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Polyaenus – 2nd Century Macedonian Rhetorician
By Risto Stefov
[email protected]
May 2, 2010
From time to time my readers ask me to write an article about their favourite subject. This article I dedicate to TrueMacedonian who not only provided the research material for it but was also a major contributor to the series “Come take a ride in Tito’s time Machine”. Thank you again TrueMacedonian and this one is for you!
Polyaenus was a 2nd century AD Macedonian rhetorician and pleader who, while living in Rome , authored the books entitled Strategica (or Strategemata), which he dedicated to the Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus during the outbreak of the Parthian War (162–165 AD). http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/top ... /Polyaenus
The Strategica, still in existence, is a historical collection of stratagems and maxims of military strategy written in Greek and put together in the form of anecdotes. The Strategica also includes examples of wisdom, courage and cunning from civil and political life and is comprised of eight books in total. Parts of the sixth and seventh book unfortunately have been lost.
Because he wrote in the so-called “Greek” language, was Polyaenus a “Greek” as the fake Modern Greeks would like us believe or was he a “Macedonian” as he referred to himself and spoke and wrote in Alexander’s Koine, by then an international language? Why believe the Greeks or take my word for it, let us see what Polyaenus himself has to say;
“PREFACTORY ADDRESS TO THE EMPERORS ANTONINUS AND VERUS.
The expedition, you sacred majesties, Antininus and Verus, have undertaken against Persia and the Parthians, the gods, your own virtue, and the Roman bravery that have ever hereto crowned your arms with conquest, will now also attend with success. I, who am by birth a Macedonian, and have therefore as it were a national right to victory over the Persians, have determined not to be entirely useless to you at the present crisis: and were my constitution robust and hale as it has been, you should not want in me convincing proofs of a Macedonian spirit. Nor, advanced as I am in years, can I bear to be left behind without some efforts of service. Accept, therefore, illustrious chiefs, in a collection of stratagems employed by the most distinguished generals, this brief subsidiary of military science; which by exhibiting as in a picture the fortitude and experience of former commanders, their conduct and operations, and the various successes that attended them, may in some instances possible be of service to yourselves.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. A)
Speaking about Philip II, here is what Polyaenus had to say;
“Philip once broke a Tarentine of rank, who had a command in his army, because he used warm baths: saying ‘you seem a stranger to the Macedonian customs; which do not indulge in use of warm water even to women in child-bed.
2. Engaging the Athenians in Chaeronea , Philip made a sham retreat: when Stratocles the Athenian general, ordered his men to push forwards; crying out ‘we will pursue them to the heart of Macedon.’ Philip coolly observed ‘the Athenians know not how to conquer:’ and ordered his phalanx to keep close and firm, and to retreat slowly, covering themselves with their shields from the attacks of the enemy. As soon as he had by this maneuver drawn them from the advantageous ground, and gained an eminence, he halted; and encouraging his troops to a vigorous attack, made such an impression on the enemy, as soon determined a brilliant victory in his favour.
3. Philip, while encamped against the Thebans, was informed that two of his generals, Aeropus and Damasippus had taken from the stews a singing girl, and introduced her into the camp: and the fact being proved, he banished both of them the kingdom.
4. Having blocked up the city of Thrace , Philip sent to the besieged a flag of truce: who convened an assembly, and introduced to it the flag, anxious to know the enemy’s proposals. Philip in the mean time directed a vigorous attack, and carried the city: while the people were more attentive to the supposed conditions of peace, than the real attacks of war.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 134)
Here is what Polyaenus had to say about Alexander the Great;
“2. Alexander, in his wars, directed his generals to order the Macedonians to shave their faces; that the enemies in engaging might never lay hold of their beards.
