Overview of All Kings of Macedon

This page presents a complete chronological overview of the kings of Macedon. Each monarch is listed with their reign period and a concise note on territorial consolidation, diplomacy with the Greek poleis, military reforms, or cultural policies that shaped Macedon’s rise and its role in the wider Hellenic world.

Title	Date	Excerpt
Perdiccas I: Founder of the Argead Dynasty in Ancient Macedonia	c. 650 BC	Perdiccas I is recognized as the earliest recorded king of Macedonia and the founder of the Argead dynasty, playing a central role in the early formation of Macedonian royal lineage and territorial expansion.
Argaeus I: Early Macedonian King and Argead Dynasty Ancestor	c. 623	Argaeus I was an early ruler of the ancient Macedonian Argead dynasty, noted by classical authors as one of the kingdom’s first kings and remembered for his military victory over the Illyrian Taulantian king Galaurus and the founding of a temple dedicated to Pseudanor.
Philip I of Macedon: Early Argead King and Ancestor of Alexander the Great	c. 593	Philip I of Macedon was an early ruler of the Argead dynasty whose reign involved defending his kingdom against Illyrian and Thracian incursions and who established a lineage leading to Alexander the Great.
Aeropus I of Macedon: Early Argead King on Ancient Macedonia	c. 563	Aeropus I of Macedon was an early Argead king whose reign is noted for a legendary episode where his presence inspired Macedonian forces to repel invasions, marking an important moment in the kingdom's early history.
Alcetas: Early Argead King of Macedon	c. 533	Alcetas was a 6th-century BC Macedonian king from the Argead dynasty, noted for his peaceful rule and role in early Macedonian history.
Amyntas I of Macedon: Early Argead King and Diplomatic Pioneer	c. 512 – 498/7	Amyntas I ruled Macedon in the late 6th and early 5th centuries BC, establishing early diplomatic ties with Persia and Greek city-states that shaped the kingdom's development and regional influence.
Alexander I of Macedon: Architect of Early Macedonian Statehood	498/7 – 454	Alexander I of Macedon ruled in the early fifth century BC, expanding his kingdom's territory and influence through diplomacy, cultural engagement, and economic development, laying foundations for future Macedonian power.
Perdiccas II and the Kingdom of Macedon	454 – 413	Perdiccas II ruled Macedon during a turbulent era, skillfully maintaining its independence through shifting alliances and diplomacy amid the Peloponnesian War and regional conflicts. His reign preserved Macedon’s position and laid groundwork for future consolidation despite internal and external challenges.
Archelaus of Macedon: Architect of a Transitional Kingdom	413 – 399	Archelaus ruled Macedon from 413 to 399 BC, transforming it from a tribal monarchy into a more organized territorial state through reforms in administration, military, economy, and culture, while fostering ties with the Greek world.
Orestes of Macedon	399 – 398/7	Orestes was a child king of Macedon whose brief rule led to a transfer of power to his uncle Aeropus II, marking a notable episode in the Argead dynasty's history.
Aeropus II: Macedonian King and Political Figure in Early 4th Century BC	398/7 – 395/4	Aeropus II ruled Macedonia around 398–393 BC during a period of dynastic struggle and regional tension. His reign highlights the fragile nature of Macedonian kingship before Philip II's rise, marked by political maneuvering, cautious foreign policy, and a contested succession.
Amyntas II of Macedon: A Brief Reign in Ancient Greek History	394/3	Amyntas II ruled Macedon briefly around 394/3 BC, with his short tenure marked by uncertain lineage and an abrupt assassination that led to a dynastic succession.
Pausanias: A Brief Reign in Ancient Macedonian History	394/3	Pausanias ruled the ancient Macedonian kingdom for about one year around 394/3–393/2 BC during a period of dynastic instability and rapid succession.
Amyntas III: Preserver of the Argead Monarchy in Ancient Macedonia	393 / 393 – 369	Amyntas III ruled Macedonia during the fourth century BC, stabilizing the kingdom through diplomacy and strategic alliances. His reign laid the foundation for the rise of his descendants, including Philip II and Alexander the Great, by restoring territorial control and maintaining royal continuity.
Argaeus II: The Contested Macedonian Pretender	393? (disputed)	Argaeus II was a Macedonian figure whose brief and disputed claims to the throne highlight the turbulent power struggles in Macedonia before Philip II's reign.
Alexander II of Macedon: A Brief Reign in Ancient Macedon	369 – 368	Alexander II of Macedon ruled briefly during a turbulent period marked by invasions, internal conflicts, and political intrigue that shaped the kingdom's future.
Ptolemy of Aloros: Regent and Usurper in Ancient Macedon	368 – 365	Ptolemy of Aloros played a pivotal role in Macedonian history during the late 4th century BC by seizing regency through assassination and navigating complex political challenges before his violent removal.
Perdiccas III: King of Macedon in the Fourth Century BC	365 – 360/59	Perdiccas III ruled Macedon during a turbulent period marked by political struggles, philosophical patronage, and military conflict with the Illyrians, culminating in his death in battle.
Amyntas IV of Macedon	360/59	Amyntas IV of Macedon was a child king whose brief and contested reign reflects the complex dynastic struggles of ancient Macedonia during the rise of Philip II and Alexander the Great.
Philip II of Macedon: Architect of Macedonian Power and Influence	360/59 – 336	Philip II transformed Macedon from a fragmented kingdom into a centralized state with a professional army and strong economy, laying the groundwork for his son Alexander's expansive empire.
Alexander the Great: The Macedonian Conqueror and Cultural Pioneer	336 – 323	Alexander the Great expanded Macedonian rule across three continents, initiating widespread cultural exchange and founding cities that shaped the Hellenistic world.
Philip III Arrhidaeus	323 – 317	Philip III Arrhidaeus ruled Macedonia during the turbulent years following Alexander the Great's death, serving as a ceremonial monarch whose reign reflects the complex power struggles and fragmentation of the empire among competing generals.
Alexander IV of Macedon: The Last Argead King and His Role in Hellenistic History	323 – 310	Alexander IV of Macedon was the posthumous son of Alexander the Great whose brief life symbolized the political fragmentation of his father's empire and the transition to the Hellenistic kingdoms.