Phillip II of Macedon

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Phillip II of Macedon

The year was 359 BC. Greece, though weary from constant internal struggling still had supreme power over the Hellenistic world. Persia, though it had suffered large setback in the Persian Wars more then a century before was still a menacing force. The Barbarian State of Macedon was led by warrior kings who aspired to be Greek, yet ruled over a feudal society that was as multicultural as any of its time. Good morning Miss Boeston and class. Today's seminar will conclusively prove to you the statement that "Philip II of Macedon was responsible for the rise to greatness of the Macedonian Empire in the Fourth Century BC" by examining several issues associated with Philip's rule.

Macedon was a weak power, with possible invaders from many points, no access to the Aegean Sea, due to a circle of Greek cities, and a general lack of development in respect to internal governing and external relations. Within the next 36 years the backward state of Macedon would grow into the greatest empire the world had ever seen, enriched with culture of the Greeks, the strength of the Persians and the tactical brilliance of the man the made it all possible, Philip II of Macedon.

Philip II of Macedon was born in 382 BC in the city of Pella, the son of King Amyntas II, but Philip would not ascend to the throne until after the death of his brother.

From the age of fifteen, Philip was a Macedonian hostage living in Thebes during the height of the Theban hegemony. He was a political hostage, and generally treated well. He was held only as an insurance against hostilities between Thebes and Macedon, and it was his three years living as a Greek that gave Philip an advantage as he established himself as the major power in the ...

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...p, and it had also been rumored that she had killed and maimed Philips' other sons. Whatever the truth may be, Philip's short life had accomplished a task which just 50 years earlier would have seemed impossible. He had created one of the strongest, most efficient armies in the world, had gained the wealth of all of Greece, including regions of Thrace, and had laid the foundations for the one of the greatest empires ever formed. In essence, the Barbarian State of Macedon, perhaps centuries behind Athens in cultural and militaristic aspects conquered all of Greece, and after Philip, became the largest empire to have yet risen to glory. This emphasises the incredible leadership qualities possessed by Philip, and, indisputably supports the hypothesis that Philip the Second was responsible for the rise to greatness of the Macedonian Empire during the fourth century BC.

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