---
title: Philip II of Macedon
author: Donald L. Wasson
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2024-11-21
---

# Philip II of Macedon

_Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_

Although he is often only remembered for being the father of [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/), [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) of [Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/macedon/) (reigned 359 BCE - 336 BCE) was an accomplished king and military commander in his own right, setting the stage for his son's victory over [Darius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/darius/) III and the [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/). Philip inherited a weak, backward country with an ineffective, undisciplined army and molded them into a formidable, efficient military force, eventually subduing the territories around Macedonia as well as subjugating most of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). He used bribery, [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/), and threats to secure his kingdom. However, without his insight and determination, history would never have heard of [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/).

Unlike many of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states in Greece, Macedonia was a monarchy, seen as primitive and backward by the rest of Greece. Although the people spoke a [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) dialect, many believed the country was useful only as a source of timber and pastureland. The royal family of this barbaric land was the Argeads who traced their roots to both the isle of [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/) and Heracles ([Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/)), the son of [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/). Born around 383 BCE, Philip was the youngest of the three sons of Amyntas III. His older brother [Perdiccas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Perdiccas/) III was killed while fighting the Illyrians along the northern Macedonian border. Since the oldest Argead brother, Alexander II, was also dead, Philip was made regent for his nephew Amyntas IV. Philip assumed the Macedonian throne for himself at the age of 23 in 359 BCE. His immediate concern was twofold: to safeguard Macedonia's borders and reorganize the army. His major foes were the Illyrians (whom he would eventually defeat in 359 BCE) and the Athenians. who not only possessed nearby [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) and [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) mines but also supported a pretender to the Macedonian throne. Luckily, since much of Greece was embroiled in a series of civil wars, Philip had time to address Macedonia's most pressing concern.

Philip quickly realized the weaknesses of his country's army and drew upon past experience to mold them into a superb fighting unit. For three years, beginning around 367 BCE, he had been a hostage in [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/) - his brother Perdiccas eventually gained his release - where he witnessed the infamous Sacred Band and the extremely successful Theban wedge, as well as the tactical abilities of their famed commanders [Epaminondas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Epaminondas/) and [Pelopidas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pelopidas/). Using these experiences, he completely reorganized Macedonia's army. He increased its size from 10,000 to 24,000 and enlarged the cavalry from 600 to 3,500. This was no longer an army of citizen-warriors but one of professional soldiers. He created a corps of engineers to develop siege weaponry, namely towers and catapults. To give each man a sense of unity and solidarity, he provided uniforms and required an oath of allegiance to the king: each soldier would no longer be loyal to a particular town or province but faithful only to the king. Next, he restructured the traditional [Greek phalanx](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/110/the-greek-phalanx/), providing each individual unit with its own commander, thereby allowing for better communication. Philip changed the principal weaponry from the [hoplite](https://www.worldhistory.org/hoplite/) spear to the sarissa, an 18 to 20 feet pike; it had the advantage of reaching over the much shorter spears of the opposition. Besides the sarissa, a new helmet, and a redesigned shield, each man possessed a smaller double-edge sword, or xiphos, for close-in-hand fighting.

[ ![Map of the Macedonian Kingdom at Philip II's Death c.336 BCE](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/19668.png?v=1777446225-1777446247) Map of the Macedonian Kingdom at Philip II's Death c.336 BCE Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19668/map-of-the-macedonian-kingdom-at-philip-iis-death/ "Map of the Macedonian Kingdom at Philip II's Death c.336 BCE")After his reorganization of the army, he remade the capital city of Pella, inviting poets, writers, and philosophers; [Aristotle](https://www.worldhistory.org/aristotle/) would be asked to teach Philip's son Alexander. Again, his reasoning was sound: to assure that his neighbors would not attack, he invited their sons to Pella to not only be educated but also to serve as hostages. In order to safeguard his authority at home, he established the Royal Pages to secure the throne against possible plots. However, his primary concern remained the safety and security of Macedonia. In 357 BCE he angered the citizens of [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) when he captured their colony at [Amphipolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amphipolis/), thereby acquiring its gold and silver mines. He would temporarily return it to the [city-state](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) only to recapture it later. From there, he seized the northern Greek [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Potedia and Pydna in 356 BCE.

