Following the money

Discuss Philip's achievements and Macedonia pre-Alexander

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adisciplus
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Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:00 pm

Following the money

Post by adisciplus »

Can anyone explain what happened to Philip's money?

When Philip reorganized the gold mines, this was said to amount to 1,000 talents/year. (His harbor revenues from the coastal towns, Pydna and Methone, would have increased this figure, but let's keep to the round number for now, since the combined harbor revenue was likely less than 1,000 talents/year.)

Assuming 6,000 drachmas to the talent, this means Philip had an income of 500,000 drachmas/month (=1000 * 6000 * 1/12).

Arrian 7.23 mentions officers being paid 10-staters, 20-staters and more, while infantry less per man per month.

Assuming 20 drachmas to the stater, officers are paid 200 dr, 400 dr and infantry less than 200 dr, let's say 140.

If we average the pay per infantryman to 150 dr, the 500,000 dr/month would pay for only 3,000 infantry. Even at an average of 100 dr/man/month would pay for only 5,000 infantry.

Yet when Alexander crossed into Asia, he had 12,000 infantry + 5,000 mercenaries (we can assume the allies and Illyrians paid for their own troops). (Diod. 17.17.3-4)

Thus the invasion force was costing 2-3 years of Macedon's annual revenue per month.

When Alexander inherited the throne, the treasuries were bare. This matches Theopompus's comment that Philip threw away his money, squandering his wealth and was the worst manager of his wealth. (Theopompus FGrH 115) This also matches the stories of Philip having difficulty paying his troops during the northern campaigns against Byzantium in 340 (Polyaenus, Stratagems 4.2.6).

lutarch (Alex.) says Alexander borrowed 200 talents, quoting Aristobolus saying Alexander had only 70 talents.

In the very next passage, Plutarch says Alexander sold his estates and land and tax rights, when leaving, but how could this pay for the large numbers attested?
agesilaos
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Re: Following the money

Post by agesilaos »

You have seriously over estimated the soldiers' pay rates, I discussed this earlier in the post 'Economic with the Troops' there seems to be a glitch on on it but only for inverted commas.
When you think about, it free-choice is the only possible option.
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