First Macedonian War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Macedonian War
Part of the Macedonian Wars and the Second Punic War
The Mediterranean in 218 BC
Date 214–205 BC Location Macedonia and Illyria Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Roman Republic Illyrians Aetolian League Attalid kingdom Sparta Elis Messenia Dardania	Macedonia Achaean League
Commanders and leaders
Marcus Valerius Laevinus Scerdilaidas Attalus I Machanidas  † Longarus	Philip V of Macedon Philopoemen Demetrius of Pharus  †

The First Macedonian War (214–205 BC) was a conflict between the Romans and Philip V of Macedon, the king of Macedonia. Rome was allied with the Aetolian League and Attalus I of Pergamon. This war happened at the same time as the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), where Rome was fighting against Carthage.

There were no major battles that decided the war. It ended in a draw. During this time, Macedonia tried to take control of parts of Illyria, but they didn't succeed. Many historians believe this war kept Philip V from helping the Carthaginian general Hannibal against Rome. The war officially ended with the Peace of Phoenice in 205 BC.

Why the War Started: Demetrius's Advice

Rome was very busy fighting Carthage. This gave Philip V of Macedon a chance to try and expand his power to the west. An important person who encouraged Philip was Demetrius of Pharos.

After an earlier war (the First Illyrian War in 229–228 BC), the Romans had made Demetrius a ruler in coastal Illyria. But later, he turned against Rome, attacking their allies and trade ships. In 219 BC, during the Second Illyrian War, Demetrius was defeated by the Romans. He then ran away to live at King Philip's court.

Philip was fighting a war with the Aetolians when he heard about Hannibal's big victory over the Romans at Lake Trasimene in June 217 BC. Philip only told Demetrius about this news at first. Demetrius saw a chance to get his kingdom back. He quickly told Philip to make peace with the Aetolians. Then, he advised Philip to focus on Illyria and Italy.

Demetrius told Philip that Greece was already under his control. He said that going into Italy was the first step to ruling a huge empire. He also said that now was the perfect time because the Romans had just suffered a big loss. Philip was easily convinced by Demetrius's words.

Philip Makes Peace with Aetolia

Philip immediately started talking with the Aetolians to make peace. They met near Naupactus on the coast. A peace treaty was agreed upon.

A man named Agelaus of Naupactus, an Aetolian, gave a speech supporting peace. He said it was best if Greeks didn't fight each other at all. He believed they should work together to stop "barbarians" (meaning Romans and Carthaginians) from attacking. He warned that if Carthage or Rome won their war, they wouldn't stop at Sicily and Italy. They would expand their power.

Agelaus urged Philip to stop weakening the Greeks by fighting them. Instead, he should protect all of Greece as if it were his own land. If Philip did this, the Greeks would be his friends and help him. Foreigners would then be less likely to attack. He advised Philip to look west towards the wars in Italy. He said Philip should wait for the right moment to try for universal rule. He ended by asking Philip to put off wars with other Greeks. He feared that if the big war in the west came to Greece, they would lose the power to make their own peace or war.

Philip Builds a Fleet

After making peace, Philip spent the winter of 217–216 BC building a fleet. He built 100 warships and trained men to row them. This was unusual for a Macedonian king. Macedonia probably didn't have enough resources to build a fleet as strong as Rome's. Philip knew he couldn't beat the Romans at sea.

So, Philip chose to build small, fast ships called lembi. These were like the ships the Illyrians used. They had one row of oars and could carry 50 soldiers. Philip hoped these ships would help him avoid the Roman fleet. He thought the Roman fleet would be busy with Hannibal in western Sicily.

Philip had also expanded his land towards Illyria. His plan was to take the Illyrian coast first. Then he would conquer the land between the coast and Macedonia. This would create a land route to quickly send help across the narrow sea to Italy.

In early summer, Philip sailed his fleet from Macedonia. He went through the Euripus Strait and around Cape Malea. He stopped near the islands of Cephalenia and Leucas. He was waiting for news about the Roman fleet. When he heard it was still in Sicily, he sailed north to Apollonia in Illyria.

