Philips reign was principally marked by an unsuccessful struggle with the emerging power of the roman republic. He organized his armies into phalanxes of 16 across and 16 deep, each one armed with an 18foot pike. Used this heavy formation to break through enemy lines. Wrightson, g, the nature of command in the macedonian sarissa. I recommend it to anyone interested in history, military history and the history of ancient greece. Philip ii of macedon is a unique compilation of fragments of ancient writings, epitomies, and passages from the orators that together form a contemporary biography of one of. How did philip ii of macedon compare to his son alexander the. Recognising the perilous situation, philip would embark on one of the most. Before becoming king of macedon, philip ii had been exposed to greek culture and military tactics by spending three years in 5944109. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The army of alexander the great ancient history encyclopedia. Previously we have covered the evolution of the greek armies prior to the rise of macedon, but the military of hellenistic world became really dominant with the reforms of.
He would lead macedon against rome in the first and second macedonian wars, losing both but allying with rome in the romanseleucid war towards the end of his reign. Philip was born in the city of pella, which was the capital of ancient macedonia. Parks was not sitting in the white section, but behind it. Although he is often only remembered for being the father of alexander the great, philip ii of macedon reigned 359 bce 336 bce was an accomplished king and military commander in his own right, setting the stage for his sons. Prior to the reign of philip ii 382336 bc macedonia was a comparatively minor state with a mixed hellenic and barbarian culture. Philip ii of macedonia is well worth reading and will surely become an authoritative biography of the ancient king. In time, however, certain writers and thinkers plato, among them came to object to the concept of mans fate in the hands of otherworldy beings over. Chapter 3 addresses macedonias military capacity and how philip organised the different. His military reforms produced the most feared preroman armed force in european history. A king of macedonia who ended greek independence as a result of advanced military tactics. He stopped where the center of the battle line had been and drank deeply from a wine jug.
His source for the first part of book 16, which is particularly relevant for. Philip ii was a proficient king as well as an excellent military commander. Philip of macedon, alexanders father, instilled in his son the will to avenge his countrys honor and punish persia for its attacks on greece 150 years earlier, by reclaiming the land for greece. He immediately initiated a series of military reforms. He introduced and fielded macedonian phalanx army corps, notable for their use of extremely long spea. Ghost on the throne by james romm is a study of the power struggle that broke out immediately after the death of alexander the great. Philip and alexander seem to be the first two hellenistic generals who used heavy cavalry as a dedicated battlefield force alongside the infantry. But when philip ii came to power in 360 bc, macedon was vulnerable to threats from both greek and nongreek enemies. In ancient greece, the three fates clotho, lacheses and atropos who spun, measured and cut the thread of a human life were considered an implacable force it is written that not even zeus, the king of the gods, could change their course. I must note, though, that for military fans such as myself, theres much less focus here on philip s battlefield accomplishments than can be found in either nicholas hammondasin.
Greater than alexander philip ii of macedonia alexander. I found the book well written and engaging, with an emphasis on military history and battle history. King philip ii conquered 6 occupied territories allowed for alexander the great to conquer persia won freedom for macedonia from the. He reveals the full repertoire of the kings tactics, including several polygamous diplomatic marriages, deceit, bribery, military force, and a knack for playing off enemies against one another. Exiled as a hostage in thebes from 369 to 367 bc, he learned about contemporary greek politics and military tactics. Philip ii of macedonia university of nebraska press. At no time in macedonian history did things look more dismal than in 360 bce, when balkan tribes killed the king and overran much of macedon. Philip ii of macedon was a king who ruled the ancient greek kingdom of macedon from 359 to 336 b. Nov 19, 2019 how did philip ii of macedon compare to his son alexander the great as a military commander.
Philip ii macedon biography, birth date, birth place and. I say study, but this studious and wellresearched book is also highly entertaining. Alexanders two successors, his halfbrother philip iii arrhidaeus and his son alexander iv, furnished a nominal focus for loyalty until about 311, the real power in the empire lay in other hands. Sal discusses his rise to power, the league of corinth, and the rise of alexander the great. Alexander the great is probably the most famous ruler of antiquity, and his spectacular conquests are recounted often in books and films. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
He is often remembered as father of alexander the great who became his successor after his assassination in 336 b. Philip ii of macedonia 382336 bce, unifier of greece, author of greeces. On key weapons for macedonias military advantage, via this mornings alexander the great class. Alexander the great, arguably the most exciting figure from antiquity, waged war as a homeric hero and lived as one, conquering native peoples and territories on a superhuman scale. Riots for rewards and verbal protests joseph roisman 10 arrian and roman military tactics.
This book gives full attention to the macedonian state and the macedonian people who made philips success possible, and to the high level of culture and of artistic. Philip had himself spent the previous decade 370360 bce as a hostage in thebes, the strongest greek city state at the time, where he learned greek military tactics. Us army war college quarterly this is an important book on a remarkably successful king. This landmark biography is the first to bring philip to life, exploring the details of his life and legacy and. Why were philip ii of macedons military reforms so effective.
