Contrary to popular beliefs emanating from FYROM, the ancient Macedonians are not identified as <barbarians> and more importantly, they always distinguish themselves from the <barbarians>. For example, Alexander I in his famous speech at Plataia (Her. IX.45) differentiates himself from the <barbarians> by stating: “εθέλων υμίν δηλώσαι την διάνοιαν την Μαρδονίου, ίνα μή επιπέσωσι υμίν εξαίφνης οι βάρβαροι[..] ειμί δε Αλέξανδρος ο Μακεδών.” The ancient literary […]