Philip’s Letter

For, if it belongs to the original conquerors, have not we a right to hold it? It was my ancestor, Alexander,[*](Readers of Herodotus will remember Alexander, who after Salamis tried to tempt the Athenians to desert the Greek cause (Hdt. 8.140), but made amends by revealing to them the decision of the Persians before Plataea (Hdt. 9.44); and also the statue erected at Delphi from the plunder of Salamis (Hdt. 8.121). But Amphipolis was not in existence at the time, nor were the Persians in their retreat attacked by Macedonians but by Thracians (Hdt. 9.89). Perhaps the Macedonians had their own history of the Persian invasion.) who first occupied the site, and, as the first-fruits of the Persian captives taken there, set up a golden statue at Delphi. Or if anyone disputes this and claims it for its later owners, here again the right is mine, because I besieged and captured the city, after its inhabitants had expelled you and accepted the Lacedaemonians as their founders.[*](Brasidas, after his death in 422, was worshipped at Amphipolis as hero and founder in place of Hagnon (Thuc. 5.11).)

Yet we all of us occupy our cities either by inheritance from our ancestors or by right of conquest in war. But you, who were not the first to take Amphipolis, who do not possess it today, and who made the briefest sojourn in that district, now lay claim to the city, and that in spite of your own most solemn assurances in my favour. For I wrote to you again and again on the subject, and you acknowledged that I was in the right by making peace with me at a time when I was in occupation of the city, and subsequently by concluding an alliance with me on the same terms.

Yet what stronger title to possession could there be than that the city was originally inherited by me from my ancestors, was again captured by me in war, and thirdly was conceded to me by you, who are in the habit of claiming even that to which you have no shadow of a right?

Such are the complaints I have to make. As you were the aggressors and, thanks to my forbearance, are making still further attacks on my interests and doing me all the harm in your power, I shall defend myself, with justice on my side, and, calling the gods to witness, I shall bring my dispute with you to an issue.