of the events which led to the founding of the Argead Kingdom. A considerable part of the records on the processes going on in that period is based on traditions of rather mythological than historical nature. Of course, a good deal of the above-mentioned legendary evidence also contains historical facts, which are however mostly very scarce to provide the necessary exact chronological, geographical and historical information. This must be due both to the late records of the traditions, and also to the fact that the information comprised was delivered by the Macedonian royal court and so meant to serve the propaganda; that is why the authenticity of a part of the described events may possibly be doubted. Even so, however, it is extremely valuable for the mere reason of being the only literary source imparting knowledge on the foundation of the Argead Kingdom.

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