3. At the siege of Tyre , Alexander having resolved to join the city which was then insular to the continent, by raising a mound in the surrounding waters, himself first carried a basket of land, which he threw into it. As soon as the Macedonians saw their king at work with his own hands, they all instantly threw aside their robes and soon raised the ground.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 140)
“19. Alexander, when in Hyrcania, having being informed that his character and conduct were aspersed both by the Macedonians and Greeks, assembled his friends, and told them: the situation of his affairs at home required him to send letters to Macedonia, and inform his subjects, that he should certainly return in three years: and he desired his officers at the same time to write letters to their respective friends, to the same purport; which to a man they all did. As soon as the letter-carriers had got about three miles from the camps, he ordered them to be brought back, opened all the letters, and from thence learned the opinions, that everyone entertained of him.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 144)
“24. In Macedonia and among the Greeks, Alexander’s court of justice was plain and simple; but among the barbarians, in order to strike them with the greatest awe, it was mostly splendid and imperial. In Bactria , Hyrcania, and India when he heard causes, the apparatus and formality of his court were as follows. The pavilion was large enough to contain a hundred table; and was supported by fifty pillars of gold: and the canopy was adorned with various gold ornaments. Stationed around the pavilion within were, first, five hundred Persians dressed in purple and white vests: and next to those an equal number of archers in different dresses of yellow, blue and scarlet. Before those stood five hundred Macedonians, with silver shields, the tallest men that could be picked out. In the middle of the pavilion was a golden throne, on which the monarch sat to hear causes: attended on either side by his guards. Round the pavilion on the outside were arranged a number of elephants, and a thousand Macedonians in the Macedonian habit.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 146)
Notice how Polyaenus distinguishes between Macedonians and Greeks. “…conduct were aspersed both by the Macedonians and Greeks,…” and “In Macedonia and among the Greeks…”. This should have been a glaring clue to our southern friends that Polyaenus was no Greek and neither were the Macedonians he spoke about. But, as we all know when it comes to the Modern fake Greeks, truth has nothing to do with anything, for them it is “truth” only if it serves their purposes and political agenda. Therefore it is time to dispense with the Greek lies and their control over us!
It is time for us to take hold of our heritage and let our destiny takes its course! We are Macedonians, we were Macedonians since the term was coined because we are a product of Macedonia , the very land that made us who we are and we will always be Macedonians no matter what our enemies tell us and in spite of their objections.
We are who we are and calling us differently or demanding that we change our name or identity will change nothing. We will remain who we are. Enough with the lies and deception! You haven’t changed us in two centuries what makes you think that you can succeed now?
Macedonians have been assimilated by others for many years yet we have assimilated no one. Macedonia and the Macedonian people have not only been a source of knowledge and enlightenment for others but have also been a source of people who have populated many of the modern nations including the new fake nations Greece and Bulgaria which have survived under Great Power protection and can only thrive at our expense. It was not enough for them to just take our lands, history and heritage; they had to take our people; assimilate them and turn them against us. How long has this being going on? How many epochs and centuries has this been done and how many generations of Macedonians have been assimilated and turned against us? Rome was just a City State , where did it get its populations; armies, administrators, etc., to conquer the world and hold it captive for over a millennium? Same goes with the Ottomans; they were only a handful of men when they arrived at the shores of Asia Minor !
Like Tone, a Slovenian Professor and friend of the Macedonian people has said (see comments that follow) “the Macedonian and Slovenian people are the first Europeans to grace the Balkans” no matter what others say. So now more than ever it is time for all Macedonians to embrace who we really are; the descendents of the primordial people of the Balkans.
Feedback from Tone, a professor and friend of the Macedonians from Slovenia ;
Dragi Risto,
I noticed that some of your Makedontsi reject the idea that they have a “Slav” heritage. What would they prefer to be instead, Greeks, Turks or Romaioi?
Please let them know from me that the Makedontsi are the descendants of the primordial people, now known as the South Slavs , who inhabited much of the Balkan Peninsula since Paleolithic times, a period of at least 40,000 years, but possibly even for 70,000 years if not 100,000 years. Makedontsi should be proud of this, as more and more
Sloventsi are proud to be the descendants of the primordial West Slavs , even if we have a
shorter history than the Makedontsi.