Philip's power would come to fruition when he became involved in the Third [Social War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Social_War/) in 356 BCE. The Phocians had seized the city of [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/), home of the famed oracle. Both Athens and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) entered the conflict on the side of the Phocians. The Thessalian League asked Philip to help and, although he was initially defeated, he and the Thessalian cavalry crushed the Phocians and their commander Onomarchus at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Crocus Field in 352 BCE. Although unable to secure alliances against Philip, Athens would continue to wage [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) until the Peace of Philocrates in 346 BCE. This constant warfare further weakened southern Greece. During this time, Philip expanded his hold on Greece by capturing the cities of Crenides in 355 BCE, a city he renamed [Philippi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philippi/); Methone in 354 BCE which he razed; and Olynthus on the Chalcidice peninsula in 348 BCE. But he did not escape these battles without some personal scars - a lost eye, a broken shoulder, and a crippled leg.[ ![Philip II of Macedon (Artist's Impression)](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/12937.png?v=1718957643) Philip II of Macedon (Artist's Impression) Mohawk Games (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12937/philip-ii-of-macedon-artists-impression/ "Philip II of Macedon (Artist's Impression)")Throughout Philip's rise to power and his victories throughout Greece, a constant thorn in his side was [Demosthenes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Demosthenes/), the great Athenian orator, who constantly railed against Philip in a series of speeches called The Philippics. His fiery speeches - he would later call Alexander a brat - eventually culminated in the [Battle of Chaeronea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Chaeronea/) in 338 BCE, a battle that demonstrated both the power and authority of Macedonia. Philip and his son Alexander (only 18 at the time) soundly defeated the combined forces of both Athens and Thebes. Eventually, a PanHellenic Congress was summoned at [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) (Sparta would not attend) and peace was finally established. With his establishment as the head of the Congress and his promise to secure the Greek colonies in [Ionia](https://www.worldhistory.org/ionia/), Philip began to plan for his invasion of Persia.

During his conquest of Greece, Philip took time away from the battlefield to marry seven times. The most famous of these marriages was to [Olympias](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympias/), daughter of Neoptolemus of Epirus and mother of the future conqueror of Persia, Alexander (there was also a daughter named [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/)). At the time of Alexander's birth in 356 BCE, Philip was away in battle at Potidea. The historian [Plutarch](https://www.worldhistory.org/plutarch/) in his *Life of Alexander* wrote of this time, “Just after Philip had taken Potidea, he received three messages at one time, that Parmenio had overthrown the Illyrians in a great battle, that his race-horse had won the course at the [Olympic Games](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympic_Games/), and that his wife had given birth to Alexander ….” However, as Alexander grew and his intelligence became obvious, tension rose between father and son. Because Alexander's mother was from neighboring Epirus, the king was pressured to marry a true Macedonian and provide the country with a pure-blood heir.

[ ![The Philippeion of Olympia](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/441.jpg?v=1699774206) The Philippeion of Olympia Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/441/the-philippeion-of-olympia/ "The Philippeion of Olympia")In 337 BCE Attalus, a close friend and Macedonian commander, convinced Philip to marry his niece, Cleopatra Eurydice, and provide a more suitable heir. Plutarch wrote, “At the wedding of Cleopatra, whom Philip fell in love with and married, she being much too young for him, her uncle Attalus in his drink desired the Macedonians would implore the gods to give them a lawful successor to the kingdom by his niece.” At the wedding banquet, Alexander became incensed at this idea and voiced his outrage, both at Attalus's comments and his father's drunkenness. Because of his remarks, he and his mother were both temporarily exiled - she in Epirus and he in Illyria. Shortly after his return to Pella, Alexander would be sitting on the throne.

In 336 BCE a former friend and lover of Philip, [Pausanias](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Pausanias/), became angry with Philip over a personal matter and stabbed him to [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/). Alexander was quickly crowned as the king. Plutarch wrote, “… Pausanias, having had an outrage done to him at the instance of Attalus and Cleopatra, when he found he could get no reparation for his disgrace at Philip's hands, watched his opportunity and murdered him. The guilt of which fact was laid for the most part upon Olympias, who was said to have encouraged and exasperated the enraged youth to revenge …” Olympias' supposed part in the assassination has never been proven; however, it was widely known that she had always wanted the throne for Alexander. Philip's new wife and child were quickly put to death by Olympias, eliminating any significant claimant to the throne. After subduing any serious threats to his rule, Alexander fulfilled his father's dream and invaded Persia.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Anglim, S. *FIGHTING TECHNIQUES OF THE ANCIENT WORLD 3000 BCE-500CE.* Amber Books, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1909160466/)
- [Fildes, A. *Alexander the Great.* J. Paul Getty Museum, 2004.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0892367830/)
- Grant, M. *The Classical Greeks.* Charles Scribner, 1989
- [Green, P. *Alexander of Macedon, 356-323 B.C.* University of California Press, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0520275861/)
- [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/)
- McCarty, N. *Alexander the Great.* Gramercy Books, 2004
- Plutarch. *The Life of Alexander the Great.* The Modern Library, 2004
- Sheppard, R. ed. *Alexander the Great at War.* Osprey Publishing, 2008

## About the Author

Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students.

