Diodorus Siculus: Philippic Narrative

This edition, one of the Bloomsbury Classics Companion Series, provides a translation and detailed commentary of the Greek and Macedonian narrative of Diodorus Book XVI. The reign of Philip II (359-336BC) saw the transformation of Macedon into the greatest power in the Mediterranean world. Philip II inherited a kingdom near collapse, but his outstanding qualities as a general, statesman and diplomat enabled him to end the feuding of individual Greek city states and create the political organisation of Greece by which his son Alexander conquered the Persian empire and inaugurated the Hellenistic age, which spread Greek culture through much of the Near East.

Our knowledge of Alexander is served by a wide variouety of ancient sources but that of Philip depends almost entirely on contemporary speeches by Athenian orators, especially the hostile Demosthenes, and the Sixteenth Book of Didorus Siculus. Although he lived some 300 years after the events, Diodorus’ work remains our only detailed account by an ancient historian. Yet, despite its crucial importance it has been frequently overlooked by modern scholars. This volume makes it accessible in a new translation with detailed historical commentary for all those interested in the fascinating figure of Philip himself and the remarkable rise of Macedon as an ancient world power.

Author Biography

E.I. McQueen is a Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Bristol, UK.