Antigonus II Gonatas

Antigonus II Gonatas

King of Macedonia from the Antigonid dynasty
Date of Birth: .
Country: Macedonia

Content:
  1. Antigonus Gonatas: King of Macedon
  2. Ascent to the Throne
  3. Reign
  4. Consolidation of Macedonian Power
  5. The Chremonidean War
  6. Victory and Consolidation
  7. Later Reign and Legacy
  8. Character and Legacy

Antigonus Gonatas: King of Macedon

Early Life and Accession to the Throne

Antigonus II Gonatas, King of Macedon, was born in Gonni, Thessaly around 319 BCE. His father was Demetrius I Poliorcetes, one of the generals known as the "Successors" who fought to divide Alexander the Great's empire. Antigonus's mother was Phila, daughter of Antipater. His early life was marked by the turmoil of the "Wars of the Diadochi."

After his father's defeat at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE, Antigonus continued to lead his father's garrisons in Greece. When Demetrius was killed in 283 BCE, Antigonus seized control of these garrisons, which were strategically positioned to control key cities such as Acrocorinth, Chalcis, and Demetrias.

Ascent to the Throne

The death of the last two major Diadochi, Lysimachus and Seleucus, in 281 BCE created a power vacuum in Macedon. Antigonus attempted to intervene, but was defeated by Ptolemy Ceraunus, who briefly claimed the throne.

Antigonus was forced to flee to Asia Minor, where he fought against Antiochus I. However, in 277 BCE, he suddenly landed in the Hellespont and defeated the invading Celts at the Battle of Lysimacheia. The following year, he occupied the Macedonian throne with the support of the Aetolians and a force of 9,000 Celtic mercenaries.

Reign

Early Years and Invasion by Pyrrhus

Antigonus's reign began with efforts to restore order in Greece. However, his attempts to crush the anti-Macedonian Achaean League were interrupted in 274 BCE by the invasion of Pyrrhus, King of Epirus. Antigonus was defeated and forced to retreat, losing Thessaly, Upper Macedonia, and even the old Macedonian capital, Aegae.

In 273 BCE, Pyrrhus again defeated Antigonus, forcing him to flee to the coast. However, Pyrrhus's death during his siege of Argos in 272 BCE removed his main rival from the scene.

Consolidation of Macedonian Power

With Pyrrhus defeated, Antigonus began to strengthen his influence in the Peloponnese, establishing loyal tyrannies. He refrained from imposing garrisons in most Peloponnesian cities, with the exception of Trezen, Mantinea, and Acrocorinth, which gave Macedon control of the entire peninsula. Garrisons were also left in Chalcis and Demetrias.

These measures restored some stability to Greece. The Celts remained quiet, and the Aetolians abandoned their aggressive policy. Macedonia began to recover internally and strengthen its foreign policy.

The Chremonidean War

Peace was disrupted in 266/265 BCE when Athens declared its independence, egged on by Chremonides, an advisor to the Egyptian king Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Egypt had previously stayed out of Balkan affairs, but was alarmed by the growing strength of the Macedonian navy, which had become dominant in the Aegean Sea.

Antigonus immediately besieged Athens, while an Egyptian fleet sailed to support the rebels. The Spartans and other Peloponnesian cities joined the revolt, but were contained by a Macedonian garrison in Corinth.

In 264 BCE, the Spartans attempted to attack Antigonus at Corinth, but were decisively defeated. However, an Epirote invasion forced Antigonus to lift the siege of Athens and march north. He was defeated and lost his army, which defected to his cousin Alexander II.

Victory and Consolidation

Antigonus returned to Athens and defeated Egyptian reinforcements at the Battle of Cos. This victory gave him control of the Aegean Sea and he regained influence over the Cyclades, Caria, and Euboea.

In 261 BCE, after enduring a long siege, Athens surrendered. Macedonian garrisons were installed in key cities throughout Greece. The war ended in a Macedonian victory.

Later Reign and Legacy

Antigonus devoted his remaining years to consolidating Macedonian power. He strengthened Macedonia's economy and expanded its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean. He founded the city of Antigonia (modern-day Negotin) in northern Macedonia.

Antigonus faced ongoing challenges from Egypt, which attempted to weaken Macedonian influence in the Peloponnese. He fought off an attack on Acrocorinth in 252 BCE and defeated the Egyptian fleet at Andros in 246 BCE.

Antigonus died in 239 BCE, passing the Macedonian throne to his son, Demetrius II Aetolicus.

Character and Legacy

Antigonus Gonatas was a determined and resourceful politician, known for his ability to achieve his goals through indirect means. However, he was also known for his generosity and forgiveness. He was a friend of the Stoic philosopher Zeno of Citium and gave him a lavish funeral.

Antigonus's reign marked a period of recovery and stability for Macedonia. He successfully defended his kingdom against external threats and restored its influence in Greece.

© BIOGRAPHS