## Timeline

- **383 BCE**: Birth of [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) of Macedonia.
- **368 BCE - 365 BCE**: Young [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) is captured by [Pelopidas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pelopidas/) and held hostage in [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/).
- **359 BCE**: Phillip II takes throne of Macedonia.
- **359 BCE - 336 BCE**: Reign of [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/).
- **357 BCE**: Marriage of [Olympias](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympias/) to [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) of Macedonia.
- **c. 357 BCE**: [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) renames the Macedonian [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Crrenides after himself: [Philippi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philippi/).
- **357 BCE - 356 BCE**: After defeating the Thracian dynasts Berisades and Cetriporos, [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) lays the foundation of a new [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) bearing his name: Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv, Bulgaria).
- **356 BCE**: Third [Social War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Social_War/) in [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/).
- **356 BCE**: [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) wins the horse race at the [Olympic Games](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympic_Games/).
- **c. 353 BCE**: [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) leads the joined forces of Macedonia and the [Amphictyonic League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amphictyonic_League/) in [Thessaly](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thessaly/) and wins over the Phocians, Pheraeans and their allies in the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Crocus Field.
- **352 BCE**: [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Crocus Field in [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/).
- **352 BCE**: [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) wins the [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) race at the [Olympic Games](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympic_Games/) and retains the crown in 348 BCE.
- **c. 349 BCE - c. 346 BCE**: [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) is given the hand of Nikesipolis, niece of Jason of Pherae, a Thessalian nobleman, for marriage. She gives birth to [Thessalonike of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thessalonike_of_Macedon/), and dies 20 days later.
- **c. 347 BCE**: Athenian orator [Demosthenes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Demosthenes/) is sent on a diplomatic embassy to the court of [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/).
- **346 BCE**: [Demosthenes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Demosthenes/) gives his 'On the Peace' speech to the Athenian assembly advocating [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) against [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/).
- **343 BCE**: King [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) summons [Aristotle](https://www.worldhistory.org/aristotle/) to tutor his young son [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) (later 'The Great').
- **342 BCE**: [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) leads a military expedition against the [Scythians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Scythians/).
- **340 BCE**: [Phocion](https://www.worldhistory.org/Phocion/) defeats [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) at [Byzantium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantium/).
- **339 BCE**: [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) fights the [Scythians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Scythians/).
- **338 BCE**: The first [battle of Chaeronea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Chaeronea/). [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) defeats the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) alliance directed against him, led by [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/).
- **c. 338 BCE**: Philippeion built at [Olympia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympia/) by [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) of Macedonia.
- **338 BCE**: Philip of Macedonia defeats the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) allied forces of [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/), [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/) and [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) in the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Chaironeia.
- **2 Aug 338 BCE**: The [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Charonea gives [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) to the Macedonian victors. [Agora](https://www.worldhistory.org/agora/) takes on Macedonian characteristics.
- **337 BCE**: [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) of Macedonia marries [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) Eurydice.
- **337 BCE**: The League of [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) is created by [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/).
- **336 BCE**: [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/) is assassinated.
- **316 BCE**: [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of [Olympias](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympias/), mother of [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/).

## External Links

- [List of Rulers of the Ancient Greek World | Lists of Rulers | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gkru/hd_gkru.htm)
- [The Rise of Macedon and the Conquests of Alexander the Great | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/alex/hd_alex.htm)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wasson, D. L. (2014, July 31). Philip II of Macedon. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip\_II\_of\_Macedon/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/)
### Chicago
Wasson, Donald L.. "Philip II of Macedon." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 31, 2014. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip\_II\_of\_Macedon/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/).
### MLA
Wasson, Donald L.. "Philip II of Macedon." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Jul 2014, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip\_II\_of\_Macedon/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 31 July 2014. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.