I sovrani Argeadi, signori della Macedonia

A foreword introduces the paper on Valerius Maximus and the complex Quellenforschung of his work, followed by the survey of the mentions of Macedonian rulers. The inquiry reveals that before Philip II and Alexander the Great, Valerius Maximus only knows Archelaos. Also, Philip II is cited only five times, and only twice he is the protagonist of the narrated stories. Alexander the Great, conversely, appears twenty-four times (nine as protagonist): after Hannibal, he is the most cited character among the so-called exterae gentes of Valerius’ work. Several scholars have analyzed Valerius’ approach to Alexander’s deeds. According to some scholars, Valerius negatively judged Alexander. According to others, however, his judgment was favourable. Since, among the nine episodes devoted to Alexander, six are favourable to the king and only three hostile, I argue that Valerius is not a hostile source to Alexander.