RATIONES RERUM 20: Articolo Marcello Lupi

Descrizione

Rationes Rerum 20

MARCELLO LUPI
«Allo scopo di abbattere la dignità regale». Filippo II di Macedonia e la diarchia spartana

The desire to overthrow the Spartan royal hierarchy, i.e., the diarchy, is explicitly mentioned by Isyllus of Epidaurus as the motive for the expedition against Sparta led by a “Philip” who must be identified with Philip II of Macedon. It has generally been argued that this statement should not be taken literally; however, in the light of the sources, in which the Spartan apophthegmata play an important role, Isyllus’ testimony can be reevaluated, especially since there is reason to believe that in 337, at about the same time as Philip’s expedition, a Spartan king was actually dethroned.