Macedon, Ancient History, Greece

Related Category: Ancient History, Greece

Macedon[mas´udon] Pronunciation Key, ancient country, roughly equivalent to the modern region of Macedonia. In the history of Greek culture Macedon had its single significance in producing the conquerors and armies who created the Hellenistic empires and civilizations.

Macedon proper constituted the coast plain NW, N, and NE of the Chalcidice (now KhalkidhikI) peninsula; Upper Macedon was the highland to the west and the north of the plain. The plain was fertile and productive, and there were important silver mines in the eastern part. The population of the region was complex when first known and included Anatolian peoples as well as several Hellenic groups. The capital of Macedon from c.400 to 167 B.C. was Pella.