E1 - Death Strikes Suddenly from Nowhere

Alexander the Great's father is murdered... at his daughter's wedding... by his ex male lover. Welcome to the soap opera that is Alexander's life and reign.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, we explore the dramatic assassination of King Philip II of Macedon in 336 BCE - one of the most pivotal moments in ancient history, which sets the stage for the rise of his son, Alexander the Great.

Drawing on ancient sources, including Plutarch, Diodorus, and Justin, we examine the motives of Pausanias, who kills Philip at the wedding of his own daughter, Cleopatra (not that Cleopatra), to her uncle, Alexander I of Epirus.

We look at simmering tensions in Philip’s court, including his decision to take a fully Macedonian 7th wife, her uncle Attalus’ inflammatory remarks about a ‘legitimate heir,’ and the fall-out between Philip and Alexander after the ‘Pixodarus affair.’

Question is: Was this a personal act of revenge or part of a wider conspiracy against Philip? Did Alexander have anything to do with it?

Sound credits:

Peaceful Harp Loop by Joanne_pang Attribution Non-Commercial 0

Fanfare announcement by zagi2 Attribution Non-Commercial 0

Dagger sound by Artninja Attribution 4

Male Death Cry by F.M.Audio Attribution 4