Menelaus (son of Amyntas III)

Menelaus was a son of Amyntas III, king of Macedon, and his wife Eurydice I. He was a brother of Philip II, who later became one of Macedon's most powerful rulers, and of Alexander II and Perdiccas III, both of whom briefly reigned as kings of Macedon before Philip II.

Very little is definitively known about Menelaus’s life. Due to the limited primary sources, details regarding his birthdate, upbringing, and specific activities are largely unclear. Surviving historical records offer fragmented glimpses, but lack the comprehensive narrative needed for a complete biography.

He is primarily known through accounts relating to the tumultuous period of succession following Amyntas III’s death. The intrigues surrounding the Macedonian throne often involved various family members, and Menelaus would have been present during these events. The reigns of his brothers Alexander II and Perdiccas III were marked by internal strife and external threats, particularly from Illyrian tribes.

While the details are obscure, Menelaus likely played a role, however minor, within the Macedonian court and may have held some influence due to his royal lineage. Given the circumstances of the time, his life probably involved participation in the political and military affairs relevant to the Macedonian kingdom's stability and security. Further details about Menelaus are speculative due to the scarcity of historical evidence.