History of Our World: Chapter 46 - Philip II

Introduction

• Return to the 7th Century BC in the Levant.
• Assyrian King fails to conquer Jerusalem.
• Story of three brothers from Argos in Northern Greece.
  • Youngest brother, Pericas, claims ownership of a palace using a ritual with sunlight.
  • Founding myth of the Argead dynasty.

Macedonian Background

• Macedonians viewed as different from true Greeks.
• King Alexander I aligned Macedon with Persians for protection.
• Macedon grew in power, fostering ties with Greece.

Rise of Philip II

• Born in 382 BC; not much known of his early years.
• Became a royal hostage in Thebes, learning Greek politics and military tactics.
• Became King in 359 BC, bypassing his nephew.

Challenges and Reforms

• Faced threats from neighboring tribes and internal usurpers.
• Military reforms:
  • Introduced lighter skirmishers and cavalry.
  • Developed the catapult and redesigned the Macedonian phalanx with an 18-ft spear.
• Expanded Macedonian nobility to strengthen loyalty.

Expansion and Conflict

• Consolidated power through diplomacy and military might.
• Defeated northern tribes and expanded territory through marriage alliances.
• Conflict with Athens over strategic cities like Amphipolis.
  • Broke promises to Athens, seized cities using new military tactics.

Relations with Greece

• Managed to weaken Athens' influence without direct conflict.
• Athens eventually negotiated peace, ceding claims.
• Philip used diplomacy to position Macedon as a dominant power.

Philip's Personal Life and Macedonian Politics

• Multiple marriages; divorced Olympias to marry Cleopatra.
• Tension with son Alexander due to marriage politics.

Assassination of Philip II

• Killed by his bodyguard, Pausanias, during a wedding procession.
• Various theories about the motive, including personal revenge.

Philip's Legacy

• Transformed Macedon into a military powerhouse.
• Unified Greece under Macedonian hegemony.
• Plans to conquer Persia set in motion.

Conclusion

• The episode sets the stage for Alexander the Great.
• Macedon poised for further expansion beyond Persia.