v08_0025 - MACEDONIA - MACEDONIAN KINGDOM - ALEXANDER I Tétrobole, étalon léger

MACEDONIA - MACEDONIAN KINGDOM - ALEXANDER I

(495-454 BC)

Alexander I traced his lineage back to Caranos, one of the Heraclides. It is this mythical king who would have founded Aigia (Ægæ). Alexander is the son of Amyntas I who reigned at the end of the 6th century BC. Alexander I, considered a Philhellene, was an ally and tributary of the Persians. After the defeat of Salamis, Mardonius, satrap of Xerxes, charged him with negotiating peace with the Greeks. His mediation in Athens failed. Favorable to the Greeks, Alexander advised them of Mardonius' plans on the eve of the Battle of Plataea (479 AC.). He is the first Macedonian king who placed his name on coins after this battle and took advantage of the confusion arising from the Persian defeat to expand his kingdom. He moved the capital to Pydna. His son, Perdiccas II (454-413 AC.) succeeded him.