History Repeats in Macedonia

On January 25, 2019 the Greek Parliament narrowly approved the Prespes agreement, establishing closer relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, now North Macedonia. Orators roused the crowds to a frenzy of blind nationalistic fervor. Similar demonstrations took place in 323-322 BCE. Philip II conquered Athens in 338 BCE. When Alexander the Great died in 323 BCE, the Athenian parliament expelled the Macedonian garrison. Soon Antipater, Alexander’s general, arrived and conquered the Athenians in Lamia in 322 BCE. His condition for allowing Athenian self-rule was the dissolution of democracy. The Greek cities would not see democracy again for about 2,200 years.