[6] It is doubtful, however, that Archelaus would have been treated as legitimate if his mother had been a slave and therefore Simache was most likely a member of the Macedonian elite (albeit nonroyal).

[8] There is strong evidence to suggest that Cleopatra married Archelaus, her step-son, following the death of Perdiccas, but this has been disputed by historians like Nicholas Hammond.

[11] He annexed Alcetas' territory at some unknown date, but Philip's control of the strategically important Axios Valley around Amphaxitis proved more difficult to overcome.

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.

In autumn 431, Athens entered into an alliance with the Odyrisian king Sitalces following the diplomatic efforts of his Greek brother-in-law, Nymphodorus of Abdera.

However, Thucydides then reports that Sitalces invaded Macedonia in 429 with a large army and Amyntas in tow, apparently upset with Perdiccas for an unfulfilled (and thus far unknown) promise made in 431.

[20] Macedonian resistance proved limited, and Sitalces freely ravaged Mygdonia, Crestonia, and Anthemus, save for an ineffective cavalry attack by Perdiccas' Orestian allies.

[22] Although they were ostensibly allies, the Athenians were likely concerned about the prospect of a Thracian client on the Macedonian throne following the rapid advance of the ambitious Sitalces.

[20] Furthermore, Seuthes, an influential nephew and officer of Sitalces, successfully persuaded the king to return home after Perdiccas had secretly promised him a large dowry and the marriage of his sister Stratonice.