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[[File: Philip II of Macedon.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px250px|A modern statue of Phillip II]] Alexander the Great is one of the most famous men in history. However, it is generally recognized that Alexander’s achievements would have been impossible without his father, Philip II of Macedon, who reigned from 359 to 336 B.C. He is not as well-known as his son , but he laid the foundations for the great Empire of Alexander. Phillip was a great soldier and statesman , and he transformed Macedonia and turned it into a well-run state. He also established a professional army that employed innovative military tactics. Phillip also established an Empire in the Northern Balkans , and most importantly , he subjugated the Greek City-States.  Phillip conquered Greece , and it was to remain under the influence of Macedonia, for almost two hundred years, until the Roman conquest. Phillip II changed the history of Ancient Greece and allowed the rise of his son Alexander the Great.  ==Were Ancient Macedonians Greeks?==Macedonia was a small kingdom to the north of Greece. Unlike the rest of Greece, it was rather backward, and it did not have any major urban centers. The country’s economy was based on pastoral farming, and many Macedonians were semi-nomadic pastoralists. The Macedonian nobility and population measured their wealth in the number of horses and livestock they owned. The kingdom was regularly shaken by civil wars between the kings and the nobles. Macedonia kings were rarely in full control of the kingdom, and often the powerful local lords acted as semi-independent rulers. Macedonia was very vulnerable to invasions. It was regularly invaded by its neighbors, including the Celts, Scythian, and Thracians.  The kingdom was never a significant player in Greece's politics and was conquered by Darius during the Second Persian Invasion. Many of Phillip II's critics claimed that the Macedonians were not really Greeks and implied that they were non-Greeks or ‘barbarians.’ <ref> Demosthenes. Philippics. 1 8</ref> The vast majority of scholars today believe that the Macedonians were Greeks. They had originated from North-East Greece and had expanded into the Modern Republic of Macedonia. Evidence of their ‘Greekness’ is that they worshiped the same Pantheon of Gods as those worshiped in Sparta and Athens<ref>. Worthington, Ian. Philip II of Macedonia (Yale: Yale University Press, 2000), p. 13</ref> ==Who was Phillip II?==[[File: Facade of Philip II tomb Vergina Greece.jpg |thumbnail|250px|left|The tomb of Phillip II]]

===Background===Macedonia was a small kingdom Phillip proved to be an excellent military leader and diplomat.<ref>Lewis, p. 39</ref> He first set about re-organizing the north of GreeceMacedonian military. Unlike Phillip soon turned the rest of Greecearmy into a formidable fighting force, it was rather backward and he used it did not have any major urban centers. The country’s economy was based on pastoral farming and many Macedonians were semi-nomadic pastoralists. The Macedonian nobility and population measured their wealth in at first to defend the number of horses and livestockkingdom, they owned. The kingdom was regularly shaken by civil wars between the kings and then he used it to expand the nobles. The kings of Macedonia were rarely in full control territory of the kingdom and often the powerful local lords acted as semi-independent rulers. Macedonia was very vulnerable to invasions. It was regularly invaded by its neighbors, including the Celts, Scythian, and Thracians.

The kingdom was never a significant player Macedonia had been forced to concede territory to its neighbors in the politics of Greece recent past, and Phillip used the army to retake these territories. He and the new army overcame several new territories and had been conquered by Darius during greatly improved the Second Persian Invasionkingdom's strategic position. This expansion made it less vulnerable to invaders. Many of Phillip II critics claimed that the Macedonians were not really Greeks was married several times, and he had at least seven wives, and implied that they were non-Greeks or ‘barbarians’ he formed marriage alliances with many of his neighbors. <ref> Demosthenes. Philippics. Plutarch, <i>Life of Alexander</i> 1 87</ref>. The vast majority of scholars today believe that the Macedonians were Greeks By 357 BCE, Phillip was all-powerful, and they had originated he sidelined his nephew from North-East Greece the succession and had expanded into the Modern Republic himself crowned as King of Macedonia. Evidence of their ‘Greekness’ is After securing his position in Macedonia, he turned his attention to the fact that they worshiped south. He intervened in the same Pantheon of Gods as those worshiped in Sparta Third Sacred War and Athens<ref>. Worthington, Ianwas able to annex Thebes. Philip II of Macedonia (Yale: Yale University Press, 2000), p. 13</ref>

