King of Macedonia Alexander I Philhellene Argaead was the son of King of Macedonia Amyntas I Argaead .1,2 He fought in the army of Xerxes with a Macedonian contingent during the Persian wars 0484 B.C..3,4 He was elected as king to succeed his father 0495 B.C. In circa.5 King of Macedonia, Persian Empire, 0495-0452 B.C..5 He was honored by a poem from Pindar, which addressed him as "bold-scheming son of Amyntas".5 He managed to secretly help the Greeks against the Persians, earning the surname "Philhellen", that is, "friend of the Greeks," and as a result, obtained for Macedon the freedom from Persian dominion after the victory of the Greeks.4 A bronze tripod, with an inscription on it's rim, showing that it was won in the Heraia games held at Argos, was found in the Royal Macedonian tombs. The inscription, by it's lettering dated to 430-420 B.C., read: "I am from the games of the Argive Hera." While not definiate that is Alexander I's prize, it shows that some Macedonian king participated in the games.6 Sources: 1. Hammond, N.G.L. and Griffith, G.T. 'A History of Macedonia' Vol.II, chart between pp.176-177. "Men of Athens... Had I not greatly at heart the common welfare of Hellas I should not have come to tell you; but I am myself Hellene by descent, and I would not willingly see Hellas exchange freedom for slavery.... If you prosper in this war, forget not to do something for my freedom; consider the risk I have run, out of zeal for the Hellenic cause, to acquaint you with what Mardonius intends, and to save you from being surprised by the barbarians. I am Alexander of Macedon." (Herodotus, The Histories, 9.45).7 He was the first Macedonian to take part in the Olympic games.
Children of King of Macedonia Alexander I Philhellene Argaead:
Amyntas II Argaead+
King of Macedonia Perdiccas II Argaead + d. 0413 B.C.
[S204] Roderick W. Stuart, Royalty for Commoners: The Complete Lineage of John of Gaunt, Son of Edward III, Kings of England, and Queen Philippa (.: ., 3rd Ed., 1998), 413-85. Hereinafter cited as RfC.
[S723] Herodotus of Halicarnassus, The History of Herodotus (London and New York: MacMillan and Co., 1890). Hereinafter cited as Herodotus' History.
[S204] Roderick W. Stuart, RfC, 413-84.
[S1078] Plato and his dialogues, online . Hereinafter cited as Plato and his dialogues.
[S669] M. B. Sakellariou, Macedonia, 4000 Years of Greek History and Civilization, Greek Lands in History (8, Philadelphias Street, Athens, Greece: Ekdotike Athenon S.A., 1983/1988), pg. 68. Hereinafter cited as Sakellariou.
[S959] Manolis Andronicos, Vergina: The Royal Tombs (Athens, Greece: Ekdotike Hellados S.A., 1989), pg. 164-166. Hereinafter cited as Vergina.
[S723] Herodotus of Halicarnassus, Herodotus' History, 9.45.