Phillip II Of Macedon

ned to be a Greek general. He had also seen how weak Greece was becoming with its painstakingly slow democratic system and the general disunity that was becoming predominant after many years of internal quarreling. Also, his time in Thebes gave him a greater understanding of the geography of Greece. He learned the strongholds, and the weak cities of Greek society, and this would prove priceless in later expeditions. When his brother died, he left his infant son, Amyntas as the heir to the throne. Philip was, therefore, made regent, and had control of Macedon. He succeeded to the throne in 359 BC in the traditional Macedonian custom – a round of family assassinations. Macedon, at the time of Philip’s ascension to the throne, was not a very highly regarded northern state whose power depended upon a warrior aristocracy. The kingship rested more on personal ascendancy then institutions. Philip disposed of the young heir and immediately began implementing his plans to unite Macedon!

in goals was to conquer the Greek world. His army, background in Greece, and the definite advantage of an autocrat, that being, speed, secrecy and dishonesty, gave Philip a certain power; the power to be diplomatic, or ruthless and vengeful, if the need arose. Soon after the birth of his army, Philip crushed the Illyrian tribes that threatened from the north-east. He quickly secured Macedon from any external threats. From this point on, Philip became renowned for his military, political and diplomatic abilities, as he expanded Macedon and conquered Greece. In 357, just two years after coming to power, Philip found himself in need of funds to finance his army, equip a fleet and secure himself politically with other states. Amphipolis was the most important port in the northern Aegean. It also blocked the path of invaders to Mt. Pangaeus, which contained valuable gold mines. He invaded and successfully captured Amphipolis, which became a major port for Macedonian timber. The cap!

the city of Pella, the son of King Amyntas II, but Philip would not ascend to the throne until after the death of his brother. From the age of fifteen, Philip was a Macedonian hostage living in Thebes during the height of the Theban hegemony. He was a political hostage, and generally treated well. He was held only as an insurance against hostilities between Thebes and Macedon, and it was his three years living as a Greek that gave Philip an advantage as he established himself as the major power in the Greek world. Philip admired the Greek way of life. He began to think of himself more Greek then Macedonian. He became well integrated into the politics and military of Greece, learning Greek political tactics and military strategy. Philip, in effect, had lear!

, and control the Greek world. One of Philip’s first and most notable achievements was the creation of the National Army. He had learned the military tactics used in the Greek army and structured his army on the model of the Theban phalanx. However, Philip only based his army on the Greek model. He made sure that the Macedonian National army was a vast improvement on the Greek model, and ensured that the shor

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