Achaemenid Macedonia

Achaemenid Macedonia
Αχαιμενιδών Μακεδονία
512/511–499 BC, 492–479 BC
Macedonia as a Persian vassal kingdom during the early stages of the Greco-Persian Wars
Macedonia as a Persian vassal kingdom during the early stages of the Greco-Persian Wars
CapitalAigai[1]
Common languagesAncient Macedonian,
Attic Greek, Old Persian
Government
King 
Historical eraClassical Antiquity
• Macedon becomes a vassal kingdom under Darius I
512/511–499 BC
• Macedon becomes a fully subordinate part of Persia.[2]
492–479 BC
• Conclusion of the Second Persian invasion of Greece
479 BC
• Macedon gains independence from Persia.[2]
479 BC
CurrencyDaric, Siglos, Tetradrachm

Achaemenid Macedonia refers to the period in which the ancient Greek Kingdom of Macedonia was under the reign of the Achaemenid Persians. In 512/511 BC, the Persian general Megabyzus forced the Macedonian king Amyntas I to make his kingdom a vassal of the Achaemenids. In 492 BC, following the Ionian Revolt, the Persian general Mardonius firmly re-tightened the Persian grip in the Balkans, making Macedon a fully subordinate kingdom within the Achaemenid domains and part of its administrative system. Macedonia served the Achaemenid Empire during the Greco-Persian Wars in their invasion of mainland Greece. They regained independence following the defeat and withdrawal of the Achaemenid Empire in 479 BC.

  1. ^ Roisman & Worthington 2011, Chapter 5: Johannes Engels, "Macedonians and Greeks", p. 92.
  2. ^ a b Roisman & Worthington 2011, pp. 135–138, 342–345.