Philippe V of Macedonia, born in 238 av. J. - C. and died in 179 av. J. - C., king de Macédoine pertaining to the dynasty of the Antigonides. In 229, with died of his/her father (Démétrius II) Philippe is too young to ensure the capacity and the Macedonians indicate Antigone Doson, cousin of Philippe, as regent. Doson acts honestly and leaves in Philippe strong Macedonia which succeeded in extending its domination in the Peloponnese to the favor of the Guerre of Cléomène during which Doson supported the Achaean Ligue against Sparte.

Doson dies into 221 and Philippe reaches the effective capacity at 17 years.

Problem of source

Polybe is of course the independent source available to the current historians. One can regard Philippe as the essential character of the first twenty books of the Histoires. Polybe remains a highly reliable historian, but its text is not all the same without posing certain problems. Sometimes indeed, its party taken pro-Achaean seems to guide his reflections. Also it introduces initially Philippe like a young energetic and concerned king of many Greeks, as long as there remains the ally of the Achaens. But when the discord settles between the Achaean Ligue and Philippe, Polybe blackens the image of Philippe suddenly and explains this reversal by an abrupt change of mentality of the king. In spite of this remark, it seems desirable to trust Polybe.