However, as his fleet got close to Sazan, Philip heard that some Roman ships were heading for Apollonia. He thought the whole Roman fleet was coming for him. Philip immediately ordered his ships to return to Cephalenia. His fleet retreated in a panic. In reality, the Romans had only sent ten ships. Because of his "inconsiderate alarm," Philip missed his best chance to achieve his goals in Illyria. He returned to Macedonia without losses, but with dishonor.

Philip Allies with Carthage

After hearing about Rome's terrible defeat by Hannibal at Cannae in 216 BC, Philip sent messengers to Hannibal's camp in Italy. They wanted to make an alliance. In the summer of 215 BC, they signed a treaty.

The treaty said they would support each other and be enemies to each other's enemies. They specifically promised to help each other against Rome. Hannibal would have the right to make peace with Rome, but Philip had to be included in any peace deal. Rome would also have to give up control of several places in Illyria. These included Corcyra, Apollonia, Epidamnus, Pharos, Dimale, Parthini, and Atintania. They also agreed to give back Demetrius of Pharos's friends who were under Roman rule.

The treaty didn't mention Philip invading Italy. The earlier failure at Sazan might have made Philip less interested in such a plan. Hannibal might not have wanted it anyway.

On their way back to Macedonia, Philip's messengers and Hannibal's messengers were captured. They were caught by Publius Valerius Flaccus, who commanded the Roman fleet. A letter from Hannibal to Philip and the details of their agreement were found.

This alliance between Philip and Carthage worried Rome a lot. Rome was already struggling in its war. They quickly prepared twenty-five more warships. These joined Flaccus's fleet of twenty-five ships already at Tarentum. The orders were to guard the Italian Adriatic coast. They also had to find out Philip's plans. If needed, they were to cross to Macedonia and keep Philip stuck there.

War Breaks Out in Illyria

In late summer 214 BC, Philip tried to invade Illyria by sea again. He had a fleet of 120 lembi. He captured Oricum, which was not well defended. Then he sailed up the Aous (modern Vjosë) river and attacked Apollonia.

Meanwhile, the Romans had moved their fleet to Brundisium. They continued to watch Philip's movements. A Roman army was sent to help, all under the command of Marcus Valerius Laevinus. When Laevinus heard about what was happening in Illyria, he crossed over with his fleet and army. He landed at Oricum and easily took the town back.

Laevinus then heard that Apollonia was under attack. He sent 2,000 men under Quintus Naevius Crista to the river mouth. Crista avoided Philip's army and entered the city at night without being seen. The next night, Crista surprised Philip's forces. He attacked their camp and defeated them. Philip escaped to his ships in the river. He then traveled over the mountains back to Macedonia. He burned his fleet and left behind many thousands of his men who had died or been captured. He also lost all his army's supplies. Laevinus and his fleet stayed at Oricum for the winter.

Philip had failed twice to invade Illyria by sea. Now, Laevinus's fleet controlled the Adriatic Sea. So, Philip spent the next two years (213–212 BC) expanding his power in Illyria by land. He stayed away from the coast. He took Dassaretis, Atintani, Parthini, and the town of Dimale.

He finally reached the Adriatic Sea by capturing Lissus. This city had a very strong fortress. After Lissus fell, the areas around it surrendered. Taking Lissus might have made Philip hope for an Italian invasion again. However, losing his fleet meant he would now depend on Carthage for travel to and from Italy. This made the idea of invading Italy much less appealing.

Rome Seeks Allies in Greece

Rome wanted to stop Philip from helping Carthage in Italy. So, Rome looked for allies in Greece.

Laevinus had started exploring an alliance with the Aetolian League as early as 212 BC. The Aetolians were tired of war. They had made peace with Philip at Naupactus in 217 BC. But five years later, the group that wanted war was stronger. The Aetolians were again thinking about fighting their old enemy, Macedonia.

In 211 BC, an Aetolian meeting was held to talk with Rome. Laevinus pointed out that Rome had recently captured Syracuse and Capua from Carthage. This showed Rome's growing strength. He offered to ally with them against the Macedonians. They signed a treaty. The Aetolians would fight on land, and the Romans at sea. Rome would keep any slaves and loot they took. Aetolia would get control of any land they gained. The treaty also allowed other allies to join: Elis, Sparta, Messenia, and Attalus I of Pergamon. Two Roman allies, the Illyrians Pleuratus and Scerdilaidas, could also join.