Other people, who now claim to be South Slavs , e.g. Croats, Serbs, Bulgars, are late comers who occupied parts of previously owned Slovenski or Makedonski territories and denationalized and assimilated the aboriginal Makedontsi and Sloventsi. They are by origin East Slavs mixed with other non-Slavic people.
Similarly, as your articles have shown, ancient Greeks are relatively late comers, who arrived around 1700 BC, to the otherwise Makedonski regions.
Your people, today’s Macedonians should be aware of these facts and proud to be who they really are by origin Makedontsi; south Slavs and not East Slavs with admixtures.
Lep pozdrav,
Tone
Tone is right! The Macedonian heritage extends back many millenniums and the Macedonian people have not only contributed much enlightenment to building many civilizations in the past but have also contributed people for building many nations just as they today contribute people to build the fake Greek and Bulgarian nations.
Let others call us what they like but let us be true to who we really are, Macedonians; the primordial people of the Balkans, the first Europeans to grace Europe, the makers of civilizations, the contributors of people to many nations.
I believe Tone when he says that the so-called “Slavs”, a term coined in the 6th century A.D., are the first Europeans because I know for years now, since Slovenia gained its independence from Yugoslavia , Slovenian scientists and historians have been searching for their origins and what they discovered points directly to what Tone is telling us. We are, by any name, the first Europeans and let us not let anyone take that away from us; especially our enemies who not only have aims to steal our heritage away from us but to also eradicate us from the face of this earth!
We know exactly how the fake Modern Balkan nations were created in the 19th century; by occupying our lands and by assimilating our people and now they have become our masters and hold us captive by their lies and deception. It is time to break free and let our destiny take its natural course.
And as POLYBIUS once said: "...The rule of the Macedonians in Europe extended only from the lands bordering the Adriatic to the Danube , which would appear to be no more than a small fraction of the continent...." BOOK I (Page 42 of PC edition). (Posted by Indigen at http://www.macedoniantruth.org/forum/)
We were all Macedonians then and what have we become now?
Other articles by Risto Stefov:
By Risto Stefov
[email protected]
May 2, 2010
From time to time my readers ask me to write an article about their favourite subject. This article I dedicate to TrueMacedonian who not only provided the research material for it but was also a major contributor to the series “Come take a ride in Tito’s time Machine”. Thank you again TrueMacedonian and this one is for you!
Polyaenus was a 2nd century AD Macedonian rhetorician and pleader who, while living in Rome , authored the books entitled Strategica (or Strategemata), which he dedicated to the Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus during the outbreak of the Parthian War (162–165 AD). http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/top ... /Polyaenus
The Strategica, still in existence, is a historical collection of stratagems and maxims of military strategy written in Greek and put together in the form of anecdotes. The Strategica also includes examples of wisdom, courage and cunning from civil and political life and is comprised of eight books in total. Parts of the sixth and seventh book unfortunately have been lost.
Because he wrote in the so-called “Greek” language, was Polyaenus a “Greek” as the fake Modern Greeks would like us believe or was he a “Macedonian” as he referred to himself and spoke and wrote in Alexander’s Koine, by then an international language? Why believe the Greeks or take my word for it, let us see what Polyaenus himself has to say;
“PREFACTORY ADDRESS TO THE EMPERORS ANTONINUS AND VERUS.
The expedition, you sacred majesties, Antininus and Verus, have undertaken against Persia and the Parthians, the gods, your own virtue, and the Roman bravery that have ever hereto crowned your arms with conquest, will now also attend with success. I, who am by birth a Macedonian, and have therefore as it were a national right to victory over the Persians, have determined not to be entirely useless to you at the present crisis: and were my constitution robust and hale as it has been, you should not want in me convincing proofs of a Macedonian spirit. Nor, advanced as I am in years, can I bear to be left behind without some efforts of service. Accept, therefore, illustrious chiefs, in a collection of stratagems employed by the most distinguished generals, this brief subsidiary of military science; which by exhibiting as in a picture the fortitude and experience of former commanders, their conduct and operations, and the various successes that attended them, may in some instances possible be of service to yourselves.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. A)
Speaking about Philip II, here is what Polyaenus had to say;
“Philip once broke a Tarentine of rank, who had a command in his army, because he used warm baths: saying ‘you seem a stranger to the Macedonian customs; which do not indulge in use of warm water even to women in child-bed.
