Philip of macedon and the inspiration of simulation. Richard gabriel, renowned military historian, has given us the first military biography of philip ii of macedonia. Playing the game, reading the manual, and, most importantly, engaging in the process. Philip ii of macedonia university of nebraska press. Hegemony is a real time strategy game that combines elements of grand strategy, strategy, operations, and military tactics. The rise of macedon, its conquest and political consolidation of most. The army of the kingdom of macedon was among the greatest military forces of the ancient. He is a member of a growing number of historians who seek relevant insights to present problems from the distant accounts of greek and roman wars.
Philip ii of macedon entry in historical source book by mahlon h. The evolution of greek military institutions and tactics. Philip ii of macedon lost his eye at the siege of methone, 354 bc philip ii developed into the masterstatesman of his time, a creative politician whose work made macedon a world power for three decades and a great power for a century after that. Alexander the great alexander of macedon biography. Alexander inherited the legacy of philipan ascendant macedonian. Previously we have covered the evolution of the greek armies prior to the rise of macedon, but the military of hellenistic world became really dominant with the reforms of. A republication of my original article at playthepast 582012 my original plan for this essay was to analyze the problem spaces filled in by hegemony and evaluate briefly how defensibly this problem space was presented in light of what ancient evidence suggests about ancient battle. He rebuilt the macedonian army from the core, improving not only its method of training but also armor, tactics and weapons, changing the phalanx into hoplites armed with sarissas and xiphos. Instead, philip intended each man should fight as part of a larger, trained mass. This aspect of his achievement took some years to emerge. His conquests laid the foundation for the mighty empire built by his son, alexander the great. With philips improved military and savvy political knowledge, macedonia was now a force to be reckoned with. The military genius epaminondas had developed the oblique order of battle, which at the time caused a revolution in military tactics. Philips reign was principally marked by an unsuccessful struggle with the emerging power of the roman republic.
Exiled as a hostage in thebes from 369 to 367 bc, he learned about contemporary greek politics and military tactics. Greater than alexander, historian richard gabriel seeks to elevate alexanders father, philip ii, to a greater general and national king than was his son. He was a son of king philip ii of macedon by philinna of larissa, and thus an elder halfbrother of alexander the great. Since the oldest argead brother, alexander ii, was also dead, philip was made regent for his nephew amyntas iv. At no time in macedonian history did things look more dismal than in 360 bce, when balkan tribes killed the king and overran much of macedon. His source for the first part of book 16, which is particularly relevant for. The army of the kingdom of macedon was among the greatest military forces of the ancient world. The player assumes the role of philip of macedonor more strictly speaking a divinely omniscient version of philipthe mid fourth century bce king of a fragmented collection of macedonian tribes and cities macedon was. Why were philip ii of macedons military reforms so. What was the tactic that philip ii of macedon used to defeat. Ancient macedonia grew into a powerful and united country under the leadership of philip ii, or philip of macedon. King of macedonia and conqueror of illyria, thrace, and greece.
He would lead macedon against rome in the first and second macedonian wars, losing both but allying with rome in the romanseleucid war towards the end of his reign. Persia, though it had suffered large setback in the persian wars more then a century before was still a menacing force. The culmination of philip ii of macedons grand strategy kathleen guler in august 338 bc, philip ii of macedon c. By the time of his death, philips army had pushed the macedonian frontier into southern illyria, conquered the paeonians. Philip of macedon, part i posted by mike ramalho on may 2015 00. Ancient macedonia employed a range of tactics and formations in their military campaigns, the most notable of these is the macedonian phalanx, developed by philip ii and used extensively on campaign by his son alexander the great. What military tactics did king philip ii of macedon prezi. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The book is divided into nine chapters following philips life from his. Us army war college quarterly this is an important book on a remarkably successful king. Greece, though weary from constant internal struggling still had supreme power over the hellenistic world. Philip ii and the macedonian army weapons and warfare. The military genius of philip ii of macedon nathaniel thomas.
Philip ii of macedonia 382336 bce, unifier of greece, author of. In fact, the first hundred pages or so of this book are about the creation and the development of macedon and the reign of his father philip ii who created the macedonian army and state and essentially made his sons conquests possible. As a youth he had spent three years in thebes, and it was there that he observed the theban army. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading alexander of macedon, 356323 b. C a historical biography kindle edition by green, peter. In 360 bc philip took power as the sole surviving adult argead.
What military tactics did king philip ii of macedon by. The military genius of philip ii of macedon the great achievements of philip ii of macedon are often overshadowed by the accomplishments of his son alexander the great. Philip ii of macedonia 382336 bce, unifier of greece, author of greeces first. Why were philip ii of macedons military reforms so effective and why had they not been tried before ive read a few books about philips subdication of greece and the importance of the sarissa and his use of cavalry but i cant figure out why it hadnt been done before or why it worked so well against other elite units like the theban band.
