An ancient people of the Axios (Vardar) and Strymon river valleys in the central Balkans, mentioned by Homer and attested by Greek writers as distinct from both Thracians and Macedonians.
Made a Macedonian vassal state by Philip II in 356 BCE following his campaign against the Paeonians after the death of king Agis, and fully incorporated into the Macedonian empire by Philip V around 217 BCE.
Herodotus (Book 5.11-16) is the principal ancient source on the Paeonians, including Darius' deportation of them from the Strymon valley.
A concise, illustrated introduction to the ancient Thracians and their central-Balkan neighbours such as the Paeonians, from 700 BC onward.