===Life From 357 BCE, he fought a series of wars with the Athenianstor control Thrace and prosperous mines in Amphipolis. Phillip II===[[File: Facade struggled with Athens for control of much of Philip II tomb Vergina Greece.jpg |thumbnail|300px|left|The tomb Phillip II built up a series of alliances with his neighbors, and he became even more influential after he managed to defeat a large Scythian army. Phillip II]]Phillipe was controlled much of the son of Balkans by 340 BCE. Rich mines were discovered in Macedonia's King Amyntas III , and Phillip used his wifewealth to bribe his enemies and purchase allies. The king was able to overcome the Athenians' resistance, Queen Eurydiceand he was able to secure possession of the rich gold mines at Amphipolis. He was born in 383 BCE This allowed him to strengthen his kingdom and expand his elder brother army and create a navy. The first in Macedonian history. The Greek city-states became king after his father’s deathvery fearful of Macedonian power, and they united in an alliance against Phillip II.<ref> Lewis, D.M.Plutarch, <i>The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 6: The Fourth Century BCLife of Alexander</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press,1994), p 372. 8</ref> He was sent as a hostage to Under the leadership of Thebes, which was briefly the supreme power Greek City-States met Phillip's army at Chaeronea in Greece, this was to secure 338 BCE. Phillip’s new phalanx formation annihilated the Thebans and the good behavior rest of his brother, the kingGreek army. Later another brother who had become king was able to secure his release<ref>Plutarch, <i>Life of Pelopidas</i>. King Peridiccas, Phillip’s brother 18</ref> This was killed in an invasion of his kingdom by a powerful Illyrian army. great victory for Phillip II, and in its wake, he was appointed regent master of nearly all of Greece. No one had dominated Greece to such an extent, and to formalize his brother’s eldest soncontrol, who would be crowned king he established the League of Macedonia upon his coming of ageCorinth, with himself as to its ‘hegamon. Phillip’<ref>Lewis, although not p. 45</ref> This was a political-military alliance that effectively subjugated all of Greece to the Macedonian king, was the most powerful man in the kingdom.

Phillip proved II lost none of his vigor as he aged despite walking with a limp and blind in one eye. He dreamed of invading and conquering the Persian Empire and had pressurized the Greek City-States to be an excellent military leader and diplomatjoin his proposed invasion army.<ref>LewisPlutarch, <i>Life of Alexander</i>, p. 396</ref> He first set about re-organizing the Macedonian militaryHowever, he did not live long enough to invade Persia. During a procession, Phillip soon turned the army into II was assassinated by a formidable fighting force former friend and he used it at first to defend bodyguard. Some have claimed that the kingdom and then he used it to expand assassin of Phillip was motivated by a personal grievance. There have long been suspicions that the territory wife of Phillip II, had been behind the kingdomassassination. She was concerned that Phillip II would disinherit her son Alexander and that another of Phillip’s sons would be made his heir. Phillip II was only 46 when he was killed.<ref>Plutarch, <i>Life of Alexander</i>, 7</ref>

Macedonia had been forced to concede territory to its neighbors in the recent past and == How did Phillip used II reform the army to retake these territoriesMacedon's Military?==[[File: 512px-Filip II Macedonia. He and the new army was able to conquer several new territories and greatly improved the strategic position jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|A bust of the kingdom. This expansion made it less vulnerable to invaders. Phillip was married several times and he had at least seven wives and he formed marriage alliances with many of his neighbors. <ref>Plutarch, <i>Life of Alexander</i> 1 7</ref> By 357 BCE Phillip was all powerful and he sidelined his nephew from the succession and had himself crowned as King of Macedonia. After securing his position in Macedonia he turned his attention to the south. He intervened in the Third Sacred War and was able to annex Thebes. II]]

From 357 BCEAs a young man, he fought Phillip was sent as a series of wars with hostage to Thebes. It had the Athenians for control of Thrace and especially rich mines most powerful army in Amphipolis. Phillip struggled with Athens for control of much of Greece. Phillip II built up a series of alliances with his neighbors , and he became even more influential after he managed to defeat a large Scythian the Theban army. Phillip controlled much had defeated the once invincible Spartans at the Battle of the Balkans by 340 Leuctra in 373 BCE. Rich mines had been discovered in Macedonia Phillip was a shrewd young man, and Phillip used he spent his wealth to bribe his enemies time in Thebes studying its army and to purchase allies. The king was able to overcome especially the resistance tactics of the Athenians renowned Theban commanders Epaminondas and he was able to secure possession of the rich gold mines at AmphipolisPelopidas. This allowed him He also saw how a phalanx could be utilized to strengthen his kingdom and expand his army and create a navy. The first in Macedonian history. The Greek city-states became very fearful of Macedonian power and they united in drive an alliance against Phillip IIenemy from the battlefield.<ref>PlutarchIn particular, <i>Life of Alexander</i>he studied the famous ‘Theban wedge, 2’ which was a mass attack over the open ground by a phalanx at pace. 8</ref>

