Message about Philip II of Macedon. Philip II (King of Macedonia). Start of military campaigns

PHILIP II(c. 382-336 BC), king of Macedonia from 359. Father of Alexander the Great. Completed in 359 the unification of Macedonia. In 359-336 he conquered Thessaly, part of Illyria, Epirus, Thrace, etc. By 338 (after the Battle of Chaeronea) he established hegemony over Greece.

PHILIP II(382-336 BC, Pella), king of ancient Macedonia from the Argead dynasty, an outstanding commander and politician.

Education in Thebes. Rise to power

After the death of his father Amyntas III in 369, a sharp struggle broke out for the Macedonian throne. Thebes, the strongest polis of Hellas at that time, became the arbitrator in the dispute between the two contenders for royal power. The Macedonian affairs were settled, but the guarantee of compliance with the agreement reached was the transfer by both litigants to the Thebans as hostages of boys from noble families. Among the latter was Philip. The young prince received a Greek education in Thebes and learned the lessons of military art under the guidance of Epaminondas, the best commander of that time.

Returning to his homeland, Philip in 359 became regent for his young nephew, and in 356 he took the royal throne. Having suppressed internal opposition and eliminated the threat of attacks from neighbors - warlike Illyrian and Thracian tribes, Philip II directed his further efforts to establish Macedonian hegemony throughout the south of the Balkans.

Reorganization of the army and navy

An important step towards achieving this goal was the reorganization of the army. It was replenished now according to the principle of regular recruiting. Philip changed the traditional formation of troops, improved weapons for soldiers, widely used the latest military equipment, established close cooperation between infantry and cavalry, and the latter was now able to act independently. Innovations also affected the navy: ships of larger sizes than before appeared in it - with four and five rows of oars.

Conquest of Amphipolis. Holy war

Philip's first serious success in expanding the borders of the Macedonian state was the annexation of the large Hellenic policy of Amphipolis (on the northern coast of the Aegean Sea) and the gold-rich Pangean mines. Having established the minting of gold and silver coins, he was able to further strengthen the army by attracting detachments of experienced mercenaries.

A suitable occasion for intervention in Greek affairs presented itself during the Holy War (355-346), declared by Phocis for the robbery of the temple of Apollo at Delphi. This war ended with the defeat of the Phokians by the army of Philip and their complete surrender. At the same time, the Thracian coast of the Aegean Sea, including almost all the former possessions of Athens, came under the rule of Macedonia (Philocrates world 346).

Battle of Chaeronea and creation of the Panhellenic League

Awareness of the Macedonian danger forced many policies of Hellas to rally for a joint rebuff. main role Athens and Thebes played in this coalition. The allied army of the Greeks met with the army of Philip near the city of Chaeronea in Boeotia. There, in a general battle, the allies suffered a complete defeat (338). After that, Macedonian hegemony over Greece became a reality.

At the initiative of Philip, representatives of the Greek policies were gathered in Corinth. The Corinthian Congress proclaimed the creation of the Panhellenic (Panhellenic) Union (337). The main goal was the organization of a campaign against Persia in revenge for the previous devastating campaigns of its kings in Hellas, Philip became the head of the combined Greek-Macedonian forces. War was declared on the Persians, and the advanced military contingents of the Macedonians crossed into Asia Minor. Soon, however, Philip was killed at his daughter's wedding by a young Macedonian aristocrat in revenge for a personal offense. Phillip's plan was carried out by his son

The king of ancient Macedonia, Philip II, took the throne very young - at 23 years old. In 359

BC e. Macedonia was threatened by the invasion of the Illyrians. After the death of King Perdikka III, the country was left without a ruler, with the exception of the young son of Perdikka III Amyntas. "Compassionate" neighbors - Athens, whose influence extended to the north of the Balkan Peninsula, and the Thracians were ready to subjugate a small and weak state to their influence. However, the brother of the murdered king, Philip, managed to settle the matter by paying off the Thracians with gold, and from Athens - the city of Amphipolis, which they extremely needed. Thanks to this, the people proclaimed Philip the king instead of the young Amyntas.

Conscious of the need to expand the state, Philip began with the army. In his youth, having been a hostage in Thebes, he learned something from one of the best strategists of that time - Epaminondas. It was to Philip II that Macedonia owes the famous phalanx, which only the Roman legion could later surpass. The tsar also paid much attention to the artillery of that time, for the creation of which he invited the best mechanics from Syracuse.

Athens. Then Philip, taking advantage of the dispute between Athens and Thebes over the island of Euboea, captured it, along with the Pangean region and gold mines. Using the wealth that was in his hands, Philip began to build a fleet and, through trade, began to actively influence Greece. As a result of the swift actions of Philip II, the Chalcis Union was completely cut off from Central Greece.

In the IV century. BC e. Greece was weakened by the Peloponnesian War and the beginning of the expansion of the policy. No Greek state could claim to be a unifier or peacemaker. The Greeks made claims to each other with or without reason, each time creating new alliances and new enemies. In 355 BC. e. the Holy War broke out, which lasted until 346 BC. e. The inhabitants of the city of Phocis unexpectedly seized the lands belonging to the temple of Apollo. Thebes tried to curb the blasphemers. However, the Phocians responded by capturing the temple of Apollo at Delphi and using the money they stole, they hired an army of 20,000. Since in Macedonia and Hellas they believed in the same gods, Philip II, at the request of Thebes, immediately acted as an ardent defender of the offended Apollo. Despite a series of failures, Philip defeated the troops of the Phocians in Thessaly (352 BC) and liberated Delphi. 3 thousand captives were drowned in the sea to atone for sacrilege, and the body of their deceased commander Onomarch was crucified on the cross. Now it was time to punish the criminal city of Phocis. However, Athens, quickly realizing that the Macedonians just want to get into Central Greece, defended the only way - the Thermopylae passage.

Philip II, deciding not to tempt fate, turned north. For a long time he looked with interest at the rich Olynth, who now found himself surrounded on all sides by Macedonian lands, and said: “Either the Olynthians must leave their city, or I must leave Macedonia.” Having swiftly captured the small cities of the Chalkid Union, the Macedonians laid siege to Olynthus. The siege lasted a year. Thanks to the diplomacy of Philip, the help from Athens, for which the Chalcidians pleaded, was late, the city was taken and destroyed in 348 BC. e.

Now the Athenians, who valued the remnants of their influence in Thrace, agreed to make peace with Macedonia (the Peace of Philocrates - 346 BC) and withdrew the army from Thermopylae. All cunning plans to save Phokis were shattered by the deceit, treachery and gold of the Macedonian. Phocis fell, and their votes in Amphiktion (the union of Greek policies - the guardians of the temple of Apollo in Delphi) went to Philip, who now, as a Hellene, could intervene in Greek affairs on legal grounds. In addition, part of the Greek fortifications on the border of Central Greece and Thermopylae passed to the Macedonian. From now on, the passage to Central Greece was always open to its new owner.

The habitual Hellenic world by the 4th century BC. e. started to crumble. And then, quite unexpectedly, Heraclid appeared - a descendant of Hercules (namely, Philip II counted his family from him), who could take on the role of a unifier or a common enemy, which would also rally the policies. After the victory over Phokis, Philip's popularity in the cities increased.

In all policies there was a struggle between supporters and opponents of the Macedonian king.

The best orators of Athens, Isocrates and Aeschines, supported Philip, believing that he was that great personality who would revive ancient Hellas if he united it under his rule. For the sake of the greatness of Greece, they were ready to say goodbye to the independence of their city. Isocrates argued that Philip's hegemony would be a blessing because he himself was a Greek and a descendant of Hercules. Philip II generously gave gold to his supporters, rightly believing that "there is no such high city wall that a donkey loaded with gold could not step over."

