El Panatenaico de Isócrates: 3- Las cartas a los Macedonios

Abstract

Isocrates' four letters to the Macedonian rulers (II, III, IV and V) belong to the latter years of his life and are therefore of great importance for a right understanding not only of his political attitude towards Philip II, but also of the purpose and meaning of the Panathenaicus. All four letters are to be regarded as genuine, although letter IV to Antipater (to be dated 340) was perhaps written under the guidance of Isocrates by the person he recommended, a certain Diodotos. Letter II is to be dated earlier than spring 344 – when Philip's intervention in the Thessalian affairs took place causing unrest in Athens. Letter V to Alexander the Great was written between 343-342 and raised no political issue: It reflects only Isocrates' concern about the education of the Macedonian prince. Letter III, which eulogized so heavily Philip's policy was by no means written after the Athenian defeat at Chaironeia, because it discredits Isocratean patriotism and contradicts the ancient biographical tradition which speaks unanimously about the suicide of our orator a few days after the battle. No letter was therefore written after the Panathenaicus. Isocrates didn’t write openly to Philip about politics after spring 344.