Women and Monarchy in Macedonia

by Elizabeth Donnelly Carney

In this groundbreaking work, Elizabeth Donnelly Carney examines the role of royal women in the Macedonian Argead dynasty from the sixth century B.C. to 168 B.C. Women were excluded from the exercise of power in most of the Hellenic world. However, Carney shows that the wives, mothers, and daughters of kings played important roles in Macedonian public life and occasionally determined the course of national events. Carney assembles an exhaustive array of evidence on the political role of Argead royal women. She also presents a series of biographical sketches describing the public careers of all the royal women - including Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great, and the warrior Cynnane, his half-sister - whose names are preserved in ancient sources.

Genres: History, Ancient History, Nonfiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2000

Reviews

[Vicki Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

[Joseph Calev · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great work on an important topic related to the rise of Philip II, Alexander III, and the Diadochi. This is easily the best reference for the role of women in these events.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting scholarly overview of ancient Macedonia, focusing on what we know about the women, from the Argeads to the Antigonids.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structure of this book is a bit unusual - with short biographies of relevant women set inside the text with the historical overview. But it works.