Philip II of Macedonia

King of Macedonia (r. 359-336 b. c.e.)

Born: 382 b. c.e.; Macedonia (now in Greece)

Died: 336 b. c.e.; Aegae, Macedonia (now in Greece) Also known as: Philip II Category: Government and politics

Life Philip II of Macedonia began his reign by suppressing several pretenders to the throne and protecting Macedonia from foreign intruders, including the Athenians. To meet these threats, Philip created a new, mobile, formidable army, which in 357 b. c.e. he used to conquer the Greek city of Amphipolis. This victory gave him rich gold and silver mining regions, which freed him from financial worries. In 356 b. c.e., he sired Alexander (later the Great). By 354 b. c.e., he had won control of the entire Macedonian coast and much of Thrace. Philip used this opportunity to create new cities and encourage an urban life that survives today.

In 354 b. c.e., Thessaly invited Philip to lead them in the Third Sacred War (356-346 b. c.e.) to liberate Delphi from Phocian temple robbers. He first freed Thessaly from tyrants and, in return, became its legal ruler; he then defeated Phocis. Alarmed by Philip’s success, Athens unsuccessfully challenged him in Thrace. In 349 b. c.e., he conquered and razed Olynthus, and in 346 b. c.e., he forced Athens to conclude with him the Peace of Philocrates.

After the peace, Philip campaigned in the north from 344 to 340 b. c.e., extending his power into modern Albania, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Turning again to Thrace, he attacked Perinthus and Byzantium, provoking Athens to declare war against him. In 339 b. c.e., he marched against Athens and found Thebes also arrayed against him. In 338 b. c.e., he defeated them at Chaeronea and, in 337 b. c.e., created the League of Corinth to establish peace in Greece. Conspirators at the Macedonian court assassinated him in 336 b. c.e.

Philip II of Macedonia is assassinated. (North Wind Picture Archives)

Influence Philip II made Macedonia the leading power in Greece, a position it held until the Roman conquest. He also laid the foundations for Alexander’s achievements.

Further Reading

Borza, Eugene N. Before Alexander: Constructing Early Macedonia. Claremont, Calif.: Regina Books, 1999.

Buckler, J. Philip II and the Sacred War. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 1989.

Cawkwell, G. Philip of Macedon. Boston: Faber & Faber, 1978.

Lonsdale, David J. Alexander the Great, Killer of Men: History’s Greatest Conqueror and the Macedonian Art of War. New York: Carroll & Graf, 2004.

John Buckler

See also: Alexander the Great; Chaeronea, Battle of; Macedonia; Olympias; Sacred Wars.