Alexander's Illyrian Campaign

[smittysmitty]

Unfortunately, only one of our primary sources, Arrian, deals with this episode in any detail. However, we may still be able to draw a picture of what occurred during this early period of Alexander's reign using this information and what little is available from our other sources. Accepting Arrian's account of Alexander's succession to the throne, it would appear the Illyrians did not immediately revolt. Rather, knowledge of this disaffection does not reach Alexander until he has successfully campaigned in Thrace ending in an alliance being made with Syrmus and the other Danubian peoples. The Illyrian disaffection, in my opinion, may have come about as a result of the recent elimination of Alexander's cousin and heir to the throne Amnytas IV. Given, the politically motivated marriage between Philip II and Audata brought about a much desired alliance between one of Illyria's larger tribes and Macedon; this alliance was later even further strengthened by the political marriage of Audata's and Philips daughter Cynnane, to Amyntas IV, an Argead with high credentials. It would be safe to assume with the demise of Philip and Amyntas, the symbolism of such an alliance was now extinguished. (More on this matter later).
The actual campaign against the Illyrians sees Alexander take to arms against two allied Illyrian princes, Cleitus and Glaucius. The depiction of the campaign by Arrian leaves the reader with a sense of 'incompletion'! Cleitus and Glaucius are fortified at Pelium and take command of the surrounding heights forcing Alexander to backtrack. A few days later the enemy is caught napping, and a resounding victory is won by Alexander. Glaucius retreats; Cleitus backtracks to Pelium, burns the fortress down and seeks refuge in the mountains with Glaucius. Before we know it, Alexander is off to Thebes! The narrative on Illyria ceases and one is left guessing why and how such a small action, virtually a 'song and dance routine' should/would place the Illyrians at bay.

[smittysmitty]

Diodorus states [17.8.2]' this task was not yet finished when messengers reached him reporting that many of the Greeks were in revolt' - more or less confirming the incomplete nature of his actions. So how and why were the Illyrians brought back into line? Most contemporary historians make a point of AlexanderGÇÖs disinterest in political marriages until much later in his reign; in many respects they are justified in making such observations. We know of his immediate family, no such political marriages occurred during his life; however, that should not dismiss the existence of political marriages occurring altogether from amongst his kinsmen/women. There must have been other suitably qualified candidates for marriage apart from his immediate brother and sisters. We know, he was not totally averse to the idea of political marriages, after all, Cynnane was offered to the king of the Paeons, Langaros - which never eventuated. Plutarch makes mention that Alexander's advisors urged the use of milder methods and concessions rather than force to be used amongst the barbarians. Philip, it would appear, makes such marriages a matter of state policy. Why Alexander shouldchoose to diregard such policy seems odd.Interestingly enough, eighteen years after the Illyrian campaign, Glaucius an Illyrian king (whether it's the same as the earlier Glaucius is unknown) is said by Justin to have been married to a woman known as Beroe. This Beroe was in fact of the Aeacidae family; i.e. the same family as Alexander from his mother's side. Was this perhaps a political marriage organized by Alexander to bring the Illyrians back into line? Food for thought!
Cheers!

[Jim Boudreaux]

I wondered about this as well. The Illyrians could have wondered if Alexander had the mettle of his father or of his uncle, Perdiccas. This 'song and dance routine',although handily extricating Alexander's army, may have convinced them it was more likely the latter. But like his father Alexander returned to butt the harder and that may have been enough to convince them to wait another generation before again testing the waters .

[agesilaos]

There is a fragmentary papyrus which seems to allude to this campaign, I do bnot have the article, by Hammmond to hand but when I find it I'll post his restoration; sadly his conclusions are bizarre but the restoration itself seems sound IMO.

[abm]

Hi Smitty,this seems sound reasoning to me, but i'm not acquainted enough with early years of Alexander's reign to judge this really.It might be interesting to note that according to Diodorus some Illyrians participated in the Lamian War, but of course, this can be used to argue either way, since we don't know who the "some Illyrians" actually were. Heckel's remarks on political marriage might also be relevant here ('Factions and Politics in the reign of Alexander the Great', Ancient Macedonia 4, 293-305).Worthington recently argued that Amyntas was at Thebes in 335 and that this was the reason why Alexander destroyed the city [in W. Heckel & L.A. Tritle (edd.), Crossroads of History. The Age of Alexander, Claremont (Ca.) 2003]. I haven't read the article yet, but if he is right, that would be a problem for your reconstruction. Fredricksmeyr said in the introduction to the book that Worthington's case is convincing, for what that's worth.If i'm not mistaking the papyrus Karl mentioned deals with the Thracian campaign and it was first published by Schepens and Clarysse in Chronique d'Egypte 1985.regards,abm

[smittysmitty]

Hi Alexander,I'm not familiar with the Worthington article; it would be very interesting to know how he comes to the conclusion that Amyntas was at Thebes.According to Arrian, Cynnane was offered to Langaros whilst he was amongst the Paeonians which occured prior to the destruction of Thebes. The assumption therefore is, that Amyntas had already been disposed of. cheers!Mos

[abm]

a friend of mine borrowed "Crossroads of Histroy", but as soon as I get back and find the time to read the article I'll let you know on this forum how Worthington reaches the conclusion that Amyntas was at Thebes.regards,abm

[smittysmitty]

I would very mach appreciate if you could do that for me.many thanks
cheers!