PHILIP II
King of Macedon
Philip II
BACKGROUND TO PHILIP II
 In 370s Philip’s brother Alexander II tried
to weaken the stronghold of Thebes in
Thessaly.
 369-367BC Philip was an exile in Thebes
where he was able to witness Greek
politics and military tactics
BACKGROUND cont
 367 Macedonia in a state of disarray
 Macedonia went through 3 rulers during the late
and mid 360s
1) Ptolemy of Abrus
2) Pausunias
3) Perdiccas III
 357 saw an infant ruler instilled on the
Macedonian throne
 360 Philip had power persuaded Athenians and
Thracians to forget their claims to throne and
accept Philip as the ruler.
AIMS AND POLICIES
 Ultimate aim was to make Macedonia
master of the Balkans
 Opposition was seen by Persia as Persia
controlled much of the Balkans
 Main concern was Philip did not match the
military strength of Persia.
 He would unite the Greek states and then
convince them to fight against Persia.
How did he convice the Greeks
 He used the excuse it
was a religious war of
revenge. As the
Persians had come
into Greece in the
400s and destroyed
and desecrated their
temples
Steps taken by Philip to ensure his
aims were fulfilled
a) He fought his enemies in the North
conquering the Iliyrians and Peonians
b) He began the process of Hellenization –
the transformation of Macedonia into a
Greek state.
c) He re-organised the army
d) Avoided war with the Greeks and hoped
they accepted Macedonian leadership.
THE ARMY OF PHILIP II
 Philip II used the oblique approach that Epaminondas used in
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371.
Foot companions who had to pin down part of the enemy line
Companions who were the main striking force, close to the King
also.
Cavalry struck in the flank or rear
The hypaspists (guards) were created by Philip to protect the
flank of the phalanx and keep in contact with the cavalry then
added a light armed troop form conquered territories.
The army was divided by tribes into battalions, large enough to
operate independtly and together formed the phalanx, armed
with sarissa’s (enornmous pikes 18 feet long), metal helmets,
small shieds and swords. They had a steady advance rather
than a rush.
THE CORINTHIAN LEAGUE
 In 338/7 BC King Philip, proud of his victory at Chaeroneia by
which he had humbled the leading Greek states, became
ambitious to become leader of all Greece. He spread the word
that he wished to to undertake a war against the Persians on
behalf of Greece and to punish them for the sacrilege they had
comitted against Greek temples. He treated them all kindly
both in public and private matters and revelaed to the cities that
he wanted to discuss with them matters of m utual benefit.
Hence he convened a general congress at Corinth and put
forward his proposals for the war. By raising great hopes, he
won the support of the delegates and finally they chose him as
commander-in-chief of the Greek forces. He began to make
great preparations for the campaign against the Persians and,
after fixing the number of troops each city should contribute to
the allied forces, he retured to Macedonia.