СМРТТА НА ДЕМЕТРИЈ И РИМСКАТА ПРОПАГАНДА
THE DEATH OF DEMETRIOS AND THE ROMAN PROPAGANDA

Summary/Abstract: In 180 B.C., Demetrios – the younger son of Philip V died under suspicious circumstances. The ancient sources unanimously cast the blame for his death to Philip V and Perseus. This version of the events has been scrutinized by modern scholars, and while most of them do believe that Demetrios was killed indeed, there are some who doubt the whole story and prefer to interpret the whole episode as a Roman fabrication. The question whether Demetrios was killed or not is not the focus of this inquiry. Instead the main focus is on the question of the origin of the whole story, and when was it used in propagandistic context. The version preserved in Livy, although follows that of Polybius in the main points, is expectedly contaminated by later Roman propaganda. Polybius’ version on the other hand, although not immune to later Roman propaganda, seems to be more in line with what was thought of the whole incident at the time. It is especially important to note his insistence that the Roman Senate and T. Flamininus in particular were not without their share of blame in the affair. In fact, it seems probable that the hostile elements in his story are primarily due to his personal animosity towards Philip V and Perseus, and not the Roman propaganda. This does not mean however that we are allowed to assume that the main points in his story are fabricated. Considering the deplorable reputation of Philip V it is quite possible that the account about his involvement in Demetrios’ murder started spontaneously, probably in Hellas, where he was especially detested after 202 B.C. And indeed this rumor is first mentioned by the Akhaean statesmen Kallikrates in 174 B.C., which is three years before the outbreak of the war against Perseus. Yet while this episode is an indication of the existence of the story prior to the III Macedonian War, it does not explain when it was used against Perseus. It is my belief that the story was picked up by Eumenes II, and that it was he who has used it first as a mean to discredit Perseus. Finding himself in a state of diplomatic isolation and gradual decline of his influence in mainland Hellas, he was especially eager to incite a Roman action against Perseus. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that it was in his speech before the senators in 172 B.C. that the murder of Demetrios was mentioned as an indication of the anti-Roman proclivity of Perseus. The remark would have been pointed towards the senators, since it was they that held Demetrios in high regard as a Roman supporter. Naturally, the later Roman annalists were quick to pick the story up and embellish it with pathetic and dubious elements. If this is indeed the genesis of the whole story, than those who would like to exculpate Philip V and Perseus would lose their most important argument, i.e. that it was a Roman fabrication. On the other hand, despite all the deficiencies in Polibius’ version, there is no need to doubt his main points.

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