The Greek City-StatesPhillip was also deeply impressed by the Theban elite force, under the leadership of Thebes‘Sacred Band, met the army of Phillip at Chaeronea in 338 BCE. Phillip’s new phalanx formation annihilated the Thebans ’ and the rest of the Greek armylater modeled his own elite forces on this unit. <ref>PlutarchUsing these experiences, <i>Life of Pelopidas</i>he completely reorganized Macedonia’s army. 18</ref> This was a great victory for Phillip II and in its wake, When he was master became regent of nearly all of Greece. No one had dominated Greece to such an extent and to formalize his control Macedonia, he established increased the League size of Corinth, with himself as its ‘hegamon’ <ref>Lewis, p. 45</ref>. This was a political-military alliance that effectively subjugated all of Greece to the Macedonian king. Phillip II lost none of his vigor as he aged despite walking with a limp army and being blind in one eyedoubled its size. He dreamed of invading and conquering also greatly expanded the Persian Empire cavalry and had pressurized trained the Greek City-States to join his proposed invasion armyin the latest Theban tactics.<ref>Plutarch, <i>Life of Alexander</i>, 6</ref> However, he did not live long enough to invade Persia. During a procession, Phillip II was assassinated by a former friend He ensured that the Macedonians were well drilled and bodyguarddisciplined. Some have claimed He also made sure that the assassin of Phillip army was motivated by a personal grievanceregularly paid and received other benefits. There have long been suspicions that He transformed the wife of Phillip IIarmy from one, had been behind the assassination. She was concerned that Phillip II was going a militia of citizen-soldiers to disinherit her son Alexander one composed of professional soldiers. He provided his army with uniforms, and that another every soldier gave him an oath of Phillip’s sons would be made his heirallegiance. Phillip II was only 46 when he was killed.<ref>Plutarch, <i>Life also established a corps of Alexander</i>engineers, 7</ref>and they were soon to prove adept at siege warfare.

===Military Reforms===[[File: 512px<dh-Filip II Macedonia.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|A bust of Phillip II]]As a young man, Phillip was sent as a hostage to Thebes. At the time, it had the most powerful army in Greece and the Theban army had defeated the once invincible Spartans at the Battle of Leuctra in 373 BCE. Phillip was a shrewd young man and he spent his time in Thebes studying its army and especially the tactics of the renowned Theban commanders Epaminondas and Pelopidas. He also saw how a phalanx could be utilized to drive an enemy from the battlefield. In particular, he studied the famous ‘Theban wedge’ and this was a mass attack over open ground by a phalanx at pace. Phillip was also deeply impressed by the Theban elite force the ‘Sacred Band’ and he was later to model his own elite forces on this unit. Using these experiences, he completely reorganized Macedonia’s army. When he became regent of Macedonia he increased the size of the army and indeed doubled its size. He also greatly expanded the cavalry and trained the army in the latest Theban tactics. He ensured that the Macedonians were well drilled and disciplined. He also made sure that the army was regularly paid and received other benefits and he transformed the army from one, that was a militia of citizen-soldiers to one composed of professional soldiers. He provided his army with uniforms and every soldier gave him an oath of allegiance. Phillip II also established a corps of engineers and they were soon to prove adept at siege warfare. ad/>

Phillip learned much from the Thebes , but he also introduced his own tactics. He adapted the phalanx , and he made it more flexible. He appointed a commander to every phalanx and established a system for communications. The Macedonian King also adapted the equipment of his army. He abandoned the traditional spear and introduced a very long spear, up to twenty feet in length. It meant that the Macedonian phalanx could reach the enemy before they were within reach of their spears. He also equipped every soldier with a short sword, that was ideal for close combat. The army that Phillip II developed was to help him establish an empire. It was this This army that allowed him to turn Macedonia from a second-rate power into the a major Greek power. It was this army that allowed Alexander to conquer most of the known world<ref>Lewis. p 101</ref>.