Philip's opponent, the leader of the anti-Macedonian party, the Athenian orator Demosthenes called on the Greeks to fight against the aggressive policy of the Macedonian king. He called Philip a treacherous barbarian, seeking to take over Greece. However, it was not for the Greeks, who had long forgotten what honor is, to reproach Philip for treachery, dishonesty, deceit, dishonesty and lust for power. How many loyal allies and opponents who believed false promises were left on their historical path by Athens, striving for power ...

Despite the successes of Philip's supporters, his opponents managed to gain the upper hand. Demosthenes was able to convince Athens, and with them other Greek cities, of the need to repulse the hypocritical and aggressive Macedonian. He achieved the creation of an anti-Macedonian coalition of Greek policies.

Philip II.

Ivory. 4th century BC e. Found in Vergina (Greece). in the royal tomb / family crypt of the Macedonian kings).

Alexander the Great. Ivory. 4th century BC e. Found in Vergina (Greece). in the royal tomb (family crypt of the Macedonian kings).

the fisses, supported by Athens, encroached on the lands of the Delphic temple. Amphiktyonia, at the suggestion of Aeschines, a Macedonian supporter, remembering the zealous defender of Delphi, turned to Philip II with a request to intercede for the offended deity. Philip, faster than the wind, rushed to Central Greece, effortlessly punished Amfissa and, unexpectedly for everyone, and even for his Thessalian friends, took possession of the city of Elatea at Cefiss, which was the key to Boeotia and Attica.

Panic broke out in the camp of the allies. Thebes, who were right in front of the army of Philip II, trembled with fear. However, Demosthenes, who was not taken aback, who arrived in the city, managed to raise the morale of the citizens and persuaded them to join the anti-Macedonian alliance, headed by ancient opponents of Thebes - Athens.

The united army moved against the Macedonian king. Philip II defined his tactics even earlier: "I retreated like a ram in order to hit harder with my horns." The opportunity to strike after two unsuccessful battles presented itself to him on August 2, 338 BC. e. at Chaeronea. Alexander, the future Tsar Alexander the Great, participated in this battle for the first time.

The Battle of Chaeronea ended the Macedonian conquest of Greece. All the Greeks, and above all the Athenians, expected a massacre and mourned their ancient cities in advance. But Philip dealt with the vanquished with surprising gentleness. He did not demand surrender and offered them an alliance. Greece looked at such a diplomatic, educated and generous Philip with admiration. The offensive nickname "barbarian" was forgotten, and everyone immediately remembered that he was Heraclid.

In 337 BC. e. on the initiative of Philip II, a pan-Greek “congress” was convened in Corinth (the dream of Pericles came true!), which formed the Pan-Hellenic Union - only Sparta did not enter it - and declared Philip the hegemon of Greece. And in vain did Demosthenes frighten the Athenians at one time: “He (Philip) hates our free institutions most of all ... because he knows perfectly well that if he subjugates all peoples to his power, he will not firmly own anything until you have democracy." Philip left the political system of the city-states unchanged, and the proclaimed Holy Peace (finally peace!) forbade them to interfere in each other's affairs. Moreover, for the triumph of the common Greek idea and the rallying of the Greeks, the Pan-Hellenic Union declared war on the Iranian state, appointing Philip II as an autocratic strategist.

But he did not have time to start a new campaign. In 336 BC. e. Philip was killed. Alexander, who looked so little like his father, was supposed to continue his work. If Philip was a genius of diplomacy, then Alexander became the deity of war.

Alexander was born at the end of July 356 BC. e. in the capital of Macedonia - Pella. The son of a fan of Greek culture, Alexander, in addition to military affairs and horseback riding, studied music, mathematics and Greek literature. The admiration for the great creations of the Hellenes by the young Macedonian was so great that he even carried Homer's Iliad with him on campaigns and laid it at the head of the head next to the sword at night. True, he was inspired not by poems, but by the exploits of heroes. But even Greek literature could not soften the passionate and unbridled character of Alexander - he always compared himself with Achilles, from whom, by his mother, the frantic and power-hungry Olympias, he descended. Couldn't handle it and famous philosopher Aristotle, who, at the choice of his father, was to become a mentor to a 13-year-old teenager.

In addition to ethics and philosophy, Aristotle taught Alexander and the science of the state. But the ideal of a great teacher was far away. Macedonia was full of noble families who sought to control the king. Greece, after the death of Philip II, decided to win back its freedom.

Alexander began his reign by destroying all possible contenders for the throne, and then reminded Hellas of Macedonian rule. The initial demonstration of power at the borders made the Greeks change their minds, and they recognized Alexander for all the rights of the murdered Philip II: he was elected archon, strategist-autocrat of Hellas and recognized as hegemon. Alexander calmly departed north to fight the barbarians.

However, Thebes was the first to break down, instigated by Athens, who had a low opinion of the abilities of the young king. It is one thing to defeat some barbarian tribes, another thing is to take one of the most powerful cities in Greece. Is it possible for a boy? It turned out that yes. Alexander's army quickly marched (in 13 days) from Thrace to Thebes. And, despite the courageous resistance of the best Theban army in Greece, the city was taken. Alexander, in the words of the ancient Greek historian Diodorus, "brutalized soul." All the inhabitants of the city, with the exception of the priests and supporters of the Macedonians, were sold into slavery (30 thousand people), the male population was exterminated, and the city itself was wiped off the face of the earth. Apparently, as a tribute to Greek literature, the king left in the open field only the house of the poet Pindar. Only then did the Greeks appreciate the velvet policy of Philip II, when Alexander showed them the "iron fist".

Now that the Greeks, who had lost all hope, were pacified, Alexander finally decided to start a war with the Achaemenid power. This war was to be perceived by the Greeks as revenge for the desecration of the Hellenic shrines in the previous Greco-Persian wars. The desire of Alexander, who "dreamed of inheriting power, fraught not with luxury, pleasure and wealth, but with battles, wars and the struggle for glory" (Plutarch), seems to have been close to being realized. To cut his way back, Alexander gave away most of his lands in Macedonia and hopefully turned his glory-hungry gaze on Iran. In 334 to

1 Macedonian kingdom and dependent territories.

2. The territory of the Persian kingdom by 334 BC e.

Directions of campaigns of Alexander the Great;

3) to Asia Minor and Egypt;

4) to the center of Persia;

5) to Central Asia and India:

6) return to Babylon.

7. Places of the most important battles.

8. The most important cities founded by Alexander the Great.

n. e. Alexander threw his spear at the Asian coast, thus declaring his rights to this territory, and landed on the coast of Asia Minor with an army of 50,000.

Alexander was so eager to fight that, having met the enemy at the Granik River, he immediately ordered his cavalry to swim across to the other (steep!) Bank of the river and attack the enemy (according to experienced commanders, this was a crazy plan). The battle that began in the water, with the Iranians who did not expect such pressure, was won! Inspired by the first success, the commander, plundering and ruining everything in his path, rushed through the cities of Asia Minor in a whirlwind, subjugating them and establishing democratic rule (but not granting them independence, however).

In Gordion, Alexander showed everyone how he solves complex problems. In this city there was a famous wagon, to the drawbar of which, according to legend, the Phrygian king Gordius tied a yoke with a tangled knot (Gordian knot). The prediction said that whoever unties this knot will gain dominion over the world. Having fiddled with the intricacies of the ropes, Alexander, seeing the futility of his attempts, in a rage cut the knot with his sword.

Philip II took the sons of noble compatriots into his retinue in order to accustom them to work and military duties, mercilessly punishing them for their tendency to effeminacy and flattery. So, he ordered to beat one young man who arbitrarily left the line, wanting to quench his thirst, and he executed another because he did not follow the order not to take off his weapon and tried to win the favor of the king by flattery and servility.

