Tales of Philip II under the Roman Empire: Aspects of Monarchy and Leadership in the Anecdotes, Apophthegmata , and Exempla of Philip II Michael Thomas James Welch BA (Hons. Class 1) M.Phil. A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2016 School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry P a g e 1 | 270 Abstract This thesis examines the role anecdotes, apophthegmata , and exempla play in the historiography of the Macedonian king Philip II in the Roman world - from the first century BCE to the fourth century CE. Most of the material examined comes from moral treatises, collections of tales and sayings, and military works by Greek and Latin authors such as Plutarch, Valerius Maximus, Aelian, Polyaenus, Frontinus, and Stobaeus (supplemented with pertinent material from other authors). This approach will show that while many of the tales surely originate from the earlier Greek world and Hellenistic times, the use and manipulation of the majority of them and the presentation of Philip are the product of a world living under Roman political and cultural domination. This thesis is divided into six chapters. Chapter one defines and discusses anecdotal material in the ancient world. Chapter two examines two emblematic ancient authors (Plutarch and Valerius Maximus) as case studies to demonstrate in detail the type of analysis required by all the authors of this study. Following this, the thesis then divides the material of our authors into four main areas of interest, particularly concerning Philip as a king and statesman. Therefore, chapter three examines Philip and justice. Chapter four looks at Philip and tales of criticism and self-control. Chapter five studies Philip and tales of friendship and politics. The final chapter examines material mostly of a military nature (though not exclusively), and concerns Philip as a warrior and general. All these studies show in the end that the tales of Philip II speak to a wider perspective than their internal details would at first suggest. Instead they are an important part of the Roman world’s evolving dialogue on politics, power, war and society. This thesis argues that one notable role of this material was to present Philip didactically as a largely positive exemplar during the Roman Empire, particularly in terms of monarchy, statesmanship and generalship. Though negative tales also do exist, these seem to have their roots in the more hostile traditions that followed closely the works of authors such as Demosthenes and Theopompus and are less popular. All these tales allowed for an engagement with Philip’s legacy on a broad social spectrum. However, this connection occurred particularly within elite circles. Here the dissemination of Philippic tales through rhetorical handbooks, education, speeches, collections of sayings and tales, panegyric, and military handbooks gave rise to a wealth of flexible and recognizable images of Philip as a model and paradigm for a class of Roman and Greek politicians and intellectuals who faced the realities of autocratic government. However, Philip’s tales were also heavy in social and civic symbolism and values which could be applied to any and all individuals. Therefore, the themes, virtues and morals of Philip’s diverse reception provided an image and exemplar which easily traversed age and social class. In conclusion, this thesis emphasises a practice by which Philip and his image were appropriated and manipulated to become important touchstones for social, civic, and governmental values during the constant political and cultural evolutions taking place in the Roman world as it moved from republic to entrenched empire. P a g e 2 | 270 Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis. P a g e 3 | 270 Publications during candidature No publications. Publications included in this thesis No publications included. P a g e 4 | 270 Contributions by others to the thesis No contributions by others. Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree None. P a g e 5 | 270 Acknowledgements I wish to sincerely thank my principal supervisor, Dr. Caillan Davenport – his efforts and support during this thesis have been truly beyond measure. I wish to thank very much my secondary supervisors – Dr. Amelia Brown and Emeritus-Professor Robert Milns. Their advice was greatly appreciated at all stages. I wish to thank my friends and family for all their support and kind words. I wish to thank Phoebe Coulon-McIntosh and Ptolemy. Without you both, your patience, your enthusiasm, and your ability to endure my moods and more – none of this would have been possible. Much love to you both. P a g e 6 | 270 Keywords philip II, macedonian history, greek and roman history, anecdotes, reception studies. Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) ANZSRC code: 210306, Classical Greek and Roman History, 100% Fields of Research (FoR) Classification FoR code: 2103, Historical Studies, 100% P a g e 7 | 270 Tales of Philip II under the Roman Empire Aspects of monarchy and Leadership in the Anecdotes, Apophthegmata and Exempla of Philip II By Michael Thomas James Welch P a g e 8 | 270 ...ou[ pw eijdovq! oJmoiivou polevmoio, oujd! ajgorevwn, i{na t! a[ndre" ajriprepeve" televqousi. tou[nekav me proevhke didaskevmenai tavde pavnta, muvqwn te rJhth'r! e[menai prhkth'rav te e[rgwn (Il. 9.440-43). 1 Toi'" de; tw'n !Aqhnaivwn dhmagwgoi'" e[fh cavrin e[cein, o{ti loidorou'nte" aujto;n beltivona poiou'si kai; tw'/ lovgw/ kai; tw'/ h[qei: “peirw'mai ga;r aujtou;" a{ma kai; toi'" lovgoi" kai; toi'" e[rgoi" yeudomevnou" ejlevgcein (Plut. Mor. 177E = Reg. et imp. apoph. Phil. 7).”2 1 ‘...knowing nothing as yet of evil war, nor of assemblies in which men become preeminent. For this reason he sent me to instruct you in all things, to be both a speaker of words and a doer of deeds.’ All translations are from the Loeb editions, unless otherwise stated. 2 ‘He (Philip) said that he felt very grateful to the popular leaders of the Athenians, because by maligning him they made him better both in speech and in character, “For I try both by my words and by my deeds to prove that they are the liars.”’ P a g e 9 | 270 Table of Contents Introduction : pp. 11-33. Chapter One – Anecdotes, Apophthegmata , and Exempla : Methodological Considerations: pp. 34-54. Chapter Two – Ancient Sources: Two Case Studies: pp. 55-73. Chapter Three – Judge Philip: The Judicial Tales of Philip II and the Role of Justice under the Roman Empire: pp. 74-105. Chapter Four – Slandering Philip: Philip II, Criticism and Self-Control in the Roman World: pp. 106-140. Chapter Five – Philip, Friendship and Politics: The Legacy of the Wisdom, Wit and Generosity of Philip II in the Roman World: pp. 141-177. Chapter Six – Philip the Warrior and General: Reflecting on War in the Roman World with the Example of Philip II: pp. 178-214. Conclusion : pp. 215-218. Bibliography : pp. 219-263. Appendix A – Philip’s Stratagems in Battle: pp. 264-267. Appendix B – Philip and Sparta: pp. 268-270. P a g e 10 | 270 Tales of Philip II under the Roman Empire Aspects of Monarchy and Leadership in the Anecdotes, Apophthegmata , and Exempla of Philip II tiv tw'/ lovgw/ kai; toi'" tou' lovgou mevresi diapraktevon ejstivn: (Isoc. Ep. 6.8). 3 Thesis Rationale There is an intriguing gap in our knowledge of Philip II of Macedon (382-336 BCE ). What role do anecdotes, apophthegmata , and exempla play in the historiography of this extraordinary Macedonian king? This gap is significant, as this material was influential in the shaping and use of Philip’s image and memory in antiquity.4 This means it could also have an important potential role in modern evaluations of Philip’s life, reign and legacy. 5 To date there has been no systematic attempt to examine this type of Philippic material as a whole in its own right. Individually, they feature occasionally in modern biographies of Philip and his period, but they are often inadequately discussed or understood beyond