PHILIP

n.

born 238

died 179 BC, Amphipolis, Macedonia

King of Macedonia (221–179).

Son of Demetrius II, he succeeded Antigonus Doson. He supported the Hellenic League against Sparta, Aetolia, and Elis (220–217), allying himself with Hannibal in 215 and attacking Roman client states in Illyria. Rome responded in the First Macedonian War . Intrigue against Egypt and Philip's unsuccessful sea battle with Rhodes and Pergamum led Rome to initiate the Second Macedonian War, in which it prevailed at Cynoscephalae (197). Rome's harsh terms eased after Philip made common cause against its Greek foes. Fearing that Rome would turn on him again, he attempted to expand by attacking the Balkans (184, 183, 181); he died on a fourth attempt in 179.