Having won a victory at Chaeronea over the Athenians, Philip was very proud of himself, but so that vanity would not blind him too much, he ordered his servant to say to him every morning: "King, you are a man."

The Greeks did not stop making fun of Alexander, who wanted to convince everyone that he was not a man, but a deity. When one day it became known that Alexander fell ill and the doctor prescribed him a healing drink, they repeated the words of a certain mocker: "The hopes of our deity are at the bottom of the cup."

The mother of Alexander the Great, Olympias, having learned that her son had been lying without burial for a long time, grieved and said: “Child, you aspired to the share of the celestials, now you are denied even what all people on earth receive - in the grave.”

The Iranian king Darius III Kodoman was looking for a meeting with the invader. Iran has long been famous for its cavalry, which was strong on flat ground. The Iranian king, no less than Alexander, was confident in his abilities and was in such a hurry to meet the uninvited guest that, not listening to any advice, he entered the rugged terrain of Cilicia, deciding to go to Alexander's rear. Now the Iranians could not take advantage of their famous cavalry and even numerical superiority (according to ancient historians, the army of Darius III outnumbered the Macedonian three times).

November 12, 333 BC e. The battle took place on the river Pindar near the city of Iss. The Macedonian troops slowly approached the enemy and immediately went on the attack. The Iranians began to retreat under the onslaught of the Greeks and Macedonians. Alexander, who fought in the forefront, noticed Darius on a gilded chariot in the center of the army and rushed towards him, not noticing the wound and destroying everything in his path. Fast, furious, impulsive, he sought to finish the job with one blow - the single combat of kings should decide which of them to rule in Asia. But Darius, standing among the fighting and dying bodyguards and nobles, seeing the Macedonian king so close intoxicated with battle, was the first of his army to rush to escape. After that, even the left flank of the Iranians, which had successfully pressed the Macedonians, fled. Panic began, which ended in a crushing defeat for the Iranian army. The whole family of the Iranian king was captured by Alexander.

Entering the camping tent of Darius, which rather resembled a palace, the half-impoverished Macedonian king, who did not see such luxury in meager Greece, said in puzzlement: “This, apparently, means to reign.”

The escaped Iranian king was not dangerous in the near future, and Alexander went to Egypt. Along the way, he easily took luxurious Damascus, in which Darius's traveling treasury remained. It was then that the Macedonians felt a taste for luxury. But the commander did not give them enough to enjoy the eastern bliss and the brilliance of gold. He impatiently drove the army forward. On the way to Egypt, Alexander, accustomed to the rapid surrender of cities, was unexpectedly stopped by the rebellious inhabitants of the city of Tyre, who stubbornly did not want to give up. Tire forced the Macedonians into a long siege. Even the god Apollo, according to legend, who appeared in a dream to the persistent townspeople, could not persuade them to surrender to Alexander. The inhabitants of Tyre recognized Apollo as a traitor, entangled his statue with ropes, nailed it to the plinth (so that he would not go to Alexander), and called him "Alexandrist". However, these measures did not help, and after a seven-month siege, the city was taken. Unforgiving resistance, enraged Alexander ordered the execution of 6 thousand prisoners, crucified 2 thousand and sold 30 thousand into slavery. The same fate befell the city of Gaza.

While Alexander carried out the massacre, Darius unsuccessfully sent assassins to him. When does he not

managed to eliminate the opponent, Darius sent ambassadors to Alexander with a proposal of peace and alliance. But in response, the Macedonian king demanded unconditional surrender. The ambassadors left with nothing, and Alexander went to Egypt.

Egypt, long hostile to Iran, surrendered without resistance. Alexander was proclaimed the son of the god Amun and "king of Lower and Upper Egypt."

The newly-appeared pharaoh did not stay long in Egypt. Against the "son of God" Darius III again spoke with a huge army. The two armies met at the village of Gaugamela (331 BC). This time, Alexander answered all the astonished questions of his friends who were accustomed to his attacks on the move: “I don’t steal the victory.” The king ordered the soldiers to rest. And Darius with his millionth (according to the ancient Greek historian Arrian) army stood all night, waiting for an attack. And when the rested Macedonians went on the attack, the Iranian army, exhausted by night standing, offered them sluggish resistance. A large number turned out to be a disadvantage for them: because of their crowding, the Iranians were an excellent target for Macedonian spears and swords. And again, being in the thick of the fight, Darius III was the first to break down. Alexander, rushing towards him, managed to notice only the retreating back of the king. With a general panic in the Iranian army, the retreating began to be beaten.

The Macedonians inflicted a decisive defeat at the Battle of Gaugamela. Iranian troops. After this battle, only one ruler remained in Asia - Alexander the Great, who sat on the throne of the Achaemenids in Susa. The treasures of Susa were piled at the feet of the king: the royal treasury of Darius III in 50 thousand talents (1310 tons) of silver, Greek valuables, a tribute from almost all the peoples of the world.

But Susa and Babylon were not the ultimate goal of Alexander's Iranian campaign. There was still the capital of Persia - Persepolis. The two capitals of one state had a different fate! If in Babylon Alexander did not touch a single stone, then Persepolis gave his army to plunder. The swords of the Greeks and Macedonians knew no mercy. To top it all, inflamed with wine and the unreasonable speeches of the hetaera Thais from Athens, Alexander ordered the city to be set on fire.

After the conquest of the Achaemenid capital, Alexander released the Greek allies. The Hellenes' war with Iran is over. The war of Alexander the Great began for dominion over the ecumene - the world known to people.

Alexander the Great and Darius III.

opponent. With joyful exclamations, urging his horse on, he literally flew to the place where he was pointed, and finally overtook Darius. He was dying, abandoned by everyone, treacherously slain by his satrap Bess. Dismounting from his horse, Alexander tried to hear his death rattle. When Darius III expired, Alexander announced to the army that the Iranian king had made him his successor. It was not in vain that he sat on the throne of the Achaemenids, made sacrifices to the god Marduk in Babylon and ordered the restoration of the tomb of Cyrus, the founder of the Persian state! From now on, Alexander became the "legitimate" successor and heir of Darius III on the Iranian throne.

Alexander with surprising ease adopted the barbaric methods of government and the barbaric habits of the former rulers of Iran. After all, he was not a Greek, but only touched the Greek culture, but did not absorb it, despite his love for Homer. He was much more attracted by the omnipotence and permissiveness of the ruler of Asia than by the simplicity and unpretentiousness of the king of Macedonia. Alexander put on Persian court clothes, which caused a lot of hidden fun and sidelong glances of the Macedonians; acquired a harem of 300 concubines. He demanded that they prostrate before him, that old friends asked him for an audience. Woe was to the one who did not accept the gifts of the king - he never forgave this. With a generous hand, he bestowed thirsty riches. The ruler of Asia arranged magnificent receptions and ordered that he be worshiped everywhere as a god.

The Macedonian nobility, who tried to criticize the "divine" Alexander, paid for their arrogance: the executions of the generals Permenion and Philot forced her to shut up. Unrestrained and stubborn, Alexander could not stand the attempt on his royal dignity - Clit, his childhood friend, who saved his life in the battle of Granik, became a victim of his unbridled and despotism. Infuriated by the impudent speeches of Clitus, the king killed him at a feast.

But the luxurious courtyard and magnificent ceremonies could not restrain Alexander, whose greedy gaze, not having time to look at what he had acquired, was already striving for new lands.

The reason for the new campaigns was that the murderer of Darius III Bess also proclaimed himself the king of Asia. The army of Alexander, having hardly crossed the mountains, occupied Bactria (Afghanistan) and, having overcome the waterless desert with incredible difficulties, entered Sogdiana. Bess was captured and died under terrible torture.

