Macedon
Macedon
Primary culture
Capital province
Government
State religion
| Military traditions |
Heritage of Kassandros
+5% National manpower
+2 Diplomatic relations
−2 Diplomatic reputation
Macedon is a regional power in the Balkans, controlling much of Macedonia and parts of northern Greece. The ancient homeland of the 
Argead dynasty of Alexander the Great, Macedon begins the game under the rule of Kassandros I Antipatrid, son of the Argead regent Antipatros, having eliminated the remaining Argead claimants to declare himself king some years before. In 450 AUC Macedon is in a difficult position, facing the might of the 
Antigonid Kingdom as it seeks to liberate Greece from Macedonian rule, though the alliance with 
Thrace and the self-interests of 
Egypt and the 
Seleukid Empire who do not want to see the Antigonids grow too powerful offers a path to victory that Macedon may be able to play. Historically, this coalition would prove sufficient to destroy Antigonid power and lead to the collapse of their entire empire allowing Macedon to restore its hegemony over much of Greece, though infighting within the Antipatrid dynasty would see its downfall not long afterwards and control of Macedon passing between the Antigonid, 
Aiakadid, Lysimachid, and Ptolemaic dynasties before the complete collapse of the kingdom during the invasion of the 
Gauls. The kingdom would be restored a few years later under the Antigonid dynasty, who would rule the kingdom until their overthrow in 168 BC at the hands of the 
Romans and the eventual annexation in 146 BC.
If Macedon is destroyed, it can be reformed by decision by any Macedonian-cultured nation (in particular the Antigonid Kingdom) or by Epirus, either by decision or the unique Epirote or Antigonid missions (if the corresponding DLCs are enabled).
Missions[edit]
- Main article: Macedonian missions
With the Heirs of Alexander DLC, Macedon has a unique set of 3 missions focusing on consolidating control over Macedon and fending off the Antigonid invasion to restore the 
League of Corinth, establishing proper Macedonian hegemony over Greece and the greater Aegean region, and extending Macedonian ruler over the Adriatic coasts of Illyria and Italy. These missions are shared with the Antigonid Kingdom, but are not available to any other country even if they reform Macedon.
If both the Antipater's Legacy and Hellenic Mastery mission trees are completed, the Diadochi Empire mission tree will become available, with a focus on restoring the Hellenistic Empire of Alexander the Great. Additionally, regardless of DLC or circumstance, Macedon always has access to the generic missions.
Events[edit]
- Main articles: Diadochi events, Macedonian events
The Wars of the Diadochi[edit]
At start, all the Diadochi states will receive an event that gives them claims on all of the western half of the former Argead Empire and access to the special Legacy of Alexander wargoal, allowing them to easily declare war and conquer much more territory from each other than would be possible in a normal war. For Macedon, these claims will go away on the death of the first ruler.
Fourth War of the Diadochi[edit]
Shortly after the game starts, Macedon will be given an ultimatum by the Antigonid Kingdom to surrender Korinthos (418), their last fortress in southern Greece, or face a resumption of war. If the demands are refused and war breaks out, after a few months Egypt, Seleukid Empire, and eventually Thrace may join the fray, forcing the Antigonids to choose between conceding significant amounts of territory in the Levant - possibly including their capital - or face war against all of the other four Diadochi combined. All of these wars use the Legacy of Alexander wargoal, which drastically increases the stakes of winning or losing the war.
The Antigonid Cause Wavers[edit]
- Main article: The Antigonid Cause Wavers
When Antigonos I Monophthalmos, the starting ruler of the Antigonid Kingdom, dies, their empire will disintegrate if they have not managed to conquer Korinthos (418) from Macedon or have failed to maintained control over a number of key cities scattered across their vast Asian territories. Any ongoing wars against the other Diadochi will end and governors and subjects across the Antigonid realm will begin to defect from the Antigonid cause, forcing the Antigonids to choose between retreating from Asia and maintaining control over their coastal subjects and possessions with their powerful fleet, or abandoning their pretensions to the west to save the Asian core of the kingdom.