===State Building=How did Phillip II change Macedon? ==Phillip was also a state builder. He built the city of Pella , and he made it his capital. It was the administrative and cultural center of the kingdom. Phillip used the vast revenues from the Amphipolis's gold mines at Amphipolis not only to expand his army but to and develop a bureaucracy. To secure his kingdom , he held the son of neighboring rulers as his hostages. He also held the sons of many of his nobles as hostages and this , which secured their loyalty and ensured that Phillip’s was obeyed in all his realm. During his reign, the nobles generally accepted his rule , and law and order was were established for the first time in the kingdom's history of the kingdom. This stability and the expansion of the kingdom led to rapid economic growth. Later Alexander , when trying to quell a mutiny , Alexander reminded them how poor Macedonians had been before Phillip became king .<ref>Arian. <i>The campaigns of Alexander</i> 8. 5</ref>. Phillip also encouraged urbanization in his kingdom. To secure his own position he established the Royal Pages, an elite unit that secured Phillip’s throne. Phillip’s also introduced fiscal reforms and developed tax—gathering facilities that would be later used by Alexander the Great to finance his campaigns. Perhaps Phillip II’s greatest innovation in Macedonia was that he transformed the notion of kingship in the kingdom. He was an autocrat and was an absolute ruler in his realm. He greatly expanded the power of the Macedonian king. Phillip II greatly weakened the power of the nobles and created a well-run, centralized state.<ref> Worthington, p. 113</ref>

To secure his own position, he established the Royal Pages, an elite unit that secured Phillip’s throne. Phillip’s also introduced fiscal reforms and developed tax—gathering facilities that would be later used by Alexander the Great to finance his campaigns. Perhaps Phillip II’s greatest innovation in Macedonia was that he transformed the notion of kingship in the kingdom. He was an autocrat and was an absolute ruler in his realm. He greatly expanded the power of the Macedonian king. Phillip II greatly weakened the power of the nobles and created a well-run, centralized state.<ref> Worthington, p. 113</ref> ===How did Phillip II build an Empire-Builder=?==Phillip not only build a strong and stable state, but he also built an empire. He expanded Macedonian territory and influence greatly. He conquered Thrace, Molossia, and Thessaly. This greatly expanded the resources of Macedonia and allowed Phillip to pay for his professional army. His great victory over the Greeks allowed him , in the words of Demosthenes , his great enemy, ‘to settle the destiny of Hellas.’<ref> Demosthenes, <i>Philippics</i>, 3.10</ref>. Phillip was so powerful that he could impose his own terms on Greece, with the exception of except for the defiant Spartans. He forced the defeated city-states to enter into the League of Corinth. The League -bound the various city-states to Macedonia. They did not have an independent foreign policy , and they had to provide military support if requested by the Macedonian monarch.  Phillip II also imposed garrisons on key Greek cities. These garrisons ensured that the Greek city -states complied with the terms of the League of Corinth. Phillip created a system that ensured that Greece was subjugated to Macedonia and that it was not a threat to it. Phillip II was able to neutralize any threat from Greece for many decades. This allowed Alexander to concentrate on the Persia's invasion of Persia, without worrying about the obedience and loyalty of the Greek City-States. The Greece's conquest of Greece effectively ended the autonomy of many of the Greek states and they increasingly became cultural and economic backwaters. The Macedonian victory at the Battle of Chaeronea effectively ended the age of the Greek city-states ' age as independent powers and as the center of one of the most remarkable civilizations in western history.<ref>Lewis, p. 118</ref>

Phillip II was a remarkable ruler , and his achievements have been eclipsed by his son, Alexander the Greathas eclipsed his achievements. He created a strong Macedonian state that was stable and prosperous for many decades. He created a professional army that was arguably the best in the known world and conquered an empire. The army and the state that Phillip II created changed the history of Macedonia and Greece. His successes and policies also laid the foundation for the Greece's Macedonian domination of Greece that lasted almost two centuries. Phillip II 's conquest of Greece marked the end of the era of the Greek city-states era and the end of a great period of cultural achievement <ref>Lewis, p 119</ref>. He also laid the foundation for the Empire of Alexander the Great and the great Hellenistic monarchies. Phillip II changed the Greek World and paved the way for his more famous son to change World History.{{Mediawiki:Ancient Greece}}<div class="portal" style="width:8535%;"> 

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