Alan fildes, articles, philip of macedon, the scars of battle. Philip of macedon, part i posted by mike ramalho on may 2015 00. Philip ii of macedon hyperlinked biography in wikipedia s web. The royal tomb excavated in 1977 in aegean macedonia near salonica, was at first believed to be the one of philip ii. The culmination of philip ii of macedons grand strategy kathleen guler in august 338 bc, philip ii of macedon c.
The first thing phillip ii of macedon was known for was being able to build a powerful military that enabled him to take firm control of macedon. Philip ii was born in macedon to king amyntas ii of the royal house of argeadae and his illyrian wife, eurydice. Philip was the man who rescued macedon from being a kingdom on the verge of breaking up and, having overcome its internal problems and restored its borders, went on to unite most of greece under his leadership. Philip iii arrhidaeus king of macedonia britannica. Before becoming king of macedon, philip ii had been exposed. What military tactics did king philip ii of macedon prezi. In his recklessness in the face of the enemy philip was only surpassed by his son, a fact borne out by the sheer number of wounds both sustained in their. With his two previous books on the 4th century bce. Philip of macedon philip ii of macedon biography 359 336 bc king of macedonia and conqueror of illyria, thrace, and greece. What was the military goal that alexander inherited from his father, philip of macedon. Phillip of macedon aristotle said he was murdered because the assassin was offended by the actions of the uncle of phillips wife, but if that was the case, why wouldnt the assassin just murder the uncle.
Alexander the great mosaic of alexander the great discovered at the house of the faun in pompeii in 323 bc when alexander the great died, from what some believe to be poison, but a growing number of others think from ingesting bacteria filled water from the river styx, his great empire was held together by his charisma and his force of will. However, it was later proven that the tomb dates from around 317 bc, suggesting that it belonged to king philip iii arrhidaeus, the son of philip ii and halfbrother of alexander the great science 2000 april 21. The army of the kingdom of macedon was among the greatest military forces of the ancient world. Chapter 4 is devoted to the military reforms philip carried out after his accession and to the. Monetary history of macedonia philip ii 382336 bc philip ii of macedonia 382336 bc was king of macedonia between 359 and 336 bc. Battle of chaeronea philip ii of macedons decisive victory.
Philip ii of macedon is a unique compilation of fragments of ancient writings, epitomies, and passages from the orators that together form a contemporary biography of one of the most influential figures of the ancient world. Through the moonlight came a solitary figure, a lame, drunken old soldier stumbling over the corpses, come to inspect his work. Philip of macedon unifies greece video khan academy. This aspect of his achievement took some years to emerge. The era of warfare under philip ii and alexander the great, 359323 b. What military tactics did king philip ii of macedon. His central thesis regarding philips genius is presented with an insight drawn from gabriels own extensive military experience, something not often found in modern classical scholarship. Philip ii of macedon biography facts, childhood, family. This book establishes philips legitimate and deserved place in military.
Ancient macedonian battle tactics military wiki fandom. Jul 31, 2014 although he is often only remembered for being the father of alexander the great, philip ii of macedon reigned 359 bce 336 bce was an accomplished king and military commander in his own right, setting the stage for his sons victory over darius iii and the conquest of persia. Philip ii macedon biography, birth date, birth place and pictures. From his father king philip of macedonia he inherited a versatile, welltrained army. Inheriting a kingdom near to collapse, he made macedonia the greatest military power in the western world and left to his son alexander the strongest state in eastern europe.
Before becoming king of macedon, philip ii had been. Philips astounding victories did not come without a price and the king, leading from the front in battle after battle, paid this price repeatedly. From the time he invaded asia in 334 to his death in 323, he expanded the macedonian empire from greece in the west to asia minor, the levant, egypt, central asia and india pakistan and kashmir in the east. He was a member of the argead dynasty of macedonian kings, the third son of king amyntas iii of macedon, and father of alexander the great and philip iii. King of macedonia and conqueror of illyria, thrace, and greece. A well written and informative book about alexander the greats father. Why were philip ii of macedons military reforms so. Follow report by sydneymoore5282 10092017 log in to add a comment answer verified by expert. He was a member of the argead dynasty and son of argaeus i, becoming king upon his fathers death. Alexanders campaign against the autonomous thracians. Philip ii, alexander the great and the rise and fall of the macedonian empire, new york. Philip developed the deep phalanx, introduced the sarissa 18footlong, or 5. The army of the kingdom of macedon was among the greatest military forces of the ancient.