Once the event triggers, Macedon will seize control over Caria and Cilicia (if it still exists) and will be given the option to either directly annex those territories or grant them to Kassandros's brother Pleistarchos as the independent (but allied) satrapy of 
Caria. If the Antigonids choose to stay in the east and try to hold on to Asia at the expense of Europe, Macedon will additionally take control of all Antigonid territory and subjects in Greece, except for the Cyclades (generally refering to the 
Nesiotic League. Depending on which choice is made, the other Diadochi will take over similarly large portions of their former empire as well.
Antipatrid Crisis[edit]
A few years into the game, Kassandros and then his heir Philippos IV will fall significantly ill, forcing a succession crisis once the basileus and the primary heir die. Macedon will then have to choose between siding with one of Kassandros's remaining sons - Antipatros II and Alexandros V - with the other starting a 
civil war, or try to force reconciliation and face deep instability in the realm. If civil war breaks out, the rebelling claimant will approach another one of the Hellenic powers for assistance, which in the case of asking for aid from Epirus will involve handing over 
Ambracia and 
Akarnania in exchange. If they had previously fled to Greece, the Antigonid Kingdom will be also be separately approached by the leader of the 
Macedonian Revolt for assistance, to which they can respond by either forming an alliance or betraying the claimant and annexing all of his lands to advance Antigonid ambitions in Macedon. The surviving claimant in Macedon can then respond by declare war or turning to Thrace for assistance - who may in turn either gain an alliance against the Antigonids, or be betrayed as well with Thrace take the rest of Macedon for themselves.
Decisions[edit]
As a Hellenistic culture group monarchy, Macedon has access to the decision to reform the Hellenistic Empire if it can reconquer all of its major cities from Greece to India.
Reunite Alexander's Empire
That one power could not possibly come from any dynasty but our own. Only a family that respects the Argead traditions can legitimately claim its legacy.
Potential requirements
|
Allow
|
Effects
| |
Formation[edit]
Note that with the exception of formation through the Antigonid missions, destroying and then reforming Macedon as another country will not give access to the unique Macedonian missions.
Decision[edit]
If it is destroyed, Macedon can be reformed by any country that either has Macedonian primary culture or began as Epirus (if the Epirus Flavor Pack DLC is not enabled). At the start of the game, the main candidates that fulfill the conditions for forming Macedon by decision are the Antigonid Kingdom and Epirus (without the corresponding DLC) (as the other Diadochi states are considered on the same tier for the purposes of nation formation, though it is theoretically possible for one of them to form Macedon by losing most of their territory and forming 20px Cyprus first, as it is Tier 1 but has no tier restrictions itself). Macedon may also be reformed by successful revolter countries, as well as the eastern Diadochi satrapies of 
Cappadocia, 
Parthia, 
Bactria, and 
Arachosia if they keep their Macedonian primary culture and make their way all the way back to the west. Note that forming Epirus as an Epirote-cultured country, as opposed to starting as that tag, will not give access to the decision.
Form Macedon
The Barons of Macedon have always favored the strong and able over the weak and feeble. Let us seize the kingdom away from those that are leading it to ruin and create a new stronger state for the Macedonians to serve.
Potential requirements
|
Allow
|
Effects
| |
Epirote mission task[edit]
- Main article: Hellenic Contender
If the Epirus Flavor Pack DLC is enabled, Macedon can instead by formed by a task in the Hellenic Contender unique Epirote mission tree as a reward for conquering the core Macedonian region, with similar requirements as the formation decision. Forming Macedon this way will give a somewhat different flag than the starting country or by the formation decision, reflecting the restored kingdom's Epirote origins.
| Mission | Potential | Requirements | Effects | Time | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alexander's Throne |
|
|
|
Instant |
When the Macedonians are once again ruled by a descendant of Achilles, the greatness of the empire may finally be reclaimed. Nothing else in history can surpass the achievements of Macedonians led by Aiakids. |
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Alexander's Throne
We have succeeded in reclaiming the throne of Alexander the Great in Pella, the heart of the Macedonian kingdom, and vanquished the false successor kingdom of Kassandros. Back under Epirote leadership the greatness of Macedon can finally be realized once again.
Trigger conditions
|
Is triggered only by
the Alexander's Throne mission task |
Immediate effects
| |
 Pella will be the heart of the kingdom.