Campaign in Greece

Later that summer, Laevinus captured the main town of Zacynthus, except for its fortress. He also took the Acarnanian town of Oeniadae and the island of Nasos. He gave these to the Aetolians. Then he took his fleet to Corcyra for the winter.

When Philip heard about Rome's alliance with Aetolia, he first secured his northern borders. He raided Illyria at Oricum and Apollonia. He also seized Sintia, a border town in Dardania or Paionia. Then he marched south quickly through several regions to Tempe. He left 4,000 men there to guard it. He then turned north into Thrace, attacking the Maedi and their main city, Iamphorynna. After that, he returned to Macedonia.

As soon as Philip arrived, he received an urgent plea for help from his ally, the Achaean League. Scopas, the Aetolian general, had gathered his army. He was preparing to invade Acarnania. The Acarnanians were desperate and outnumbered, but they were determined to fight. They sent their women, children, and old men to safety in Epirus. The rest marched to the border, swearing to fight to the death. They even put a terrible curse on anyone who broke their oath. When the Aetolians heard about the Acarnanians' strong resolve, they hesitated. Then, learning that Philip was approaching, they finally gave up their invasion. Philip then went back to Pella for the winter.

In the spring of 210 BC, Laevinus sailed from Corcyra again with his fleet. Together with the Aetolians, they captured Phocian Anticyra. Rome enslaved the people, and Aetolia took control of the town.

Even though some Greeks feared Rome, the group against Philip continued to grow. As the treaty allowed, Pergamon, Elis, and Messenia, followed by Sparta, all agreed to join the alliance against Macedonia. The Roman fleet, with the Pergamene fleet, controlled the sea. Macedonia and its allies were threatened on land by the rest of the group. Rome's plan to keep Philip busy with a war among Greeks was working. It worked so well that when Laevinus went to Rome to become a consul, he could report that the army fighting Philip could be safely pulled back.

However, Elis, Messenia, and Sparta did not do much fighting in 210 BC. Philip continued to advance. He attacked and took Echinus, using many siege machines. He had pushed back an attempt to help the town by the Aetolian general Dorimachus and the Roman fleet, now led by Publius Sulpicius Galba. Moving west, Philip probably also took Phalara, the port city of Lamia. Sulpicius and Dorimachus took Aegina, an island in the Saronic Gulf. The Aetolians sold this island to Attalus, the Pergamene king, for thirty talents. Attalus would use it as his base to attack Macedonia in the Aegean Sea.

In the spring of 209 BC, Philip received requests for help from his ally, the Achaean League. They were in the Peloponnesus and were being attacked by Sparta and the Aetolians. Philip also heard that Attalus had been chosen as one of the two main commanders of the Aetolian League. There were also rumors that Attalus planned to cross the Aegean Sea from Asia Minor. Philip marched south into Greece. At Lamia, he met an Aetolian force. This force had Roman and Pergamene soldiers helping them. They were led by Pyrrhias, Attalus's fellow general. Philip won two battles at Lamia. He caused many losses for Pyrrhias's troops. The Aetolians and their allies had to retreat inside the city walls. They stayed there, unwilling to fight.

Peace Talks Fail

From Lamia, Philip went to Phalara. There, he met people from neutral states like Egypt, Rhodes, Athens, and Chios. They were trying to end the war. As trading states, the war was likely hurting their business. They were worried about the freedom of Greece. They feared it would be in danger if Philip and his kingdom became too involved in Greek politics. With them was Amynandor of Athamania, representing the Aetolians. They arranged a thirty-day truce and a peace meeting in Achaea.

Philip marched to Chalcis in Euboea. He put soldiers there to stop Attalus from landing. Then he continued to Aegium for the meeting. The meeting was stopped by a report that Attalus had arrived at Aegina. The Roman fleet was at Naupactus. The Aetolian representatives felt stronger because of this news. They immediately demanded that Philip return Pylos to the Messenians, Atintania to Rome, and the Ardiaei to Scerdilaidas and Pleuratus. Philip was "indignant." He left the talks, telling everyone that they "might bear him witness that whilst he was seeking a basis for peace, the other side were determined to find a pretext for war."

