(Bust supposedly of Philip II, king of Macedonia, photographed by
Gunnar Bach Pedersen, [Public Domain] via Creative Commons via Creative Commons)
When Philip II became the
undisputed king of Macedonia around 359 BCE, he quickly went about cementing
his legacy as a conqueror. Interestingly, Philip was able to closely study the
strengths and weaknesses of Greek hoplite warfare during the reign of his
brother, Ptolemy, because he was sent to be a diplomatic hostage in Thebes—home
of the elite Sacred Band warriors. Using the data he collected as a hostage,
Philip II created an efficient and deadly fighting force the likes of which had
never been seen before in the ancient world. He outfitted his men in light
armor with small shields and had his troops carry monstrously long spears,
called sarissas. Philip also developed a corps of engineers and drilled his
cavalry to work closely in concert with the infantry. The king’s new army of
Macedonian phalanxes could outreach and outmaneuver the slower Greek hoplites—an
advantage that would make Philip the master of Greece. Philip II gained his
fame and prestige through military innovation and prowess, but he would receive
many lasting wounds and scars during his long years of war.
Conflict came quickly after
Philip II became king. One year after ascending to the throne of Macedonia,
Philip’s new phalanxes got their first taste of battle against the Illyrians.
The battle was a success and the Macedonian military reforms were proven to be
effective. Next, Philip struck out against Athenian power. He captured Athens’
outpost at Amphipolis and their fortress at Pydna in 357 BCE. Macedonian troops
also moved into Thracian lands, capturing the city of Crenides in 356 BCE.
Philip eventually set his
sights once more on Athens in 354 BCE and besieged the city of Methone. The
Athenians put up a strong defense, but Philip’s soldiers and engineers
eventually found a way to attack the town. During one of the assaults that led
to the fall of Methone, Philip II received a wound that would stay with him the
rest of his life. The Macedonian king suffered a blow to the eye, likely caused
by an Athenian arrow. There is little detail on whether the king received a
glancing blow or a horrific puncture, and it is also vague if the eye had to be
completely removed, or if it was just damaged and cloudy. Nevertheless, after
the siege of Methone, Philip II of Macedonia was blind in one of his eyes for
the rest of his life.
Written by C. Keith Hansley.
- Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2011.
-
Alexander the Great: The Story of an Ancient Life by Thomas R. Martin and Christopher W. Blackwell. New York: CambridgeUniversity Press, 2012.
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