One thing that should be clear when discussing Alexander’s achievements is that without Philip II, there would be no Alexander the Great. If a conqueror like Alexander was needed, then his Father should be like Philip II. will also discuss about The Conquest of Greece, Early Challenges and Military Reforms, Diplomatic and Political Strategy, Legacy and Assassination.
Early Challenges and Military Reforms of Philip II
Philip II of Macedonia was the father of Alexander the Great.
Only because of Philip did Macedonia go from a relatively minor state into a powerful empire that his son would later expand.
His reign, which lasted from 359 to 336 B.C.E., was marked by military innovation, strategic alliances, and political cunning, setting the stage for Alexander’s remarkable conquests.
Before, Macedonia was weakened, surrounded by hostile neighbors, and politically unstable.
One of his first significant challenges was to secure his kingdom from external threats and internal rivals.
Philip was a very different leader; I mean his style, how he performed, and how he did whatever he did. It was all awesome. The way he neutralized his enemies, the timing at which he called for a truce, and the time when he launched his fury over his enemies. It was a very needy and essential topic that we all must study, He invented some new diplomatic policies.
Philip revolutionized the Macedonian army by introducing the phalanx formation. You must have watched ancient Greek genre-based movies, for example, movies like 300, which featured a dense infantry formation that provided offensive and defensive advantages.
He armed his soldiers with the sarissa, a long spear that could reach enemies before they could retaliate. This gave him a huge upper hand in the battle.
The Macedonian phalanx was a formidable battlefield force when the innovation added its spices combined with rigorous training and discipline.
Philip developed a strong cavalry known as the Companion Cavalry, which was crucial to his military campaigns. By integrating infantry and cavalry tactics, Philip laid the groundwork for combined arms warfare, which Alexander would perfect.
Diplomatic and Political Strategy of Philip II
Philip was a multitasker when it came to Diplomatic and Political strategy; I mean, Philip was not just a warrior and innovator but a natural-born political strategist.
He knew when to love and when to hate.
He also knew when to marry and move forward for the alliances.
He married Olympias, a princess from Epirus. This marriage made solid ties with Epirus, and yeah, the baby of Olympias and Philip changed this world and became the greatest conquerors of this planet.
Philip manipulated the Greek cities; their decisions and economies were affected by Philip’s thoughts.
He established the Corinthian League through diplomacy and force, and then once he nominated himself as the leader of this league. This was a brutal show-off of Macedonian supremacy.
This alliance was crucial for his planned invasion of the Persian Empire, providing him with a united Greek front. Philip had a dream of conquering the Persian Empire, but he had no destiny for it; his son achieved it.
The Conquest of Greece
Philip’s most outstanding military achievement in Greece was the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 B.C.E.,
Where he decisively defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes.
This victory not only solidified his control over Greece but also demonstrated the effectiveness of his military reforms.
At Chaeronea, Alexander, then only 18, showed his potential as a military leader, commanding a crucial wing of the Macedonian army.
Legacy and Assassination
Philip’s reign ended abruptly in 336 B.C.E. when he was assassinated at a wedding celebration. The assassination motive is still unclear, but he also had a relationship with men, and one of his male lovers killed him.
But whatever it was, it is believed to have resulted from court intrigues and possibly Olympias’ and Alexander’s ambition.
Despite his sudden death, Philip left a powerful legacy.
He transformed Macedonia into a dominant military power and provided the foundation for Alexander’s future conquests.
His innovations in military tactics, especially using combined arms and integrating cavalry with infantry, would prove helpful for Alexander. Darius, Alexander’s archnemesis and the Persian emperor, was scared of this deadly combination
Philip’s diplomatic efforts and establishment of the Corinthian League provided the necessary political stability and resources for the forthcoming Persian expedition.
also read our blogs on different aspects of alexander
