Andriscus the Pretender (Ἀνδρίσκος ὁ Πλαστός)

Life Andriscus, also called Pseudo-Philip, was a pretender to the Macedonian throne in the mid-2nd century BCE. Claiming to be Philip, a son of the defeated King Perseus, he invaded Macedonia with Thracian support in 149 BCE, defeated a Roman force, and briefly ruled [1][2][3]. His cruel reign alienated his subjects, and he was defeated by the Roman consul Quintus Caecilius Metellus at the Second Battle of Pydna in 148 BCE. Captured and paraded in a Roman triumph in 146 BCE, his defeat led directly to Macedonia’s annexation as a Roman province [1][2].

Works No surviving written works by Andriscus are attested. The historical accounts of his life and rebellion come solely from later historians like Polybius and Livy [1][2].

Significance Andriscus’s rebellion, the Fourth Macedonian War, was the final catalyst for Rome’s direct annexation of Macedonia, ending the region’s political instability [1][2][3]. He is remembered as the last figure to claim the Macedonian kingship, and his defeat solidified Roman hegemony over Greece.

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andriscus 2. World History Encyclopedia: https://www.worldhistory.org/Andriscus/ 3. Perseus Digital Library, entry for Andriscus in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dandriscus-bio-1