[me_epirus_scope.GetCapital.GetName] remains our center.
| |
Epirote mission. Fully coloured territories are required, while hatched territories will be claimed after formation.Antigonid mission task[edit]
- Main article: Macedonian Aspirations
If the Heirs of Alexander DLC is enabled, Macedon can also by formed by a task in the Macedonian Aspirations unique Antigonid mission tree as a reward for destroying the existing Antipatrid kingdom and conquering its core cities, with less requirements as the formation decision. Uniquely, forming Macedon this way will give a choice between keeping the original Antigonid flag, adopting the usual Macedonian flag, or using either combination of Antigonid and Macedonian colours and flag designs.
| Mission | Potential | Requirements | Effects | Time | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Throne of Alexander |
|
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Instant |
Macedon was seized by the illegitimate Antipatrids, and Ptolemaios's rule has been bloody and unpopular. It is time for a worthy dynasty to rule. |
Throne of Alexander: Home at Last
Our dynasty has succeeded in reclaiming the great capital of the Macedonians and the ancestral tombs of its leaders and warriors from the cursed dynasty of Antipater. The position of the Antigonid dynasty as the rightful kings of Macedon, no longer mere provincial successors of a dead empire, is now secure.
Trigger conditions
|
Is triggered only by
the Throne of Alexander mission task |
Immediate effects
| |
[me_antigonids_scope.GetRuler.GetPraenomen] is the Basileus of Macedon!
This is, and always will be, Antigonos' kingdom.
We rule Macedon, but it is not the Macedon of old.
This is a new chapter in the history of the Macedonians.
| |
Antigonid mission. Fully coloured territories are required, while hatched territories will be claimed after formation.- Macedon (Antigonid Formable) Flags
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Diplomacy[edit]
Macedon begins with 
6 subject states scattered between its neighbours, reflecting its remaining degree of control over Greece and its environs.
In addition, Macedon starts with a 
guarantee on 
Argos.
Pantheon[edit]
Macedon starts with the following pantheon:
- War: Heracles
- Economy: Hermes
- Culture: Zeus
- Fertility: Aphrodite
Population[edit]
Macedon has a 
population of 658 spread over its 
53 territories, mostly Macedonian Hellenic. The provinces of Thessalia and Aetolia are predominantly Thessalian Hellenic and Aetolian Hellenic, respectively, with a few Hebrew Jewish pops scattered in some of the larger cities. Paeonian and Taulantian Hellenic pops also exist along the northern and western borderlands, respectively.
Cultural privileges[edit]
- Thessalian (Hellenistic) -
Integrated culture, 
Citizen rights
Unique deities[edit]
- Main article: Hellenic#Macedonian deities
These deities are available to Macedon or countries formed from Macedon, as long as it is Hellenic, or polytheistic and has enough Hellenic pops / controls the deity's holy site, and is not in the Italic culture group and are unlocked by the unique Macedonian mission tree Hellenic Mastery, requiring Heirs of Alexander:
| Deity | Category | Rarity | Passive effect | Omen effect | Apotheosis effect | Holy site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeus Olympios | Culture | Rare |  +5% National Manpower
|
 +7% Integrated Culture Happiness
|
Up to 5 pops in a random territory  assimilate to the deity’s culture
|
— |
Strategy[edit]
Macedon starts without full control of its capital region of Macedonia, making other Macedonian states natural expansion targets. However, directly north of Macedon is a tribal vassal, 
Paeonia, making it impossible to fabricate claims without first renouncing this vassal. A longer alternative is to improve Paeonia's loyalty until it upgrades its subject relationship to one which Macedon could eventually use to integrate Paeonia.
More crucially, Macedon could easily be drawn into the Wars of the Diadochi, which may not be in its best interests, as any potential expansion will take place outside the capital region, strengthening regional governors rather than the ruler directly.
It may be a good idea as Macedon to give up Korinthos as you will not be able to fight the Antigonid Kingdom one-on-one due to their vassal swarm, and the other Diadochi enter late enough that the first few months can be a serious struggle. Also their legion is in Greece with easy access to Korinthos. Alternatively raise your levies and prepare your legions from day 1, moving your navy into position to blockade Antigonids and their subjects, provided you also have a port in the sea tile so that you can easily hide from the superior Antigonid fleet. Allying Thrace is suggested as they will occupy provinces when called in vs Antigonids, rather than auto annex, which they would do if Thrace joined the 4th Diadochi war via event.
Achievements[edit]
