The Dedication of Philip V of Macedon in the Lindian Chronicle and the Problems of Its Interpretation

In this paper is analyzed one record in epigraphic monument, found in the temple of Athena Lindia at the island of Rhodes. It is about a dedication by Philip V of Macedon (221 – 179 BC), which is read as follows: “King Philip: ten skirmisher shields, ten sarissas, ten helmets. On which has been inscribed: ‘King of the Macedonians, Philip, son of King Demetrius, having been victorious over the Dardanians and [the Maedians?], to Athena Lindia’, as the public records of the Lindians testify”. Commented are the different readings and the issues raised by the content of the inscription. It is accepted in historiography that there were two defeated ethnic groups: with some degree of probability the name of the Dardanians is restored, while from the second ethnonym not a single letter is legible. Methodological shortcomings of modern solutions for placing the information in a historical context are pointed out. It is assumed – according to the information from the Lindos Chronicle about a dedication of Alexander III the Great (336 – 323 BC) after a significant military victory – that Philip's successes must have been commensurate with these of Alexander. Thus, the dating of the battles conditionally to 204 BC is justified. Then, according to Diodorus, Philip V achieved a great victory over the Dardanians, that ended with 10,000 casualties. This victory is connected with an epigram of Antipater of Sidon, in which the Macedonian king is called “destroyer of the Dardanians”. At the same time, as it is suggested on the basis of fragments of Polybius, Philip V campaigned in Thrace. In one of these fragments the Thracians Digerri were mentioned; they inhabited near the Strymon (Struma) River. Unfortunately, the context of the information is unknown, but if it is really about military actions, as is suggested in the historiography, then it is unlikely that the Maedians have been remained unaffected. It is noted that a possible victory over the Maedians in 204 BC may explain their disappearance of ancient texts in the following decade