Browsing by Author "Rop, Jeffrey"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    The Assassination of Philip II of Macedon
    (2016) Anderson-Lind, Garet; Rop, Jeffrey
    In this paper, there is an assessment of the modern theories concerning the conspiracy to assassinate Philip II of Macedon, checking the claims against evidence provided by surviving ancient sources. Examining where authors get their information from and how they use it offers insight into which arguments are valid and which ones are not. While there are many arguments about Philip’s assassination conspiracy, addressed are the five most common theories. The most likely theory naming Alexander as the main conspirator behind his father’s assassination.
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    The Battle for Thermopylae between Modern Historians and the International Far Right (2023-04-03)
    (2023) Rop, Jeffrey; University of Minnesota Duluth. Royal D. Alworth, Jr. Institute for International Studies
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    The Historical Context of the Reply to the Satraps Inscription (IG IV 556)
    (De Gruyter, 2017) Rop, Jeffrey
    This article offers a new date and interpretation for IG IV 556, more commonly known as the Reply to the Satraps inscription. Most scholars associate it with the Common Peace of 362/1, and interpret it as a response to satraps seeking military aid against King Artaxerxes II during the Great Satraps Revolt. Yet the inscription contains no evidence that the satraps the inscription addresses were in rebellion. After consideration of its find location and potential authors, it better fits the historical context of the Common Peace imposed on Greece by Philip II of Macedon following his victory at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338.
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    The Phocian Betrayal at Thermopylae
    (Franz Steiner Verlag, 2019-12) Rop, Jeffrey
    This article makes three arguments regarding the Battle of Thermopylae. First, that the discovery of the Anopaea path was not dependent upon Ephialtes, but that the Persians were aware of it at their arrival and planned their attacks at Thermopylae, Artemisium, and against the Phocians accordingly. Second, that Herodotus’ claims that the failure of the Phocians was due to surprise, confusion, and incompetence are not convincing. And third, that the best explanation for the Phocian behavior is that they were from Delphi and betrayed their allies as part of a bid to restore local control over the sanctuary.
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    Reconsidering the Origin of the Scythed Chariot
    (Franz Steiner Verlag, 2013) Rop, Jeffrey
    This article challenges the current scholarly consensus that the scythed chariot was developed by the Persians for use against Greek hoplites. Closer examination of the historical record reveals that the scythed chariot was a specialized device deployed only under specific battlefield conditions and used against all types of infantry and cavalry. Reviewing the information provided by Xenophon’s Cyropaedia and Ctesias’ Persica in the context of the evolution of chariotry in the ancient Near East, I argue that the most plausible origin for the scythed chariot is in the Neo-Assyrian period.