Third Macedonian War

The Third Macedonian War, fought from 171 to 168 BC, ended the independent kingdom of Macedon. After Philip V's death in 179 BC, his son Perseus became king. Perseus strengthened Macedon, built up its army and treasury, and made alliances through marriage, which won him considerable sympathy among ordinary Greeks. Rome grew suspicious of his growing influence, and King Eumenes II of Pergamon, a Roman ally, accused Perseus of plotting war. Rome declared war in 171 BC. In the early campaigns, the Roman commanders performed poorly, and Perseus won some notable successes, including a cavalry victory at Callinicus in Thessaly. But he failed to follow up his advantage and was reluctant to spend his treasury on allies. In 168 BC, the experienced Roman general Lucius Aemilius Paullus took command and decisively defeated Perseus at Pydna. Perseus was captured, paraded in Rome in a triumph and died in captivity. The Macedonian monarchy was abolished, and Macedon was split into four separate republics under Roman supervision. Twenty years later, it became a Roman province.