In Central Asia, Alexander showed himself even less human than before: Branchides, Central Asian Gaza, Kiropol were wiped off the face of the earth. Even the trees were not spared by the swords of the lord of Asia, who left behind a bare desert instead of oases. For a long time this ancient land remembered the heavy hand of Alexander the Great! Worse than the barbarians was this unfaithful student of the Greek philosophers. However, the mad temper of Alexander did not spare the philosophers either: the philosopher Callisthenes, who dared

criticize his eastern policy, died in prison.

From devastated Central Asia, Alexander the Great went to fabulous India (327 BC). Having conquered the Punjab and founded the cities of Nicaea and Bukefalia, Alexander was eager for the Indus to the last, as he hoped, the Eastern Sea. But the victory march was stopped by his own troops. The Macedonians, who tirelessly conquered the inhabited world for Alexander for eight years, could not stand it. They refused to cross the river Gefasis (Beas) in front of the Ganges valley (326 BC). Neither threats, nor persuasion, nor appeal to the gods and military honor, the king could not force his soldiers to take even a step forward. And the ruler of Asia turned back. But in the end, for the edification and intimidation of his descendants, he ordered to leave the “camp of giants” at the site of the last stop. Huge tents, weapons, stables and 12 grandiose altars were supposed to convince everyone that giants stopped here.

But Alexander did not go back the old way - he decided to reach the ocean, if not in the east, then in the south. Macedonian troops, descending the Indus, conquered the cities on its banks and destroyed the inhabitants.

Having reached the cherished surface of the Indian Ocean, Alexander decided to return by land with part of the troops, and sent his friend and commander Nearchus with another part of the army to get home by sea. Perhaps later Alexander bitterly regretted that he had chosen such a path for himself. His path lay through the hot, treacherous and waterless sands of southeastern Iran. Three-quarters of the victorious army remained in the burning sands of the Gedrosian desert.

Having entered into his possessions, Alexander learned that not everything was calm in his vast kingdom. Many satraps, who had passed to him from Darius III and left by the king in their posts, willingly believed the rumor about the death of Alexander, decided to form their own states. Many heads of these newly appeared kings and heads of garrisons, guilty of abuse of power, rolled down. But Alexander did not manage to establish the final order in his huge power. He defeated the Iranian state, taking advantage of its main weakness - fragmentation, but did not eradicate this vice.

The army of Alexander now ceased to be purely Greek - more than half of it was made up of residents of conquered countries. Even the highest military posts could be received by Iranians.

Alexander the Great made Babylon the capital of his state. The new cities founded by Alexander were to become the backbone of the Greco-Macedonian rulers in Asia. The huge power created as a result of the conquests of Alexander the Great, stretched from the Danube to the Indus and was the largest state of the Ancient World.

Battle of the Persians with the Greeks.

In 324 BC. e. Alexander began to prepare for new campaigns. His next victim was to be the Mediterranean: Carthage, North Africa, Sicily, Spain, Italy. Alexander was going to send the Nearchus fleet to reconnoiter the western coast of Africa, which subsequently, having set off to fulfill Alexander's covenant, never returned.

But the king did not have time to complete what he started. 23 June 323 BC e. Alexander the Great, the ruler of half the world, died in Babylon of a fever, without realizing all his plans. After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire, deprived of a strong internal connection, fell apart like a house of cards. His commanders divided the world among themselves, and the coffin with the body of Alexander was taken to his part of the possessions by the satrap of Egypt, Ptolemy Lag, who made Alexander the patron god of his kind (see the article “Hellenistic States”).

A long memory has remained for centuries about Alexander the Great. And the reason for this is not his power, which fell apart immediately after his death. Nor was he the founder of a new dynasty: his two sons, Alexander and Heracles, died young in bloody strife. His youth and the ease with which he conquered half the world caused delight and envy. How many future great commanders repeated the words of Alexander: "20 years - and nothing for immortality!" Caesar thought with admiration of the amazing fate of Alexander the Great. Napoleon and Suvorov read books about his campaigns. How many legends circulated around the world, and how many eastern rulers derived their family from Iskander the Two-horned (as Alexander was called in the East). Many of the cities he founded (more than 30) in different parts of the world, bearing his name, were reminiscent of the great conquests. Some of them have survived to our time: Iskenderun (Alexandria under Issus), Al-Iskandaria (Alexandria of Egypt), Herat (Alexandria in Aria), Kandahar (Alexandria in Arachosia), Khujand (Alexandria Extreme).

And let the Greeks, whom the king forced to venerate himself as an Olympian, mockingly declared: “Let us leave Alexander, if he so desires, to call himself a god.” He still became one. He became the idol of young minds, the embodiment of good luck, a legend and an amazing story for his contemporaries and descendants.

PHILIP II(c. 382-336 BC), king of Macedonia from 359 from the Argead dynasty. Father of Alexander the Great. Completed in 359 the unification of Macedonia. In 359-336 he conquered Thessaly, part of Illyria, Epirus, Thrace, etc. By 338 (after the Battle of Chaeronea) he established hegemony over Greece.

An important step towards achieving this goal was the reorganization of the army. It was replenished now according to the principle of regular recruiting. Philip changed the traditional formation of troops, improved weapons for soldiers, widely used the latest military equipment, established close interaction between infantry and cavalry, and the latter was now able to act independently. Innovations also affected the navy: ships of larger sizes than before appeared in it - with four and five rows of oars.

Awareness of the Macedonian danger forced many policies of Hellas to rally for a joint rebuff. The main role in this coalition was played by Athens and Thebes. The allied army of the Greeks met with the army of Philip near the city of Chaeronea in Boeotia. There, in a general battle, the allies suffered a complete defeat (338). After that, Macedonian hegemony over Greece became a reality.

A. A. Molchanov

Alexander the Great(Alexander III the Great) (356, Pella, Macedonia - June 13, 323 BC, Babylon), king of Macedonia since 336, commander, creator of the largest state of the ancient world, son of Philip II of Macedon.

Heir of Philip II

The son of the Macedonian king Philip II and the queen of Olympias, Alexander received an excellent education for his time, his tutor from the age of 13 was Aristotle. Alexander's favorite reading was the heroic poems of Homer. He underwent military training under the guidance of his father. Already in early years he demonstrated exceptional abilities for military leadership. In 338 Alexander's personal participation in the Battle of Chaeronea largely decided the outcome of the battle in favor of the Macedonians.

The youth of the heir to the Macedonian throne was overshadowed by the divorce of his parents. Philip's remarriage to another woman (Cleopatra) caused a quarrel between Alexander and his father. After the mysterious assassination of King Philip in June 336 BC. e. 20-year-old Alexander was enthroned.

Hike to the East

The main task of the young king was to prepare for a military campaign in Persia. Alexander inherited from Philip the strongest army Ancient Greece, but he understood that in order to defeat the huge power of the Achaemenids, the efforts of all Hellas would be needed. He managed to create a pan-Hellenic (general Greek) union and form a united Greek-Macedonian army.

The elite of the army were the bodyguards of the king (hypaspists) and the Macedonian royal guard. The basis of the cavalry were horsemen from Thessaly. Foot soldiers wore heavy bronze armor, their main weapon was the Macedonian spear - sarissa. Alexander perfected his father's combat tactics. He began to build the Macedonian phalanx at an angle, such a formation made it possible to concentrate forces to attack the right flank of the enemy, traditionally weak in the armies of the ancient world. In addition to heavy infantry, the army had a considerable number of lightly armed auxiliary detachments from different cities of Greece. The total number of infantry was 30 thousand people, cavalry - 5 thousand. Despite the relatively small number, the Greek-Macedonian army was well trained and armed.