Fighting Starts Again

From Naupactus, Sulpicius sailed east to Corinth and Sicyon, raiding those areas. Philip, with his cavalry, caught the Romans on land. He was able to push them back to their ships. The Romans then returned to Naupactus.

Philip then joined Cycliadas, the Achaean general, near Dyme. They planned a joint attack on the city of Elis. This was the main Aetolian base against Achaea. However, Sulpicius had sailed into Cyllene and sent 4,000 Roman troops to help Elis. Philip led a charge but was thrown from his horse. He fought on foot and became the target of a fierce battle. He finally escaped on another horse. The next day, Philip captured the stronghold of Phyricus. He took 4,000 prisoners and 20,000 animals. Hearing news of Illyrian attacks in the north, Philip left Aetolia and returned to Demetrias in Thessaly.

Meanwhile, Sulpicius sailed into the Aegean Sea and joined Attalus on Aegina for the winter. In 208 BC, their combined fleet of thirty-five Pergamene and twenty-five Roman ships failed to take Lemnos. But they did occupy and plunder the countryside of Peparethos (Skopelos), both Macedonian lands.

Attalus and Sulpicius then went to a meeting in Heraclea Trachinia. This was a meeting of the Aetolian Council. Representatives from Egypt and Rhodes were also there, still trying to arrange peace. Philip learned about the meeting and Attalus's presence. He marched south quickly to break up the meeting and catch the enemy leaders. But he arrived too late.

Philip was surrounded by enemies. He had to change to a defensive strategy. He spread out his commanders and forces. He set up a system of beacon fires on high places. This allowed him to instantly communicate any enemy movements.

After leaving Heraclea, Attalus and Sulpicius attacked and looted Oreus on the northern coast of Euboea, and Opus, the main city of eastern Locris. The loot from Oreus was for Sulpicius, who returned there. Attalus stayed to collect the loot from Opus. However, with their forces split, Philip was alerted by a signal fire. He attacked and took Opus. Attalus was surprised and barely escaped to his ships.

The War Ends

Philip saw Attalus's escape as a bitter defeat. But it turned out to be the turning point of the war. Attalus had to return to Pergamon. He learned at Opus that Prusias I, king of Bithynia, was attacking Pergamon. Prusias was related to Philip by marriage and might have been urged by Philip to attack. Sulpicius returned to Aegina. With the pressure from the combined Roman and Pergamene fleets gone, Philip could attack the Aetolians again. He captured Thronium, then the towns of Tithronium and Drymaea north of the Cephisus. This gave him control of all of Epicnemidian Locris. He also took back control of Oreus.

The neutral trading powers were still trying to arrange peace. At Elateia, Philip met with the same peacemakers from Egypt and Rhodes. They had been at the previous meeting in Heraclea, and again in the spring of 207 BC, but nothing came of it. Representatives from Egypt, Rhodes, Byzantium, Chios, Mytilene, and perhaps Athens also met with the Aetolians that spring. The war was going Philip's way. But the Aetolians, even though Pergamon and Rome had left them, were not ready to make peace on Philip's terms yet. However, after another season of fighting, they finally gave in. In 206 BC, without Rome's permission, the Aetolians asked for a separate peace. Philip set the conditions.

The following spring, the Romans sent Publius Sempronius Tuditanus with 35 ships and 11,000 men to Dyrrachium in Illyria. There, he encouraged the Parthini to revolt and began to attack Dimale. However, when Philip arrived, Sempronius stopped the attack and went inside the walls of Apollonia. Sempronius tried to get the Aetolians to break their peace with Philip, but he failed. With no more allies in Greece, but having achieved their goal of stopping Philip from helping Hannibal, the Romans were ready for peace. A treaty was made at Phoenice in 205 BC. This was called the "Peace of Phoenice," and it officially ended the First Macedonian War.

See also

• Military history of Greece

Images for kids

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  The ancient Region of Aetolia, Greece

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  The Greek Leagues and Kingdom of Macedonia