Le vie del consenso. Parola e gesto nelle strategie diplomatiche di Filippo il Macedone (prolegomena al commento storico del libro XVI di Diodoro)

Diodorus, one of our main sources on Philip of Macedon, does not report the content of the king’s speeches, limiting himself to presenting a summary of them. Nevertheless, especially for some episodes, he highlights the king’s ability to combine promises and deeds. Thus, Philip followed up the incitement to valour in battle with personal examples of military bravery, and the promise of benefits with the distribution of gifts. This was a skilful strategy which, relying on the close link between logos and praxis, aimed at gaining and/or strengthening the consent of soldiers and allies in complex or extremely dangerous situations.