Returning to macedon in 364, he seized the throne five years later from his infant nephew and began his. Philip ii and the macedonian army weapons and warfare. Philip had to act quickly to gain control so he needed to create an army 4. Jan 18, 2012 philip ii of macedon by fotogeniss cc bysa in ancient greece, the three fates clotho, lacheses and atropos who spun, measured and cut the thread of a human life were considered an implacable force it is written that not even zeus, the king of the gods, could change their course. During this period, thebes was certainly the greatest power.
Philip ii of macedonia 382336 bce, unifier of greece, author of greeces first. Although he is often only remembered for being the father of alexander the great, philip ii of macedon reigned 359 bce 336 bce was an accomplished king and military commander in his own right, setting the stage for his sons victory over darius iii and the conquest of persia. Us army officer who has penned many books on ancient military figures from. A new king has ascended the throne, keen to revert his kingdoms fortunes. In 360 bc philip took power as the sole surviving adult argead. What were the achievements of philip ii of macedon. There were threats from barbarians north of macedonia, and threats from the greek southern cities 4. The kingdom of macedonia lies on the brink of destruction its army defeated and people in despair. Chaeronea 338 bce jona lenderings illustrated account of philips victory livius. Macedonian general who became king of macedon and reorganized its army.
Before becoming king of macedon, philip ii had been exposed to greek culture and military tactics by spending three years in ask for details. But the kings younger brother philip immediately took control of the kingdom and initiated the reforms that would turn the macedonian army into. Why were philip ii of macedons military reforms so effective and why had they not been tried before ive read a few books about philips subdication of greece and the importance of the sarissa and his use of cavalry but i cant figure out why it hadnt been done before or why it worked so well against other elite units like the theban band. Diodorus siculus on fate and philip of macedon ancient. Other articles where philip iii arrhidaeus is discussed. It was created and made formidable by king philip ii of macedon. Then he sent in fastmoving cavalry to finish the job. Philip ii of macedonia, author of greeces first federal constitution, founder of the first territorial state.
Due in part to history books and that drunk history episode, many folks think her bus protest was planned, that she was sitting in the white section, and that she was picked to protest because of her nice old lady demeanor. What military tactics did king philip ii of macedon introduce and improve to allow for the successful conquering of greece. Then philip ii of macedon, greeces greatest general. He was born in pella, the capital of the ancient macedonian kingdom, as the youngest son of king amyntas iii. How did philip ii of macedon compare to his son alexander the great as a military commander. The sarissa was a long spear about 47 meters long introduced by philip ii of macedon and was used in his macedonian phalanxes, the spear being considerably longer than the dory spear used by the other greek hoplite armies which measured at most only 3 meters. What were philip iis reforms of the macedonian military and how. Sep 23, 2018 king phillip ii is noted for his military savvy. But what of his father, philip ii, who united macedonia, created the best army in the world at the time, and conquered and annexed greece.
Philip ii of macedon lost his eye at the siege of methone, 354 bc philip ii developed into the masterstatesman of his time, a creative politician whose work made macedon a world power for three decades and a great power for a century after that. Tactical improvements included the latest developments in the deployment of the traditional. Books 79 cover the reign of philip ii posted by corpus scriptorum latinorum. Macedonia is an ancient kingdom located in southeastern europe, north of greece, west of thrace, and east of illyria. Philip inherited a weak, backward country with an ineffective, undisciplined army and molded them into a. Ancient macedonia employed a range of tactics and formations in their military campaigns, the most notable of these is the macedonian phalanx, developed by philip ii and used extensively on campaign by his son alexander the great. Philip of macedon essay king philip ii, expansionist ruler of macedonia from 359 to 336 b. He reveals the full repertoire of the kings tactics, including several polygamous diplomatic marriages, deceit, bribery, military force, and a knack for playing off. The rise of macedon, its conquest and political consolidation of most. By the time of his death, philips army had pushed the macedonian frontier into southern illyria. He rebuilt the macedonian army from the core, improving not only its method of training but also armor, tactics and weapons, changing the phalanx into hoplites armed with sarissas and xiphos. Thanks to philips innovations and alexanders tactics they would become the deciding force in many of alexanders battles. Philip ii was held as a hostage by the rival greek state of thebes, from 367 to 365. The author also inquires into the kings influences, motives, and aims, and in particular his turbulent, unraveling relationship with alexander.
Philip ii of macedonia became king when he was 23 years old in very dire situations in 359 b. Battle of chaeronea philip ii of macedons decisive. How did philip ii of macedon compare to his son alexander. Richard gabriels latest book on philip ii of macedon is well researched, well argued, tells a good story, and is a pleasure for both scholars and general readers. He suppressed his feudal barons, forged a professional army infused with a national spirit, and developed novel military tactics. Richard gabriels latest book on philip ii of macedon is well researched, well.
365 1002 1404 4 3 401 982 1283 291 407 1425 135 1078 1259 1396 225 1515 1196 1382 1092 514 715 1170 55 430 263 357 653 312 839 235 747 212 654 578 619 812 1087 76 119 1060 1202