Perdiccas III of Macedon

Perdiccas III
King of Macedon
stater of Perdikkas III
Reign	368–359 BC
Predecessor	Alexander II
Successor	Amyntas IV
Issue	Amyntas IV
Dynasty	Argead dynasty
Father	Amyntas III
Mother	Eurydice
Religion	Ancient Greek religion

Coin of Perdiccas III, with figure of Herakles.

Perdiccas III (Greek: Περδίκκας Γ΄) was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia from 368 BC to 359 BC, succeeding his brother Alexander II.

Son of Amyntas III and Eurydice, he was a child when Alexander II was killed by Ptolemy of Aloros, who then ruled as regent. In 365 BC, Perdiccas killed Ptolemy and assumed government.

There is very little information about the reign of Perdiccas III. He was at one time engaged in hostilities with Athens over Amphipolis, and he was distinguished for his patronage of men of letters. Among these we are told that Euphraeus of Oreus, a disciple of Plato, rose so high in Perdiccas's favour as to completely govern the young king and to exclude from his society all but philosophers and geometers.

He also served as Theorodokos in the Epidaurian Panhellenic games that took place around 365 BC.

He tried to reconquer upper Macedonia from the Illyrian Bardylis, but the expedition ended in disaster, with Perdiccas being killed.

Perdiccas was succeeded by his infant son, Amyntas IV. The throne was soon usurped by Perdiccas' younger brother Philip II.

References

• Tritle, Lawrence A. ed. The Greek World in the Fourth Century: From the Fall of the Athenian Empire to the Successors of Alexander. London: Routledge, 1997. ISBN 978-0415-10583-5.

External links

• Perdiccas III Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology

Perdiccas III of Macedon Argead dynasty Born: Unknown Died: 359 BC
Preceded by Alexander II	King of Macedon 368–359 BC	Succeeded by Amyntas IV