In 334, the army of the Macedonian king crossed the Hellespont (modern Dardanelles), a war began under the slogan of revenge on the Persians for the desecrated Greek shrines of Asia Minor. At the first stage of hostilities, Alexander was opposed by the Persian satraps who ruled Asia Minor. Their 60,000-strong army was defeated in 333 at the Battle of the Granik River, after which the Greek cities of Asia Minor were liberated. However, the state of the Achaemenids possessed huge human and material resources. King Darius III, having gathered the best troops from all over his country, moved towards Alexander, but in decisive battle at Issus, near the border of Syria and Cilicia (the area of \u200b\u200bmodern Iskanderun, Turkey), his 100,000th army was defeated, and he himself barely escaped.

Defeat of the Achaemenid Empire

Alexander decided to take advantage of the fruits of his victory and continued the campaign. The successful siege of Tire opened the way for him to Egypt, and in the winter of 332-331 the Greek-Macedonian phalanxes entered the Nile valley. The population of the countries enslaved by the Persians perceived the Macedonians as liberators. To maintain stable power in the occupied lands, Alexander took an extraordinary step - proclaiming himself the son of the Egyptian god Ammon, identified by the Greeks with Zeus, he became the legitimate ruler (pharaoh) in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Another way to strengthen power in the conquered countries was the resettlement of Greeks and Macedonians in them, which contributed to the spread of the Greek language and culture over vast territories. For the settlers, Alexander specially founded new cities, usually bearing his name. The most famous of them is Alexandria (Egyptian).

After the financial reform in Egypt, Alexander continued his campaign to the East. Greco-Macedonian army invaded Mesopotamia. Darius III, having gathered all possible forces, tried to stop Alexander, but to no avail; On October 1, 331, the Persians were finally defeated in the battle of Gaugamela (near modern Irbil, Iraq). The victors occupied the original Persian lands, the cities of Babylon, Susa, Persepolis, Ecbatana. Darius III fled, but was soon killed by Bessus, satrap of Bactria; Alexander ordered to bury the last Persian ruler with royal honors in Persepolis. The Achaemenid state ceased to exist.

Alexander was proclaimed "King of Asia". After the occupation of Ecbatana, he sent home all the Greek allies who wanted this. In his state, he planned to create a new ruling class from the Macedonians and Persians, sought to win over the local nobility, which caused discontent among his associates. In 330, the oldest military leader Parmenion and his son, the head of the cavalry Philot, were executed, accused of involvement in a conspiracy against Alexander.

Completion of the campaign

Having crossed the eastern Iranian regions, Alexander's army invaded Central Asia (Bactria and Sogdiana), the local population of which, led by Spitamen, put up fierce resistance; he was suppressed only after the death of Spitamen in 328. Alexander tried to observe local customs, wore Persian royal clothes, and married the Bactrian Roxana. However, his attempt to introduce Persian court ceremonial (in particular, prostrating before the king) ran into rejection by the Greeks. Alexander dealt ruthlessly with the dissatisfied. His foster brother Clitus, who dared to disobey him, was immediately killed.

After the Greek-Macedonian troops entered the Indus Valley, a battle took place between them and the soldiers of the Indian king Porus at Hydaspes (326). The Indians were defeated. Pursuing them, Alexander's army descended down the Indus to the Indian Ocean (325). The Indus Valley was annexed to the empire of Alexander. The exhaustion of the troops and the mutinies that broke out in them forced Alexander to turn west.

Returning to Babylon, which became his permanent residence, Alexander continued the policy of uniting the multilingual population of his state, rapprochement with the Persian nobility, which he attracted to govern the state. He arranged mass weddings of Macedonians with Persians, he himself married (in addition to Roxana) at the same time two Persians - Stateira (daughter of Darius) and Parisatida. Alexander was preparing to conquer Arabia and North Africa, but this was prevented by his sudden death from malaria. His body, delivered to Alexandria of Egypt by Ptolemy (one of the companions of the great commander), was placed in a golden coffin. Alexander's newborn son and his half-brother Arrhidaeus were proclaimed new kings of a huge power. In fact, Alexander's commanders, the Diadochi, began to rule the empire, who soon began a war for the division of the state among themselves. The political and economic unity that Alexander the Great sought to create in the occupied lands was fragile, but the Greek influence in the East turned out to be very fruitful and led to the formation of a Hellenistic culture. The personality of Alexander the Great was extremely popular both among European peoples and in the East, where he is known under the name Iskander Zulkarnein (or Iskandar Zulkarnain, which means Alexander the Two-horned in translation).

M. Y. Thessaloniki

The king of ancient Macedonia, Philip II, took the throne very young - at 23 years old. In 359 BC. e. Macedonia was threatened by the invasion of the Illyrians. After the death of King Perdikka III, the country was left without a ruler, with the exception of the young son of Perdikka III Amyntas. "Compassionate" neighbors - Athens, whose influence extended to the north of the Balkan Peninsula, and the Thracians were ready to subjugate a small and weak state to their influence. However, the brother of the murdered king, Philip, managed to settle the matter by paying off the Thracians with gold, and from Athens - the city of Amphipolis, which they extremely needed. Thanks to this, the people proclaimed Philip the king instead of the young Amyntas.

With such a strong army in reserve, Philip II could seriously think about turning small Macedonia into a rich and influential state. Athens bitterly regretted that, seduced by a rich bribe, they left such a quick youth without attention. Philip took Amphipolis from them, taking a number of other cities subject to Athens, and immediately gave some of them to his eastern neighbors - the Chalcis Union led by Olynthus, preventing their intention to support Athens. Then Philip, taking advantage of the dispute between Athens and Thebes over the island of Euboea, captured it, along with the Pangean region and gold mines. Using the wealth that was in his hands, Philip began to build a fleet and, through trade, began to actively influence Greece. As a result of the swift actions of Philip II, the Chalcis Union was completely cut off from Central Greece.

Philip II, deciding not to tempt fate, turned north. For a long time he looked with interest at the rich Olynthus, who now found himself surrounded on all sides by Macedonian lands, and said: "Either the Olynthians should leave their city, or I - from Macedonia." Having swiftly captured the small cities of the Chalkid Union, the Macedonians laid siege to Olynthus. The siege lasted a year. Thanks to the diplomacy of Philip, the help from Athens, for which the Chalcidians pleaded, was late, the city was taken and destroyed in 348 BC. e.

In all policies there was a struggle between supporters and opponents of the Macedonian king.

The cunning Philip decided to strike at the Thracian and Hellespont Bosporus straits in order to cut off Central Greece from its Black Sea possessions. He laid siege to Byzantium and the Iranian city of Perinth. However, this time, having neutralized the supporters of Macedonia, Athens managed to help Byzantium. Perinf was helped by the indignant Iranian king Darius III. Philip retreated (340 BC). It was a palpable defeat. Middle Greece could rejoice. Philip decided not to stir up this "hornet's nest" for the time being, leaving his supporters, gold and time to act. His patience was not in vain. Greece could not long live in peace. A new Holy War has begun. This time, the inhabitants of the city of Amfissa, supported by Athens, encroached on the lands of the Delphic temple. Amphiktyonia, at the suggestion of Aeschines, a Macedonian supporter, remembering the zealous defender of Delphi, turned to Philip II with a request to intercede for the offended deity. Philip, faster than the wind, rushed to Central Greece, effortlessly punished Amfissa and, unexpectedly for everyone, and even for his Thessalian friends, took possession of the city of Elatea at Cefiss, which was the key to Boeotia and Attica.

In 337 BC. e. on the initiative of Philip II, a pan-Greek "congress" was convened in Corinth (the dream of Pericles came true!), Which formed the Pan-Hellenic Union - only Sparta was not included in it - and declared Philip the hegemon of Greece. And in vain did Demosthenes frighten the Athenians at one time: “He (Philip) hates our free institutions most of all ... because he knows perfectly well that if he subjugates all peoples to his power, he will not firmly own anything until you have democracy." Philip left the political system of the city-states unchanged, and the proclaimed Holy Peace (finally peace!) forbade them to interfere in each other's affairs. Moreover, for the triumph of the common Greek idea and the rallying of the Greeks, the Pan-Hellenic Union declared war on the Iranian state, appointing Philip II as an autocratic strategist.

