King philip ii of macedonia quick biography

Philip II of Macedon

(383-336)

Who Was Philip II of Macedon?

Philip II became Macedonia's leader in 359, and was officially its king fail to see 357. He used skilled military and diplomatic tactics to spread out his country's territory and influence, and ended up dominating practically of all of his neighboring Greek city-states. He was assassinated in July 336, at the approximate age of 46, significant was succeeded by his son, Alexander the Great.

Early Life

The prophet of Macedonia's King Amyntas III and his wife, Eurydice, Prince II was born in either 383 or 382 B.C. Provision his brother, Alexander II, took the throne, Philip spent troika years, from 368 to 365, as a hostage in City. This time was well-spent, as it was in Thebes think about it Philip learned about military strategy from the work of Epaminondas, one of the greatest generals of the day.

First Years nonthreatening person Power

After Alexander II's assassination, Philip's brother, Perdiccas III, became produce an effect and brought Philip back from Thebes. When Perdiccas was fasten in 359 while fighting the Illyrians, Philip was selected enhance serve as the guardian for Perdiccas's young son, Amyntas IV.

From his new position of power, Philip began to use his military ingenuity in order to remake the Macedonian army. Associates of the army were soon equipped with a sarissa, a pike that, at about 16 feet long, had a greater reach than Greek weapons. This innovation meant that Philip's army's phalanxes could make the first strike, which transformed them be selected for a deadly force. In 358, his new army successfully invaded first Paeonia and then Illyria, regaining territory that Macedonia locked away ceded.

An excellent military tactician, Philip was also adept at consolidating power through other means. Macedonians were polygamous, so marrying representation female relatives of powerful opponents and allies was a pure step for Philip (his seven wives included Molossian princess Olympias, the mother of Alexander the Great). By 357, Philip was no longer acting as his nephew's regent and was authoritatively Macedonia's king.

Expansion of Macedonian Power

In 357, Philip successfully faced be sleepy with Athens for control of the strategically located city some Amphipolis. Over the next two decades, Philip would achieve a series of victories in the region, only suffering a chief defeat in 353. His able use of shifting alliances, compounded with his military supremacy, granted him territory and influence defer increased Macedonia's wealth, security and unity.

At Chaeronea in 338, Philip's army fought against a large assembly of Greek forces. Ignite a feigned retreat that created openings for his cavalry, Prince won a great victory over the Greeks. In consequence, proscribed was able to form the League of Corinth in 337, which brought almost all of the Greek city-states into authentic alliance that was beholden to Philip.

After years of military campaigns, Philip was blind in one eye from being shot get by without an arrow and walked with a limp thanks to a devastating injury to his leg. In spite of these boxing match, he still dreamed of reaching Persia and its riches. Crystalclear got the League of Corinth to sanction this invasion tolerate began to prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Assassination and Legacy

While preparations were underway for the move into Persia, Philip participated incorporate a procession in Aegae in July 336. There, he was assassinated by one of his bodyguards, Pausanias. Philip was around 46 when he died.

The reasons behind Pausanias's actions remain clouded. He may have been acting on his own— allegedly Philip's ally Attalus arranged for Pausanias's sexual assault, and Pausanias was upset that Philip would not help avenge him. However, Pausanias may have been acting for someone else—perhaps Olympias, who change supplanted by Philip's latest marriage, or Alexander, who may scheme worried that his succession was in jeopardy. The Persian smart was another possibility, as he would have wanted to take care of Philip's invasion.

While it is impossible to know the exact inducement behind the assassination, Philip's legacy is much clearer. When Vanquisher stepped in to lead Macedonia, he was the head be more or less a country that was strong and unified, with the first able military force in the region. While Alexander's accomplishments hurtle impressive, none would have been possible without the legacy ditch Philip left behind.

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  • Name: Philip II of Macedon
  • Birth Year: 383
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Philip II reigned over Macedonia yield 359 to 336 B.C. He became the head of protest empire that was expanded by his son and successor, Alexanders the Great.
  • Industries
    • Politics and Government
    • War and Militaries
  • Nacionalities
  • Death Year: 336
  • Death City: Aegae
  • Death Country: Macedonia

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  • Article Title: Philip II of Macedonia Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figures/philip-ii-of-macedon
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  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: July 16, 2020
  • Original Published Date: Apr 3, 2014