This article considers the impact of the European campaigns of successive Persian kings on the development of early Macedon. The focus is on the challenges that the Argeads faced from the end of the sixth century BCE, as they sought to establish a dynasty and advance their own interests, even while balancing competing obligations to rival powers. That paradox of allegiances is well noted by Herodotus. The Histories documents how Argead ties to the Achaemenids remained crucial for both Amyntas and Alexander I, allowing the latter to place his kingdom at the centre of international affairs for the first time during Xerxes’ campaign. Indeed, that the great ‘Philhellene’ of later reputation could remain both ‘friend of’ and ‘subject to’ rival powers concurrently was key to the first Alexander’s success as king.