2. Engaging the Athenians in Chaeronea , Philip made a sham retreat: when Stratocles the Athenian general, ordered his men to push forwards; crying out ‘we will pursue them to the heart of Macedon.’ Philip coolly observed ‘the Athenians know not how to conquer:’ and ordered his phalanx to keep close and firm, and to retreat slowly, covering themselves with their shields from the attacks of the enemy. As soon as he had by this maneuver drawn them from the advantageous ground, and gained an eminence, he halted; and encouraging his troops to a vigorous attack, made such an impression on the enemy, as soon determined a brilliant victory in his favour.
3. Philip, while encamped against the Thebans, was informed that two of his generals, Aeropus and Damasippus had taken from the stews a singing girl, and introduced her into the camp: and the fact being proved, he banished both of them the kingdom.
4. Having blocked up the city of Thrace , Philip sent to the besieged a flag of truce: who convened an assembly, and introduced to it the flag, anxious to know the enemy’s proposals. Philip in the mean time directed a vigorous attack, and carried the city: while the people were more attentive to the supposed conditions of peace, than the real attacks of war.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 134)
Here is what Polyaenus had to say about Alexander the Great;
“2. Alexander, in his wars, directed his generals to order the Macedonians to shave their faces; that the enemies in engaging might never lay hold of their beards.
3. At the siege of Tyre , Alexander having resolved to join the city which was then insular to the continent, by raising a mound in the surrounding waters, himself first carried a basket of land, which he threw into it. As soon as the Macedonians saw their king at work with his own hands, they all instantly threw aside their robes and soon raised the ground.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 140)
“19. Alexander, when in Hyrcania, having being informed that his character and conduct were aspersed both by the Macedonians and Greeks, assembled his friends, and told them: the situation of his affairs at home required him to send letters to Macedonia, and inform his subjects, that he should certainly return in three years: and he desired his officers at the same time to write letters to their respective friends, to the same purport; which to a man they all did. As soon as the letter-carriers had got about three miles from the camps, he ordered them to be brought back, opened all the letters, and from thence learned the opinions, that everyone entertained of him.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 144)
“24. In Macedonia and among the Greeks, Alexander’s court of justice was plain and simple; but among the barbarians, in order to strike them with the greatest awe, it was mostly splendid and imperial. In Bactria , Hyrcania, and India when he heard causes, the apparatus and formality of his court were as follows. The pavilion was large enough to contain a hundred table; and was supported by fifty pillars of gold: and the canopy was adorned with various gold ornaments. Stationed around the pavilion within were, first, five hundred Persians dressed in purple and white vests: and next to those an equal number of archers in different dresses of yellow, blue and scarlet. Before those stood five hundred Macedonians, with silver shields, the tallest men that could be picked out. In the middle of the pavilion was a golden throne, on which the monarch sat to hear causes: attended on either side by his guards. Round the pavilion on the outside were arranged a number of elephants, and a thousand Macedonians in the Macedonian habit.” (“Polyaenus, Stratagems of War”, Translated from the Original Greek by R. Shepherd, F.R.S., Pall Mall , London , 1793, pp. 146)
Notice how Polyaenus distinguishes between Macedonians and Greeks. “…conduct were aspersed both by the Macedonians and Greeks,…” and “In Macedonia and among the Greeks…”. This should have been a glaring clue to our southern friends that Polyaenus was no Greek and neither were the Macedonians he spoke about. But, as we all know when it comes to the Modern fake Greeks, truth has nothing to do with anything, for them it is “truth” only if it serves their purposes and political agenda. Therefore it is time to dispense with the Greek lies and their control over us!
It is time for us to take hold of our heritage and let our destiny takes its course! We are Macedonians, we were Macedonians since the term was coined because we are a product of Macedonia , the very land that made us who we are and we will always be Macedonians no matter what our enemies tell us and in spite of their objections.
