The Marriage of Eurydice and Her Husband’s Rule

Abstract

This chapter, after consideration of the preceding dynastic disarray and violence, begins with discussion of the reign of Amyntas III, the husband of Eurydice, and proceeds to Amyntas’ two known marriages. It notes the fundamental problems with chronology that characterize the period and the failures of Amyntas’ reign, particularly the issue of whether he was forced to flee his kingdom once or twice. It also assesses his achievements, chiefly increased dynastic stability, in the later stages of his reign. The chapter then discusses Amyntas’ marriages: he had three sons by Eurydice and three by Gygaea. This chapter argues that Amyntas was polygamous and Gygaea was likely the second of the two wives. Amyntas’ marriage to Eurydice was a political alliance, related to the Illyrian invasion of Macedonia, but whether Eurydice herself was partly Illyrian remains disputed because of the uncertain ethnic identity of her mysterious father Sirras. This chapter considers it likely that her father was Illyrian. The chapter finishes with a discussion of the possible reasons for the consecutive succession of each of Eurydice’s three sons and the failure of any of Gygaea’s sons to rule.