Karanus of Macedon

King Karanus (808- 778 BC) was the first king of ancient Macedon. King Karanus established his first kingdom at Aegae (modern Vergina).

According to Greek myth, Karanus was one of King Temenus' sons. Temenus, along with Cresphontes and Aristodemus were the three Doric leaders who invaded the Mycenean Peloponnese region. Then they proceeded to divide the conquered territories between them. Cresphontes was given Messenia and Sparta; Aristodemus took Laconia; and finally Temenos was given Argos. Following the death of King Temenos, the Princes argued about who should be king. One of them, Feidon, defeated his brothers in battle and took over as kingship. Karanos then, decided to find another kingdom of his own, where he could be King. First, however he went to the Oracle of Delphi to ask Pythias' advice. "You should find your kingdom there, were you will find plenty of game and domestic animals, was her advice." Thus Karanos and his entourage moved to the North, in search of suitable land to establish his new kingdom. Finally, he discovered a green valley, with a lot of game and goats, whereupon he thought that the prophecy of Pythia has been fulfilled. Thus he built a city there, which he named "AIGAE", (Greek: Aiga-goat), present day Vergina, a site of substantial archaeological activity, as numerous important findings have been unearthed.