The Murder The Murder Of PhilipOf Philip

THE EVENTS OF THE THE EVENTS OF THE MURDERMURDER Philip was attending the wedding of his daughter: Philip was attending the wedding of his daughter:

Cleopatra (daughter of Olympias) to Alexander King of Cleopatra (daughter of Olympias) to Alexander King of EpirusEpirus

the wedding took place in the old Macedonian capital of the wedding took place in the old Macedonian capital of Aegae.Aegae.

Philip entered the theatre escorted by his son Alexander (the Philip entered the theatre escorted by his son Alexander (the Great) and his future son-in-law Alexander (of Epirus).Great) and his future son-in-law Alexander (of Epirus).

his bodyguards stood off at a distance.his bodyguards stood off at a distance. a man, Pausanias rushed up to Philip and a man, Pausanias rushed up to Philip and

stabbed him in the chest. stabbed him in the chest. Pausanias ran for the gates where a horse Pausanias ran for the gates where a horse

was waiting but he tripped on a root. was waiting but he tripped on a root. as he tried to stand up he was speared by as he tried to stand up he was speared by

a group of pursuing bodyguards. a group of pursuing bodyguards.

Who Who was pausanias ?was pausanias ?

Pausanias of Orestis Pausanias of Orestis was:was:

A Macedonian noble.A Macedonian noble. A bodyguard of King A bodyguard of King

Philip.Philip. Philip’s ex-lover.Philip’s ex-lover.

What was pausanias What was pausanias motive?motive?

Pausanias (of Orestis) was Pausanias (of Orestis) was Philip’s lover. Philip’s lover.

A new Pausanias began attracting the A new Pausanias began attracting the Kings attention.Kings attention.

So, Pausanias (A) insulted So, Pausanias (A) insulted Pausanias (B).Pausanias (B).

Upset, Pausanias (B) committed Upset, Pausanias (B) committed suicide by placing himself in front of suicide by placing himself in front of the King during a battle.the King during a battle.

Attalus knew the real reason Attalus knew the real reason for his suicide. for his suicide.

Attalus invited Pausanias to Attalus invited Pausanias to dinner, got him drunk, then dinner, got him drunk, then had him assaulted. had him assaulted.

Pausanias went to Philip demanding Pausanias went to Philip demanding justice.justice.

Angry though Philip was he did Angry though Philip was he did nothing. Attalus was a relation and nothing. Attalus was a relation and was important.was important.

Philip offered Pausanias Philip offered Pausanias gifts and a promotion gifts and a promotion but it didn’t work. but it didn’t work.

So …So …

Pausanias decided to kill Philip when he Pausanias decided to kill Philip when he asked a philosopher Hermocrates how to asked a philosopher Hermocrates how to become famous. He replied:become famous. He replied:

““By killing someone By killing someone who who

had done famous had done famous

deeds”deeds”

ANY OTHER SUSPECTS…?ANY OTHER SUSPECTS…?ANTIPATERANTIPATER disaffected Macedonian noble.disaffected Macedonian noble.

PERSIAN KINGPERSIAN KING knew Philip was planning an invasion.knew Philip was planning an invasion.

GREEKS OUTSIDE MACEDONIAGREEKS OUTSIDE MACEDONIA who hoped to get out from under Macedonian rule.who hoped to get out from under Macedonian rule.

OLYMPIASOLYMPIAS Supplanted by Cleopatra as Philip’s first wife. Supplanted by Cleopatra as Philip’s first wife.

ALEXANDERALEXANDER Alientate by his father and feared a new son of Alientate by his father and feared a new son of

Philip.Philip.

ALEXANDER IS GUILTY.ALEXANDER IS GUILTY. he had quarrelled with Philip.he had quarrelled with Philip.

he could lose the throne to Cleopatra’s heir.he could lose the throne to Cleopatra’s heir.

the bodyguards were all friends of Alexander.the bodyguards were all friends of Alexander.

the bodyguards made no attempt to take the bodyguards made no attempt to take Pausanias alive.Pausanias alive.

the army were on hand to provide a quick election.the army were on hand to provide a quick election.

his supporters were very prompt in putting his supporters were very prompt in putting Alexander forward.Alexander forward.

ALEXANDER IS NOT GUILTY.ALEXANDER IS NOT GUILTY. he went out of his way to find the guilty.he went out of his way to find the guilty.

Antipater (Philip’s chief general and friend) Antipater (Philip’s chief general and friend) immediately supported Alexander.immediately supported Alexander.

it was unlikely that he would have selected such a it was unlikely that he would have selected such a public moment (his sisters wedding) for murder.public moment (his sisters wedding) for murder.

because of his deeply religious upbringing patricide because of his deeply religious upbringing patricide would have been seen as a dreadful crime.would have been seen as a dreadful crime.

a more likely suspect would have been Darius (the a more likely suspect would have been Darius (the King of Persia) who knew of the planned invasion.King of Persia) who knew of the planned invasion.

WHAT DO YOU THINK…?WHAT DO YOU THINK…?You be the judge.You be the judge.