Perdiccas II

Perdiccas II
King of Macedon
silver stater Perdikkas II
Reign	451–413 BC
Predecessor	Alcetas II
Successor	Archelaus I
Spouse	Simache Cleopatra
Issue	Archelaus I
Dynasty	Argead
Father	Alexander I
Mother	unknown
Religion	Ancient Greek religion

Perdiccas II (Greek: Περδίκκας Β΄) was a king of Macedonia from about 448 BC to about 413 BC.

Perdiccas II was the son of Alexander I, by whom he had four brothers, Alcetas II, Philip, Menelaus and Amyntas, and a sister, Stratonice. Alcetas II preceded him on the throne until his murder at the hands of Perdiccas' son Archelaus I resulted in Perdiccas' elevation. Menelaus was the father of king Amyntas II, while Amyntas' grandson was king Amyntas III.

Circa 429/8, Perdiccas arranged the marriage of his sister Stratonice to Seuthes II of Thrace.

Perdiccas II married first a woman called Symache or Simiche. While some consider her a woman of unknown lineage but probably part of the Macedonian elite, other sources call her a slave. By her, he had two sons, Archelaus I and Aeropus. He later married a woman named Cleopatra, by whom he had another son. Cleopatra's son, according to Plato, was drowned in a well by her step-son Archelaus I because Cleopatra's son was the legitimate heir.

After the death of Alexander I in 454, Macedonia began to fall apart. Macedonian tribes became almost completely autonomous, and were only loosely allied to the king. By 434, Perdiccas' younger brother Philip was challenging Perdiccas for the throne, having enlisted the support of Athens and King Derdas of Elimea. Perdiccas responded by stirring up rebellion in a number of Athenian tribute cities, including Potidaea.

Athens responded with force, and sent 1000 hoplites and 30 ships to Macedonia where they captured Therma. They went on to besiege Pydna, where they were met by reinforcements of a further 2000 hoplites and 40 ships. However, as the Athenians were besieging Pydna, they received news that Corinth had sent a force of 1600 hoplites and 400 light troops to support Potidaea.