Affairs of MACEDONIA, from the Reign of PERDICCAS Son of ALEXANDER, to the Establishment of PHILIP Son of AMYNTAS

SECTION I

Macedonian Constitution. Macedonian Territory. State of Macedonia under Perdiccas Son of Alexander. Splendid and beneficial Reign of Archelaus Son of Perdiccas

While among the numerous, states of Greece, and their extensive colonies, security for civil freedom had been vainly sought in various forms of republics, and permanence of public strength had equally failed in experiment of various systems of confederacy, there remained, on the northern border, a people of Grecian race, who held yet their hereditary monarchy, transmitted from the heroïc ages. This, as we have seen formerly, in treating of the times described by Homer, was a limited monarchy, bearing a striking resemblance to the antient constitution of England, and, in his age, prevailing throughout Greece. Of the countries which preserved this constitution, the principal in extent and power, and the most known to us, was the kingdom of Macedonia; whose affairs, for their implication with those of the leading republics, have already occurred for frequent mention. According to the concurring testimony of antient writers, who have treated of Macedonia, the king was supreme, but not despotic. The chief object of his office, as in the English constitution, was to be conservator of the peace of his kingdom; for which great purpose he was vested with the first military and the first judicial authority; he commanded the army, and he presided over the administration of justice.