Alexander was born at the end of July 356 BC. e. in the capital of Macedonia - Pella. The son of a fan of Greek culture, Alexander, in addition to military affairs and horseback riding, studied music, mathematics and Greek literature. The admiration for the great creations of the Hellenes by the young Macedonian was so great that he even carried Homer's Iliad with him on campaigns and laid it at the head of the bed next to the sword at night. True, he was inspired not by poems, but by the exploits of heroes. But even Greek literature could not soften the passionate and unbridled character of Alexander - he always compared himself with Achilles, from whom, by his mother, the frantic and power-hungry Olympias, he descended. The famous philosopher Aristotle, who, at the choice of his father, was to become a mentor to a 13-year-old teenager, could not cope with him either.

Entering the camping tent of Darius, which rather resembled a palace, the half-impoverished Macedonian king, who did not see such luxury in meager Greece, said in puzzlement: "This, apparently, means to reign."

The escaped Iranian king was not dangerous in the near future, and Alexander went to Egypt. Along the way, he easily took luxurious Damascus, in which Darius's traveling treasury remained. It was then that the Macedonians felt a taste for luxury. But the commander did not give them enough to enjoy the eastern bliss and the brilliance of gold. He impatiently drove the army forward. On the way to Egypt, Alexander, accustomed to the rapid surrender of cities, was unexpectedly stopped by the rebellious inhabitants of the city of Tyre, who stubbornly did not want to give up. Tire forced the Macedonians into a long siege. Even the god Apollo, according to legend, who appeared in a dream to the persistent townspeople, could not persuade them to surrender to Alexander. The inhabitants of Tire recognized Apollo as a traitor, entangled his statue with ropes, nailed it to the plinth (so as not to go to Alexander), and called him "Alexandrist". However, these measures did not help, and after a seven-month siege, the city was taken. Unforgiving resistance, enraged Alexander ordered the execution of 6 thousand prisoners, crucified 2 thousand and sold 30 thousand into slavery. The same fate befell the city of Gaza.

While Alexander carried out the massacre, Darius unsuccessfully sent assassins to him. When he failed to eliminate the rival, Darius sent ambassadors to Alexander with a proposal of peace and alliance. But in response, the Macedonian king demanded unconditional surrender. The ambassadors left with nothing, and Alexander went to Egypt.

Egypt, long hostile to Iran, surrendered without resistance. Alexander was proclaimed the son of the god Amun and "king of Lower and Upper Egypt".

The newly-appeared pharaoh did not stay long in Egypt. Against the "son of God" again came Darius III with a huge army. The two armies met at the village of Gaugamela (331 BC). This time, Alexander answered all the astonished questions of his friends who were accustomed to his attacks on the move: "I do not steal victory." The king ordered the soldiers to rest. And Darius with his millionth (according to the ancient Greek historian Arrian) army stood all night, waiting for an attack. And when the rested Macedonians went on the attack, the Iranian army, exhausted by night standing, offered them sluggish resistance. A large number turned out to be a disadvantage for them: because of their crowding, the Iranians were an excellent target for Macedonian spears and swords. And again, being in the thick of the fight, Darius III was the first to break down. Alexander, rushing towards him, managed to notice only the retreating back of the king. With a general panic in the Iranian army, the retreating Shih began to be beaten.

At the battle of Gaugamela, the Macedonians inflicted a decisive defeat on the Iranian troops. After this battle, only one ruler remained in Asia - Alexander the Great, who sat on the throne of the Achaemenids in Susa. The treasures of Susa were piled at the feet of the king: the royal treasury of Darius III in 50 thousand talents (1310 tons) of silver, Greek valuables, a tribute from almost all the peoples of the world.

But while Darius III was alive, Alexander could not calmly rule. The Iranian king still had enough satrapies - regions, sometimes including entire countries, where he could again gather troops. And Alexander rushed in pursuit of Darius, simultaneously subjugating the remaining parts of the Achaemenid state. In July 330 BC. e. The king overtook his rival. With joyful exclamations, urging his horse on, he literally flew to the place where he was pointed, and finally overtook Darius. He was dying, abandoned by everyone, treacherously slain by his satrap Bess. Dismounting from his horse, Alexander tried to hear his death rattle. When Darius III expired, Alexander announced to the army that the Iranian king had made him his successor. It was not in vain that he sat on the throne of the Achaemenids, made sacrifices to the god Marduk in Babylon and ordered the restoration of the tomb of Cyrus, the founder of the Persian state! Henceforth, Alexander became the "legitimate" successor and heir of Darius III on the Iranian throne.

But the luxurious courtyard and magnificent ceremonies could not restrain Alexander, whose greedy gaze, not having time to look at what he had acquired, was already striving for new lands.

In Central Asia, Alexander showed himself even less human than before: Branchides, Central Asian Gaza, Kiropol were wiped off the face of the earth. Even the trees were not spared by the swords of the lord of Asia, who left behind a bare desert instead of oases. For a long time this ancient land remembered the heavy hand of Alexander the Great! Worse than the barbarians was this unfaithful student of the Greek philosophers. However, philosophers were not spared by Alexander's frenzied temper: the philosopher Callisthenes, who dared to criticize his eastern policy, died in prison.

From devastated Central Asia, Alexander the Great went to fabulous India (327 BC). Having conquered the Punjab and founded the cities of Nicaea and Bukefalia, Alexander was eager for the Indus to the last, as he hoped, the Eastern Sea. But the victory march was stopped by his own troops. The Macedonians, who tirelessly conquered the inhabited world for Alexander for eight years, could not stand it. They refused to cross the river Gefasis (Beas) in front of the Ganges valley (326 BC). Neither threats, nor persuasion, nor appeal to the gods and military honor, the king could not force his soldiers to take even a step forward. And the ruler of Asia turned back. But in the end, for the edification and intimidation of his descendants, he ordered to leave the "camp of giants" at the site of the last stop. Huge tents, weapons, stables and 12 grandiose altars were supposed to convince everyone that giants stopped here.

The army of Alexander now ceased to be purely Greek - more than half of it was made up of residents of conquered countries. Even the highest military posts could be received by Iranians.

A long memory has remained for centuries about Alexander the Great. And the reason for this is not his power, which fell apart immediately after his death. Nor was he the founder of a new dynasty: his two sons, Alexander and Heracles, died young in bloody strife. His youth and the ease with which he conquered half the world caused delight and envy. How many future great commanders repeated the words of Alexander: "20 years - and nothing for immortality!" Caesar thought with admiration of the amazing fate of Alexander the Great. Napoleon and Suvorov read books about his campaigns. How many legends circulated around the world, and how many eastern rulers derived their family from Iskander the Two-horned (as Alexander was called in the East). Many of the cities he founded (more than 30) in different parts the lights bearing his name were reminiscent of great conquests. Some of them have survived to our time: Iskenderun (Alexandria under Issus), Al-Iskandaria (Alexandria of Egypt), Herat (Alexandria in Aria), Kandahar (Alexandria in Arachosia), Khujand (Alexandria Extreme).

And let the Greeks, whom the king forced to venerate himself as an Olympian, mockingly declared: "Let us leave Alexander, if he so desires, to call himself a god." He still became one. He became the idol of young minds, the embodiment of good luck, a legend and an amazing story for his contemporaries and descendants.

Armor of Philip II: iron, decorated with gold.
Six rings fixed in the mouths of lions,
served to fasten equipment parts.

Philip II of Macedon (382-336 BC) - Macedonian king (359 BC - 336 BC). Father Alexander the Great. According to Gumilyov, he conquered Greece for the first time. In 338 B.C. e. under Chaeronea defeated the Greek city-states and established personal rule - hegemony.