We are who we are and calling us differently or demanding that we change our name or identity will change nothing. We will remain who we are. Enough with the lies and deception! You haven’t changed us in two centuries what makes you think that you can succeed now?
Macedonians have been assimilated by others for many years yet we have assimilated no one. Macedonia and the Macedonian people have not only been a source of knowledge and enlightenment for others but have also been a source of people who have populated many of the modern nations including the new fake nations Greece and Bulgaria which have survived under Great Power protection and can only thrive at our expense. It was not enough for them to just take our lands, history and heritage; they had to take our people; assimilate them and turn them against us. How long has this being going on? How many epochs and centuries has this been done and how many generations of Macedonians have been assimilated and turned against us? Rome was just a City State , where did it get its populations; armies, administrators, etc., to conquer the world and hold it captive for over a millennium? Same goes with the Ottomans; they were only a handful of men when they arrived at the shores of Asia Minor !
Like Tone, a Slovenian Professor and friend of the Macedonian people has said (see comments that follow) “the Macedonian and Slovenian people are the first Europeans to grace the Balkans” no matter what others say. So now more than ever it is time for all Macedonians to embrace who we really are; the descendents of the primordial people of the Balkans.
Feedback from Tone, a professor and friend of the Macedonians from Slovenia ;
Dragi Risto,
I noticed that some of your Makedontsi reject the idea that they have a “Slav” heritage. What would they prefer to be instead, Greeks, Turks or Romaioi?
Please let them know from me that the Makedontsi are the descendants of the primordial people, now known as the South Slavs , who inhabited much of the Balkan Peninsula since Paleolithic times, a period of at least 40,000 years, but possibly even for 70,000 years if not 100,000 years. Makedontsi should be proud of this, as more and more
Sloventsi are proud to be the descendants of the primordial West Slavs , even if we have a
shorter history than the Makedontsi.
Other people, who now claim to be South Slavs , e.g. Croats, Serbs, Bulgars, are late comers who occupied parts of previously owned Slovenski or Makedonski territories and denationalized and assimilated the aboriginal Makedontsi and Sloventsi. They are by origin East Slavs mixed with other non-Slavic people.
Similarly, as your articles have shown, ancient Greeks are relatively late comers, who arrived around 1700 BC, to the otherwise Makedonski regions.
Your people, today’s Macedonians should be aware of these facts and proud to be who they really are by origin Makedontsi; south Slavs and not East Slavs with admixtures.
Lep pozdrav,
Tone
Tone is right! The Macedonian heritage extends back many millenniums and the Macedonian people have not only contributed much enlightenment to building many civilizations in the past but have also contributed people for building many nations just as they today contribute people to build the fake Greek and Bulgarian nations.
Let others call us what they like but let us be true to who we really are, Macedonians; the primordial people of the Balkans, the first Europeans to grace Europe, the makers of civilizations, the contributors of people to many nations.
I believe Tone when he says that the so-called “Slavs”, a term coined in the 6th century A.D., are the first Europeans because I know for years now, since Slovenia gained its independence from Yugoslavia , Slovenian scientists and historians have been searching for their origins and what they discovered points directly to what Tone is telling us. We are, by any name, the first Europeans and let us not let anyone take that away from us; especially our enemies who not only have aims to steal our heritage away from us but to also eradicate us from the face of this earth!
We know exactly how the fake Modern Balkan nations were created in the 19th century; by occupying our lands and by assimilating our people and now they have become our masters and hold us captive by their lies and deception. It is time to break free and let our destiny take its natural course.
And as POLYBIUS once said: "...The rule of the Macedonians in Europe extended only from the lands bordering the Adriatic to the Danube , which would appear to be no more than a small fraction of the continent...." BOOK I (Page 42 of PC edition). (Posted by Indigen at http://www.macedoniantruth.org/forum/)
We were all Macedonians then and what have we become now?
Other articles by Risto Stefov:
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