Ancient Greece - 323-317 BCE Kingdom of Macedon Philip III AV Stater NGC Choice AU

Lustrous, dramatic specimen from the time of Philip III. Obverse presents head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet pushed back, the bowl decorated with a coiled serpent. Reverse ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ-Β-ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Nike walking left, holding wreath in her outstretched right hand and stylus cradled in left arm. ΛΥ below wing in left field.

Philip III as pharaoh on a relief in Karnak. Photo: wikipedia.

Philip III Arrhidaeus ruled as king of Macedonia, the ancient Greek kingdom in northern Greece. A son of King Philip II of Macedon by Philinna of Larissa, he was therefore an elder half-brother of Alexander the Great. He was named Arrihidaeus at birth, however took the name Philip when he assumed the throne. As Arrhidaeus grew older it became evident that he was learning disabled. Plutarch believed his disability was through an attempt on his life by Philip II's wife, Queen Olympias, in order to eliminate a potential rival to her son, Alexander, by using pharmaka (drugs/spells). Most modern scholars dispute this claim.

Alexander, who was affectionate towards Arrhidaeus, brought him on campaigns with him. This was both to protect his life and thwart any plots to use him as a pawn in a potential challenge to his throne. After the death of Alexander in Babylon (323 BCE), the Macedonian army in Asia declared Arrhidaeus to be king. However, he served as a figurehead and pawn of several powerful generals.