Quoted from: Lev Gumilyov. Encyclopedia. / Ch. ed. E.B. Sadykov, comp. T.K. Shanbai, - M., 2013, p. 613.

Philip II (382-336 BC) - son of Amyntas III, king Macedonia from 359 he spent his boyhood and youth in Thebes as a hostage. Upon his return to Macedonia, he restored his rights to the throne and dealt with the pretenders to power. In 358, Philip II came to an agreement with Athens and turned against the Illyrians. In the battle near Lake Lichnida, the Illyrian king Bardil suffered a crushing defeat, and Philip II returned the lost lands of Upper Macedonia. Having captured Amphipolis, he refused to return it to the Athenians and in 357 entered into an alliance with Olynthus, to whom he gave Potidea captured from the Athenians. While Athens was arguing with Olynthus, Philip II took the region of Krenil from the Thracian dynast Ketripor. In July 356, the offended Ketripor concluded an alliance against Macedonia with the Paeonian dynast Lipei and the Illyrian dynast - Grab. The allies were supported by Athens. Philip II defeated them in Thrace, while his general Parmenion defeated the Illyrians and peonies.

In 353, Philip II intervened in the III Holy War (356-346) on the side of the Delphic Amphictyony. Having defeated the army of Phaillas in Thessaly, he was defeated by the strategist of Phocis Onomarchus. The next year's campaign was more successful for the Macedonians. In 352 Onomarch was defeated on the Crocus field and died. When Philip II moved to the borders of Phocis, at Thermopylae, a new army under the command of Faillus blocked his path. Not daring to enter into battle, Philip II returned home and, even before the onset of winter, undertook a new campaign in Thrace. The Macedonians crossed the Gebrus, drove the Athenian garrisons from coastal Thrace, and laid siege to Hieron on the banks of the Propontis.

In 350-349 years. Philip II defeated the Illyrians and peonies. Fearing the rapid growth of his power, Olynthes concluded an agreement with Athens. Philip II immediately approached the city and demanded the termination of the agreement; the war began. Despite the help of the Athenian strategist Haridemus, the Chalcidians were defeated. In the autumn of 348 the city was taken by storm and destroyed.

In February 346, Philip II concluded a peace with Athens Philocrates, which untied his hands in Thrace. The Macedonians again crossed Gebr and invaded the possessions of the king of the Odryses, Kersobleptus. Philip II took Methone, his commander Antipater took possession of Abdera and Maroneya. The Macedonian military colonies of Philippopolis and Kabila were founded in the Gebra Valley. At the end of the same year, Philip II ended the war in Phocis. The Amphictyony of Delphi elected him their head, and in 344 he was elected archon of Thessaly. In 343, Philip II made a campaign in Illyria, placed Alexander I, the brother of his wife Olympias, on the throne of Epirus, and annexed the regions of Orestida, Timthea and Perrebia to Macedonia. After his new campaign in Thrace in 342-341. she finally fell into dependence on Macedonia.

In 340, Philip II laid siege to Perinth. The city was assisted by the Byzantines and the Athenian strategists Diopif and Apollodorus. Leaving Antigonus I One-Eyed under the walls of Perinth, Philip I attacked Byzantium. The siege went badly. In the winter of 340/339 The Macedonian fleet in the straits was defeated by the Athenians. In the spring, Philip II retreated. In the same year, he rushed to Thrace and defeated the Scythian king Atheus in a heavy battle. The Macedonians took a lot of booty. On the way back, they were ambushed by the Triballi, and Philip II himself was seriously wounded.
From the beginning of the Holy War IV in 338, Philip II quickly crossed Thermopylae and appeared in Greece with an army of 32,000. A coalition was immediately formed against him, led by Athens and Thebes. In the battle of Chaeronea, the Greeks were defeated. Philip II in Corinth gathered a congress of Greek states and in the winter of 338/337. was proclaimed hegemon of the Hellenic Union in order to start a war against the Persians. Sparta, which evaded participation in the union, was punished by Philip II, who, having appeared in the Peloponnese, seized a number of territories from her. In the midst of preparations for a campaign against Persia in September 336, Philip II was killed at the wedding of his daughter Cleopatra.

Used materials of the book: Tikhanovich Yu.N., Kozlenko A.V. 350 great. A brief biography of the rulers and generals of antiquity. The Ancient East; Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome. Minsk, 2005.

The struggle of Philip II for the establishment of Macedonian hegemony in Greece

Philip II was a cautious politician, he set and solved real foreign policy tasks. These tasks were dictated by the specific conditions of the existence of Macedonia in the restless Greek world. In the first five years of his reign, Philip II, busy with major reforms, set himself rather modest tasks: securing his northern borders from incursions of the Illyrians and Thracians, on the one hand, and spreading his influence among the Greek cities of the Chalkis Peninsula, on the other. Already in this initial period of his reign, Philip II showed outstanding diplomatic skills, the ability to maneuver and use a variety of means to achieve his goals. So, with the Thracians, he achieved reconciliation through bribery, in order to fight the warlike Illyrians, who constantly devastated his northeastern possessions, he entered into an alliance with the king of a small tribe of Molossians, whose daughter, Olympias, he married. The Illyrians were defeated and sued for peace.

In the fight against a strong alliance of Chalcis cities led by Olynthus, Philip, at the cost of some concessions, enlisted the support of Athens. Having achieved his goals, Philip II soon changed his policy: he laid siege to the strategically important city of Amphipolis, which was claimed by Athens, and soon captured it, relying on this time for an alliance with Olynthus. In the middle of the 50s of the IV century. BC e. Philip began to move east along the Thracian coast of the Aegean Sea. He captured the rich region of the famous Pangaean mines and founded the city of Philippi here, dominating the district. The active penetration of Macedonia into Halkidiki and the coastal regions of Thrace forced the Thracian kings, the Chalcis Union led by Olynthus and Athens to unite. However, Athens, busy at war with its allies, could not provide much help, and the Thracian troops were defeated by the Macedonians. By the end of the 50s of the IV century. BC e. The Chalcis Union was isolated and no longer posed a serious danger to Macedonia, part of its lands was captured by Philip.

Having strengthened the northern borders and positions in Halkidiki, Philip begins a new stage in his policy of conquest, beginning to intervene in the affairs of Central Greece. He deftly used the confused political situation that developed in the Greek world in the middle of the 4th century. BC e., associated with the crisis of the system of polis relations: the existing unions of Greek cities are disintegrating, the cities are waging endless wars that weaken all the belligerents. One of these wars, which broke out on an insignificant occasion and gradually involved many Greek cities in its orbit, was the Holy War (355-346 BC). The reason for the opening of hostilities was the capture by the Phocians of a small border area belonging to the Delphic temple of Apollo. The Phocians were accused of sacrilege, and Thebes came to the defense of the common Greek shrine. The Phocians, in turn, laid claim to the leadership of the sanctuary of Apollo, suddenly attacked Delphi and seized the huge treasures accumulated in the temple over several hundred years, reaching a huge amount - 10 thousand talents of gold and silver. With this money, the Phokian strategist Philomelo recruited a mercenary army of 20 thousand hoplites to defend their rights to Delphi. Local conflict in a nervous situation in the middle of the 4th century. BC e. soon escalated into a general war. Some cities of Thessaly and Lokrid sided with Thebes. Fokidyan supported Sparta and Athens. The hostilities were carried out mainly by mercenaries and resulted in numerous small clashes in various places in Central Greece. During the hostilities, the belligerents sought allies for themselves, and this created favorable opportunities for Philip to intervene in Greek affairs. After carefully weighing all the circumstances, Philip II decided to take the side of the defenders of the common Greek shrine of Apollo. It was difficult to object to such an intervention of the Macedonian king, unexpected for the Greeks, and Philip received a certain freedom of action. The Macedonian king brought his army into Thessaly and began to capture the Thessalian cities that supported the Phocians. In 352 BC. e. Philip utterly defeated the army of the Phocians operating in Thessaly. Demonstrating his love for the god Apollo, whose defender Philip portrayed himself, he ordered 3,000 captured Phocians to be drowned in the sea, and the body of their commander to be crucified in disgrace.

