Chapter 10: Philip II and the Rise of Macedon

Chaeronea

338. Decisive battle between Philip and the joint forces of Athens and Thebes. Greek casualties were heavy, and Philip's triumph was complete. After Chaeronea, resistance to Philip's authority in Greece would have been futile. As a result of the battle, Thebes' power was demolished and Macedonian power installed in its acropolis (most Greeks didn't mind this, due to Thebes' behavior after Leuctra had bred widespread resentment). Athens escaped significant punishment, and its relationship with Macedonia became much more amicable and Athens no longer resisted Macedonian preeminence in Greece.

Peace of Philocrates

A negotiated peace with Philip orchestrated by the Athenian politician Philocrates in 346. Indicated that faced with the alternatives of fighting Macedon or accepting Philip's terms, Athens chose the latter, and agreed that the city and the Second Athenian League would become allies of Philip and his descendants. Made clear that Athens was unable to prevent the growth of Macedonian power and influence in Greece, and ratified Philip's supremacy in Greece. As the Athenians grew increasingly unhappy with the peace agreement, Philocrates fled into exile. Eventually, in 340, Athens and Philip declared war.

Isocrates

A prominent Athenian theorist, speechwriter, and teacher of rhetoric, he was the voice of trends in Greek thought in the 4th century. He argued that wars against barbarians were beneficial as a way of reducing internal tensions in Greece, and that the solution to Greece's problems was conquering a portion of the Persian Empire to which economically deprived and potentially dangerous segments of Greek society could then emigrate. In other words: How do you unite Greek city-states and solve societal and economic problems? Unite against a common enemy: Persia!

Demosthenes

A very prominent Athenian orator who fervently attacked Philip and his policies. Though initially a supporter of Eubulus, he became disenchanted with him and first advocated war with Philip, and then, in the face of inevitable defeat, advocated peace.

The Corinthian League

An alliance of all the major Greek states except Sparta. Meeting at Corinth, its two goals were 1)to maintain a common peace in Greece and 2) to avenge the Persian aggression against the Greeks. Its council was to pass decrees binding on member states, to arbitrate disputes between them, and to try individuals accused of treason. Member states also pledged mutual nonaggression and support against attack or internal subversion. Philip was the hegemon, or leader, of the alliance, and the commander of the war against Persia.

Eubulus

Athenian politician who pushed for the creation of the THEORIC FUND, which would receive fiscal surpluses and put them towards public benefits (repairing roads and building, religious activities, etc.). It reduced tensions between the rich and poor, but also encouraged a pacifist foreign policy by lessening the poor's need for the pay they received for rowing in the fleet, and by increasing their concern that surplus funds would be redirected to military expenditures and their benefits reduced should war break out. So the Athenians restrained from engaging with Philip's army as the Macedonian threat grew, until they had no choice but to override the Eubulus' sentiments for their own safety.

Besides war, what other strategies allowed Philip to expand Macedonian territory as greatly as he did?

Diplomatic relations; he married numerous times to form alliances and signed multiple treaties. Philip used both brilliant diplomacy and innovations in warfare to expand Macedonia's territory.

What was the government in Macedon like?

Macedon was a monarchy which valued highly war and hunting. The king (or basileus) ruled and exercised polygamy, and could even choose which of his sons would be his successor. The king surrounded himself with hetairoi (royal companions), who were Macedonian nobles that served as advisers, members of the king's bodyguard, and members of an elite cavalry--which meant that assassinations and conspiracies were not uncommon.

How did Philip change battle?

Philip made huge innovations in the nature of the phalanx. He equipped the soldiers with new weapons--a smaller shield, a short sword, and most importantly, a SARISSA (an enormous spear, which made the phalanx look almost like a porcupine). This new phalanx in battle forced enemies to modify their tactics and cope with the inevitable blow that it could inflict. He also strengthened the bond between the army and the king by sharing in its hardships and dangers (he had many wounds from battle), and giving the title of pezhetairoi (foot companions) to the soldiers. He thus created a loyal base of support for his policies, and also created the world's first professional, national army.

Philip II

Philip of Macedon was the king of Macedon who transformed Macedon from a kingdom on the verge of dissolution to a unified state, ruling an empire with far extensions. Though his influence on Greek affairs was largely negative, in that he destroyed numerous cities, he was successful in uniting the Greek city states against a common enemy.

Olympias

Philip's fourth wife and the mother of Philip's chosen successor, Alexander. Fled into exile after Philip's marriage to Cleopatra.

What was the Sacred War?

Phocis, trying to reclaim their independence from Thebes, seized Delphi and used Apollo's treasures to recruit mercenaries (Athens and Sparta were hostile to Thebes and so offered no help in avenging the sacrilege). After Philip crushed Phocis in battle, he negotiated surrender terms with Phocis that resulted in the Phocians agreeing to repay Delphi annually and wit cities in Phocis being broken up.

Pausanias

member of Philip's bodyguard, who assassinated Philip at the wedding of Philip's daughter due to conflicts within the family of Philip's wife, Cleopatra.