Aeropus II of Macedon
King of Macedonia from 398/7 to 394/3 BC
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Aeropus II (Ancient Greek: Ἀέροπος, romanized: Aéropos), son of Perdiccas II, was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia from 398/7 until his death from illness in July or August of 394/3 BC.[2][3] He first governed as guardian (epitropos)[a] for his young nephew Orestes when Archelaus died in 400/399 BC. However, Diodorus reports that Aeropus murdered Orestes three years later, but it is also possible that he had simply won the support of the Macedonian nobility.[5][6] As king, he might have taken the name Archelaus.[1] Aeropus had a son named Pausanias, but was succeeded instead by Amyntas II, possibly son of his great-uncle Menelaus.[7]
| Aeropus II | |
|---|---|
Silver stater of Aeropos II | |
| King of Macedonia | |
| Reign | 398/7 – July/August 394/3 BC[1] |
| Predecessor | Orestes |
| Successor | Amyntas II |
| Died | July/August 394/3 BC |
| Issue | Pausanias |
| Dynasty | Argead |
| Father | Perdiccas II |
| Religion | Ancient Greek religion |
Two traditions relate how Aeropus was overawed by either the insolence[8][9] or the stratagems[10] of the Lacedaemonian king Agesilaus, allowing his armies free passage through Macedonia after their campaign in Asia.
There is a minority view among scholars that Aeropus was a Lyncestian prince, rather than an Argead, who married into the dynasty, therefore enabling him later to become regent for Orestes.[11] However, the majority of historians believe Aeropus to have been Perdiccas' son and thus a member of the dynasty.[2][7][12][13]