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Argead dynasty facts for kids

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The Argead dynasty (Greek: Ἀργεάδαι) was a very old royal family that ruled the ancient kingdom of Macedon. They were in charge from about 700 BC to 310 BC. This family was believed to be related to the famous Greek hero, Heracles. Two of their most famous kings were Philip II of Macedon, who united the Greek city-states, and his son, Alexander the Great. Alexander built a huge empire by defeating the Persian Empire. The Argead dynasty ended after Alexander's death, during a time when his generals fought for control.

The Argead Dynasty: Ancient Kings of Macedon

The Argead family was a powerful group of rulers in ancient Greece. They came from a part of Greece called Argos in the Peloponnese. They traveled north to establish their kingdom in Macedonia. They were the first kings of Macedon and ruled for many centuries.

Who Were the Argeads?

The Argeads were a royal family from ancient Macedon. They were believed to be descendants of Heracles, a legendary Greek hero. This connection gave them a special status among other Greek families. Their kingdom of Macedon grew to be very strong under their rule.

Important Argead Kings

Many kings ruled Macedon as part of the Argead dynasty. Two of them became especially famous in history:

Philip II of Macedon

Philip II of Macedon ruled from 359 BC to 336 BC. He was a brilliant military leader and a clever politician. Philip made the Macedonian army very strong. He used new fighting methods and weapons. He also managed to unite many of the Greek city-states under his leadership. This was a big step towards creating a larger Greek power.

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was Philip II's son. He became king in 336 BC and ruled until 323 BC. Alexander is one of the most famous commanders in history. He led his army to conquer the huge Persian Empire. His empire stretched from Greece all the way to India. Alexander helped spread Greek culture and ideas across a vast area.

The End of the Argead Rule

The Argead dynasty ended after Alexander the Great's death. Alexander had no clear heir who could take over. His generals, known as the Diadochi, began to fight among themselves for control of his vast empire. During these struggles, Alexander's young son, Alexander IV of Macedon, and his mother, Roxana, were murdered. This event marked the end of the Argead family's rule in 310 BC.

List of Argead Kings

Here is a list of the kings from the Argead dynasty:

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See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Dinastía argéada para niños

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