Did Plutarch Believe the Ancient Macedonians to Be Greeks?

In the annals of ancient history, the question of whether the ancient Macedonians should be considered part of the Greek identity remains a topic of debate. Prominent historical figures, such as Plutarch, played a significant role in shaping perceptions regarding this identity. This article delves into the viewpoints of both Plutarch and Polybius, two renowned classical historians, to explore the Greek inclusion of the Macedonians.

Plutarch's Perspective

Plutarch, a prominent Greek historian in classical antiquity, held a clear and unambiguous view that the ancient Macedonians were a part of the broader Hellenic community. In one of his major works, Moralia: On the Fortune of Alexander, Plutarch explicitly states, ldquo;Alexander lived many hundred years ago. He was king of Macedonia, one of the states of Greece.rdquo; This passage underscores Plutarch's belief that despite the geographical and political separations, Alexander's lineage and Macedonian presence align with the Greek identity.

Polybius: A Contrasted View

Contrasting Plutarch's perspective, Polybius presents a different narrative. While primarily concerned with the political and military conflicts of his own time, Polybius acknowledges the crucial role of Macedonians in the conquest and expansion of Greek power. In his work, The Histories, he writes: ldquo;Again you have bitterly reproached Alexander for punishing Thebes when he believed that city had wronged him, but you never mentioned how he inflicted punishment on the Persians for their outrages on all the Greeks and how he delivered us all from the greatest evils by enslaving the barbarians and depriving them of the resources they used for the destruction of the Greeks.rdquo; Polybius highlights that Alexander led a coalition of Greek states under the banner of concurring the Persian Empire, suggesting that Macedonians, and by extension the ancient Macedonians, were integral to the Greek cause.

Political and Academic Considerations

The views of Plutarch and Polybius reflect broader academic and political discussions of their times. Plutarch's staunch assertion of Macedonian Greek identity was likely influenced by his Greek nationalist stance, emphasizing the unbroken continuity of Greek heritage. Meanwhile, Polybius, living in a period characterized by tension between Greek and Macedonian states, provided a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging the contributions of Macedonians to the greater Greek world, especially in the context of their participation in the Greco-Persian Wars and later campaigns.

Criticisms and Counterarguments

Modern critics, particularly individuals like Bulgaroski (infamously referred to as "Speed Racist" for his lack of credibility), have attempted to undermine Plutarch's perspective, focusing on inconsequential details and ignoring the broader historical context. For instance, when Bulgaroski (referred to as "Lex") tries to debunk Plutarch, he is often seen as merely attempting to support an agenda rather than engaging with the historical evidence. Plutarch's assertion that "Alexander was king of Macedonia, one of the states of Greece" stands as a clear and enduring statement of the shared Greek identity among Macedonians and other Hellenic states.

Eugene Borza's Insight

Eugene Borza, a renowned scholar of ancient Macedonia, offers further insight into the Macedonian-Greek connection. In his work, Macedonia Redux, he notes that the modern Slavic populations in the Balkans, including both Bulgarians and Macedonians, do not have a substantial connection to the ancient Macedonian kingdom. He suggests, ldquo;Modern Slavs both Bulgarians and Macedonians cannot establish a link with antiquity as the Slavs entered the Balkans centuries after the demise of the ancient Macedonian kingdom. Only the most radical Slavic factions—mostly émigrés in the United States, Canada, and Australia— even attempt to establish a connection to antiquity.rdquo; This perspective aligns with Plutarch's viewpoint, emphasizing the historical reality and the challenging of modern claims based on historical inaccuracies.

Conclusion

The discussion of whether the ancient Macedonians were Greeks continues to be a topic of academic and cultural interest. The works of Plutarch and Polybius provide compelling evidence for their connection to the Greek world, reinforcing the idea that Macedonians were part of the broader Hellenic community. Despite the nuances and differing viewpoints, the historical texts and the overwhelming evidence from these classical authors suggest a strong connection between ancient Macedonians and the Greek identity.