Ancient History often seems immovable. However, a study published in the scientific journal Karanosmaintains that the dynasty of the Argeadasto which he belonged Alexander the Greatwas consolidated 75 years later than the traditional chronology indicates.
For decades, historians have traced the origin of the Macedonian royal lineage—the Argeada or Temenida dynasty— between 700 and 650 BC. C. That chronology assumed an early and relatively stable state development in the region.
The new study, led by researchers William S. Greenwalt and Vasiliki Saripanidiproposes a substantial change since they estimate that The founding of the unified kingdom should be placed around 575 BC. c.almost 75 years after what was accepted. This significantly compresses the early history of Macedonia.
According to the authors, there is no solid archaeological evidence of a centralized power west of the Axios River before the 6th century BC. c. Funerary remains from Lower Macedonia show practices typical of Iron Age communities, without clear signs of state hierarchy or consolidated monarchy.
One of the key points of the study is the criticism of classical written sources used for centuries. In particular, there is excessive reliance on texts such as Chronicle of Eusebiuswhich includes lists of kings today considered problematic.
According to the researchers, several early monarchs -as Carano, Supper o Tirinias— would have been added centuries later for political or propaganda purposes, artificially inflating the antiquity of the Macedonian royal lineage.
By removing these spurious kings and recalculating the length of the reigns from verifiable data, the chronology moves consistently towards the middle of the 6th century BC. c.
Furthermore, it is hardly credible that the first monarchs ruled for almost three decades each in a context without solid state institutions.
Archeology supports this chronological modification
Archaeological evidence supports this chronological restatement. Around 570 BC. C., an abrupt change is detected in the funerary rituals of the Macedonian regiona key indicator of the emergence of a ruling elite.
From that moment Tombs appear with rich grave goods, imported objects, pieces of gold and defensive weapons such as helmets and breastplates.. This pattern is not observed in previous decades, suggesting a sudden concentration of power and resources.
In places like Verginathe differentiated organization of high-status male and female burials reinforces the hypothesis of the late birth of the royal family that would later dominate Macedonia and would give rise to its imperial expansion.
Why this discovery changes the date of consolidation of the Macedonian reign
If the Macedonian kingdom was consolidated later, so was the context that allowed the rise of Alexander the Great. This implies rethinking the speed with which the political, military and social power that sustained its conquests was structured.
The new chronology shows to Macedonia like a young statewhich in a few generations went from a tribal organization to an empire capable of defeating powers such as Persia. That jump is even more extraordinary from this perspective.
Regardless of whether the debate closes or continues, The study confirms that ancient history is not a closed story. The combination of archaeology, critical analysis of texts and modern methods continues to demonstrate that even the most studied characters can hide surprises capable of changing what we thought we knew.
