# Philip III of Macedon

> king of Macedonia

**Wikidata**: [Q295530](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q295530)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_III_of_Macedon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/philip-iii-of-macedon

## Summary
Philip III of Macedon, also known as Philip Arrhidaeus, was a king of the ancient Hellenic kingdom of Macedonia who reigned from 323 to 317 BC. Born in 359 BC, he served as a figurehead ruler following the death of Alexander the Great, playing a nominal role in a period marked by political instability and power struggles among Macedonian leaders. His reign bridged the transition from the Argead dynasty to the rise of the Diadochi.

## Biography
- **Born**: 359 BC  
- **Nationality**: Macedonian (citizenship: Q83958)  
- **Known for**: Serving as a figurehead king of Macedonia during a critical transitional period after Alexander the Great's death.  
- **Employer(s)**: Kingdom of Macedonia  
- **Field(s)**: Politics, monarchy  

## Contributions
Philip III of Macedon’s reign (323–317 BC) provided nominal continuity for the Macedonian monarchy during a turbulent era of succession crises and territorial divisions among Alexander the Great’s generals. While he did not lead military campaigns or issue significant policies, his position as king helped legitimize the authority of regents like Perdiccas and later Antipater. Coins minted during his reign (e.g., *Coins of Philip III Arrhidaeus. 323-317 BC.jpg*) reflect the administrative structure of the Macedonian Empire during this period.

## FAQs
**Q: When did Philip III of Macedon reign?**  
A: He reigned from 323 BC until his death in 317 BC, a period marked by internal conflicts among Macedonian leaders.  

**Q: What was Philip III’s role in Macedonian politics?**  
A: He acted as a figurehead king, with actual power held by regents and military commanders such as Perdiccas and Cassander.  

**Q: Why is Philip III notable?**  
A: He was the half-brother of Alexander the Great and the last Argead ruler of Macedonia, symbolizing the end of the dynasty that had ruled since the 8th century BC.  

**Q: How did Philip III’s reign end?**  
A: He was deposed and executed in 317 BC by Olympias, Alexander the Great’s mother, during a dynastic struggle for control of Macedonia.  

## Why They Matter
Philip III’s reign marked the collapse of centralized authority in the Macedonian Empire, paving the way for the Wars of the Diadochi and the fragmentation of Alexander’s territories into Hellenistic kingdoms. His nominal kingship underscored the shift from hereditary monarchy to military-based power structures, influencing the political landscape of the Hellenistic world. Without his figurehead role, the transition of power might have lacked a unifying, albeit symbolic, monarchic legitimacy during a period of extreme instability.

## Notable For
- Last Argead king of Macedonia (323–317 BC).  
- Half-brother of Alexander the Great.  
- Deposed and executed in 317 BC, ending the Argead dynasty.  
- Reigned during the early Wars of the Diadochi.  
- Known by aliases including *Arrhidaios* and *Philippos Arrhidaios*.  

## Body

### Early Life and Reign
Philip III was born in 359 BC to King Philip II of Macedon and Philinna of Larissa, making him the half-brother of Alexander the Great. He was reportedly intellectually disabled, which led to his marginalization in succession plans. Following Alexander’s death in 323 BC, Philip III was proclaimed co-king with Alexander IV, the latter’s infant son, at the Assembly of Babylon. His reign was marked by power struggles among Alexander’s generals, who used him as a symbolic figure to legitimize their authority.

### Role as Figurehead King
Philip III’s primary role was to provide dynastic continuity rather than active governance. Key events during his reign include:  
- **323–320 BC**: Regent Perdiccas consolidated power but was later assassinated.  
- **319 BC**: Antipater’s death triggered renewed conflict among the Diadochi.  
- **318 BC**: Philip III’s authority was invoked by Polyperchon to oppose Cassander.  
- **317 BC**: Olympias, Alexander the Great’s mother, ordered his execution during a bid to secure power for Alexander IV.  

### Legacy
Philip III’s death in 317 BC ended the Argead dynasty, which had ruled Macedonia since the 8th century BC. His reign highlighted the fragility of Macedonian succession practices and the reliance on military loyalty over hereditary legitimacy. The coins minted during his rule (e.g., *Coins of Philip III Arrhidaeus. 323-317 BC.jpg*) serve as artifacts of administrative continuity amid political upheaval. His life and reign are documented in historical sources such as Diodorus Siculus and Arrian, emphasizing his symbolic role in a transformative era.

## References

1. Q45276252
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Oxford Classical Dictionary
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. CERL Thesaurus