By the spear is an impressive book gerard degroot, the times uk. Greek armies at this time were made primarily of a rather inflexible heavy formation called the phalan. What military tactics did king philip ii of macedon. King of macedonia and conqueror of the persian empire. This book establishes philips legitimate and deserved place in military. Named arrhidaeus at birth, he assumed the name philip when he ascended to the throne. For additional protection he wore a helmet most often the corinthian style, covering most of his face except for a tshaped opening that exposed his eyes, nose and mouth unfortunately, it did not allow for peripheral vision. Sep 23, 2015 in 359 bc, philip ii became king of macedonia. Philip ii of macedonia 382336 bce, unifier of greece, author of greeces first federal constitution, founder of the first territorial state with a centralized administrative structure in europe, forger of the first western national army, first great general of the greek imperial age, strategic and tactical genius, and military reformer who revolutionized warfare in greece and the west.
Equipped in such a manner, philip did not intend these pikemen to fight on their own. Jul 31, 2014 although he is often only remembered for being the father of alexander the great, philip ii of macedon reigned 359 bce 336 bce was an accomplished king and military commander in his own right, setting the stage for his sons victory over darius iii and the conquest of persia. But when philip ii came to power in 360 bc, macedon was vulnerable to threats from both greek and nongreek enemies. Wrightson south dakota state gives us a summary of the evolution of greek warfare from the bronze age through the height of the wars of the successors, during which equipment and tactics evolved from those of the homeric epic the hoplite era, to the phalanx, and then the development of combined arms that characterized the armies. Philip helped them against someone and made the archon of it phokis major power in the mid350s. King philip ii conquered 6 occupied territories allowed for alexander the great to conquer persia won freedom for macedonia from the. What were philip iis reforms of the macedonian military and how. He was a member of the argead dynasty of macedonian kings, the third son of king amyntas iii of macedon, and father of alexander the great and philip iii. Philip assumed the macedonian throne for himself at the age of 23 in 359 bce. Battle of chaeronea philip ii of macedons decisive. A great military tactician and strategistas evidenced by the analysis of the battle of chaeronea provided in this book philip built the army that alexander the great used to conquer the known world. Twilight of the polis and the rise of macedon philip, demosthenes and the fall of the polis.
The latest innovations in weapons and tactics were adopted and refined by philip ii. What military tactics did king philip ii of macedon introduce and improve to allow for the successful conquering of greece. He organized his armies into phalanxes of 16 across and 16 deep, each one armed with an 18foot pike. Chapter 3 addresses macedonias military capacity and how philip organised the. Recognising the perilous situation, philip would embark on one of the most. Us army war college quarterly a detailed narrative of the political and military history of phillips region. The new soldier was a hoplite, named for the hoplon, his shield. In this paper, i intend to show why philip deserves more recognition for his many outstanding achievements, and how his accomplishments. May 08, 2012 to be fair, my dissertation and first book were on the roman citizen cavalry of the republic, and my third book on the military and political career of marcellus cos. Philip would replace this with a phrygian helmet that allowed for better hearing and visibility. Richard gabriels latest book on philip ii of macedon is well researched, well.
What was the tactic that philip ii of macedon used to. The kingdom of macedonia lies on the brink of destruction its army defeated and people in despair. Jul 05, 2018 previously we have covered the evolution of the greek armies prior to the rise of macedon, but the military of hellenistic world became really dominant with the reforms of. He was born in pella, the capital of the ancient macedonian kingdom, as the youngest son of king amyntas iii. Us army officer who has penned many books on ancient military figures from. An important book for anyone with an interest in greece, the hellenistic age, and the roots of the west. He suppressed his feudal barons, forged a professional army infused with a national spirit, and developed novel military tactics. Facial reconstruction expert revealed how technique brings past to life, press release of the university of leicester, with a portrait of philip based on a reconstruction of his face. Philip ii of macedonia 382336 bce, unifier of greece, author of greeces. Choice richard gabriels latest book on philip ii of macedon is well researched, well argued, tells a good story, and is a pleasure for both scholars and general readers. Inheriting a kingdom near to collapse, he made macedonia the greatest military power in the western world and left to his son alexander the strongest state in eastern europe. This book establishes philips legitimate and deserved place in military history, which, until now, has been largely minimized in favor of his son by the classicist writers who have dominated the field of ancient biography. By 338 bc, through warfare and diplomacy, philip established macedonian rule over all of greece. Philip ii was born in macedon to king amyntas ii of the royal house of argeadae and his illyrian wife, eurydice.
Then he sent in fastmoving cavalry to finish the job. A steady stream of fascinating stories of brilliant military tactics interspersed with rampant. Alexander iii the great, the king of macedonia and conqueror of the persian empire is considered one of the greatest military geniuses of all times. He reveals the full repertoire of the kings tactics, including several polygamous diplomatic marriages, deceit, bribery, military force, and a knack for playing off. Philip ii was many thingsfather of alexander the great. It was created and made formidable by king philip ii of macedon. Philips intention was to create an army of citizensoldiers who derived their status from military service to the king, in effect fusing two sources of infantry cohesion. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. But the kings younger brother philip immediately took control of the kingdom and initiated the reforms that would turn the macedonian army into. This is a fascinating book in which the noted military historian, richard gabriel, puts forth a strikingly new idea.
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