The Ancient Macedonians: Were They Greeks or Something Else?
The question of who the ancient Macedonians were is a topic that has intrigued scholars for centuries. Since the late 20th century, a great deal of discussion and debate have arisen regarding the cultural and ethnic identity of the ancient Macedonians. Traditional historical accounts, combined with recent archaeological and linguistic evidence, provide a clearer picture of their identity as Greeks.
The Traditional Historical Perspective
Historically, ancient Macedonians are considered Greeks, a view supported by classical sources. Notably, Plutarch, a prominent Greek historian, mentions Alexander the Great as a Greek king, thus confirming the Macedonians as part of the Greek world. He writes, "Alexander lived many hundred years ago. He was king of Macedon one of the states of Greece" (Plutarch, Moralia: On the Fortune of Alexander, I 328d-329a).
Archaeological Evidence
Archaeological evidence provides further support for the Greek identity of the ancient Macedonians. No foreign language has ever been discovered in the region. Instead, only Koine and a unique form of Doric Greek are found, as seen in the Pella curse tablet, which was likely their native “Macedonian dialect.” This linguistic connection indicates a deep cultural and ethnic tie to the Greek world.
Geographical and Cultural Context
Geographical and cultural texts from the time further confirm the Greek status of ancient Macedonia. Strabo, a geographer of the Roman era, describes Macedonia as a part of Greece in his work, Geography: "Macedonia of course is a part of Greece." He also mentions the region's geographical and cultural characteristics, noting its location and the rivers that define its boundaries (Strabo, Geography, Book 7Fragm9).
Modern Claims and Historical Reality
However, modern claims about the Macedonians suggest a different narrative. Some individuals and groups today claim to be the descendants of the ancient Macedonians. These claims are often based on a different historical and cultural interpretation. The historical reality, however, paints a different picture. The ancient Macedonians did not share the same genetic, linguistic, or geographical continuity as those who claim to be their descendants today.
For instance, Phillip V of Macedon, a member of the Antigonid dynasty, in his dedicatory inscription, acknowledges a range of gods including those of Greece, Carthage, and Macedonia, indicating his cultural and national identity as Greek (inscription translation).
Furthermore, it is worth noting that many of the people who identify as modern Macedonians in the Balkans, such as today's self-identified Macedonians, were previously identified as Bulgarians or even Slavs. This change in self-identification is a relatively recent phenomenon and does not reflect a consistent continuity with the ancient Macedonians.
Conclusion
The evidence strongly supports the ancient Macedonians as Greeks. Their participation in panhellenic activities, their language, and their cultural and geographical context all point to their Greek identity. It is important to separate modern claims from historical realities when considering the ancient Macedonians' identity.
Bibliography:
- Plutarch, Moralia: On the Fortune of Alexander
- Strabo, Geography