This victory strengthened the authority of the Macedonian king as the protector of the temple of Apollo and justified his intervention in Greek affairs. Thessaly was forced to recognize the supremacy of Philip, he was declared the leader of the general Thessalian militia and received the right to place Macedonian garrisons in the strategically important cities of Thessaly. The rapid growth of Philip's popularity in Greece and his active interference in its affairs began to cause reasonable concern in Athens. In an effort to block the path of the Macedonian army to Central Greece, the Athenians occupied the Thermopylae pass and blockaded Philip in Thessaly. Having failed in an attempt to penetrate into Central Greece, Philip again turned to the conquests in Halkidiki and South Thrace. After careful preparation he unexpectedly attacked the center of the Chalkid League - the city of Olynthus. The Athenians made an attempt to help Olynthos and sent 17 triremes, 300 horsemen and 4 thousand hoplites to help the besieged city. However, Philip managed to capture the city before this help arrived. One of the largest Greek cities, Olynthos, was completely destroyed and abandoned by the inhabitants (348 BC). The Chalkid League was dissolved, and Chalkidike itself recognized the authority of the Macedonian king.

Having achieved such serious successes in Halkidiki and on the Thracian coast, Philip freed his hands for a new intervention in the events of the ongoing Holy War. Athens was forced to come to terms with the loss of its influence in Chalkidike and South Thrace and, wanting to save the remnants of its influence in Propontis, in particular possessions in Thracian Chersonese, concluded a peace treaty with the powerful Philip (the so-called Peace of Philokratov 346 BC. e. .). The Macedonian king took advantage of the withdrawal from the war of Athens and continued to interfere in the affairs of Central Greece. In particular, he accepted the invitation of Thebes, brought his strong army into the territory of Phocis and forced the Phocians to capitulate. Philip was given all the fortified points of Phocis, including control of the strategically important Thermopylae Pass. In 346 BC. e. the grueling Holy War, which lasted about 10 years, ended. Its result was the further weakening of the Greek policies and the strengthening of the influence of the Macedonian king. He not only became the master of Halkidiki and South Thrace, but also the hegemon of Thessaly, a member of the Delphic Amphictyony (the union of Greek policies - the guardians of the temple of Apollo in Delphi) and thereby received a legitimate opportunity to interfere in the affairs of Central Greece.

History of Ancient Greece.// Ed. IN AND. Kuzishchina. Moscow: Higher school, 1996.

Philip II - King of Macedonia in 359-336 BC. Son of Amyntas III. Genus. OK. 382 BC + 336 B.C.

Wives: 1) Phylla, sister of the Elimitid prince Derda; 2) Olympias, daughter of the king of Epirus Neoptolemus; 3) Avdat; 4) Meda, daughter of the king of the Getae; 5) Nikesipolis; 6) Fillina; 7) Cleopatra.

At the beginning of his reign, the Macedonian king Alexander II, Philip's elder brother, paid off the war with the Illyrians, agreeing with them on an exchange and ransom and giving them Philip as a hostage (Justin: 7; 5). A year later, Alexander established friendly relations and peace with the Thebans (in 369 BC), giving them Philip again as a hostage. The Theban commander Pelopidas then took Philip, and with him thirty more boys from the most noble families to Thebes, to show the Greeks how far the influence of the Thebans extends thanks to the glory of their power and faith in their justice. Philip lived ten years in Thebes and on this basis was considered an ardent follower of Epaminondas. It is possible that Philip actually learned something, seeing his indefatigability in matters of war and command (which was only a small part of the virtues of this man), but neither his temperance, nor justice, nor generosity, nor mercy, - qualities, in of which he was truly great - Philip did not possess by nature, and did not try to imitate (Plutarch: "Pelopis"; 26). While Philip lived in Thebes, his older brothers succeeded each other on the throne. The last - Perdiccas III - died in the war with the Illyrians. After this, Philip fled from Thebes to Macedonia, where he was proclaimed king.

Macedonia was at that time in an extremely difficult situation. In the last war, 4,000 Macedonians fell. The survivors trembled before the Illyrians and did not want to fight. At the same time, the peons went to war against the country and devastated it. To complete all the troubles, Philip's relative Pausanias put forward his claims to the throne and was going to take control of Macedonia with the help of the Thracians. Another contender for kingship was Avgei. He found support from the Athenians, who agreed to send 3,000 hoplites and a fleet with him.

Having assumed power, Philip began to vigorously strengthen the army. He introduced a new type of formation, called the Macedonian phalanx, and then, through hard training and continuous exercises, instilled in the Macedonians the ability to stay in close formation. From shepherds and hunters, he turned them into first-class warriors. In addition, with gifts and affection, he managed to inspire love and trust in himself.

Philip persuaded Pausanias and the peonies to peace with gifts and cunning speeches, but against the Athenians and Augeus he marched with the whole army and defeated them in the battle of Aegian. Philip understood that the Athenians started a war with him only because they dreamed of keeping Amphipolis. Immediately after the victory, he sent an embassy to Athens, announced that he had no claims to Amphipolis, and made peace with the Athenians.

Having thus got rid of the war with the Athenians, Philip in 358 BC. turned against the peonies. Having defeated them in open battle, he subjugated their entire country and annexed it to Macedonia. After that, the Macedonians regained their lost self-confidence, and the king led them against the Illyrians. Vardil, king of the Illyrians, led a 10,000-strong army against Philip. Philip, commanding the cavalry, scattered the Illyrian cavalry and turned on their flank. But the Illyrians, lining up in a square, repelled the attacks of the Macedonians for a long time. Finally, unable to stand it, they took to flight. The Macedonian cavalry stubbornly pursued the fugitives, completing the rout. The Illyrians lost up to 7,000 people in this battle and, under a peace treaty, left all the previously captured Macedonian cities (Diodorus: 16; 2-4).

Having done away with the Illyrians, Philip led his army to Amphipolis, laid siege to it, brought battering rams under the walls and began to make incessant attacks. When part of the wall was destroyed by battering rams, the Macedonians broke into the city and captured it. From Amphipolis, Philip led an army to Halkidiki and took Pydna on the move. He sent the Athenian garrison stationed here to Athens. After that, wanting to attract Olynthes to his side, he gave him Pydna. Then he went to the Crinides and renamed them Philippi. Having populated this previously small city with new citizens, he took possession of the gold mines of Pangea and so arranged the business that he had an annual income of 1000 talents from them. Having acquired great wealth, Philip began to mint a gold coin, and from that time Macedonia began to enjoy such fame and influence as it had never had before.

In the next 357 BC. Philip, called by the Alevades, invaded Thessaly, overthrew the tyrants of Thera, Lycophron and Tisiphon, and restored the Thessalians to their liberty. From that time on, he always had reliable allies in the Thessalians (Diodorus: 16; 8.14).

While Philip's affairs were going so well, he married Olympias, the daughter of Neoptolem, king of the Molossians. This marriage was arranged by the guardian of the girl, her uncle and paternal cousin, the king of the Molossians Arrib, married to the sister of Olympias - Troad (Justin: 9; 6). However, Plutarch reports that Philip was initiated into the Samothracian mysteries at the same time as Olympias, when he himself was still a boy, and she was a girl who had lost her parents. Philip fell in love with her and married her, having obtained the consent of Arrib (Plutarch: "Alexander"; 2).

In 354 B.C. Philip laid siege to Methona. As he was walking ahead of the troops, an arrow fired from the wall pierced his right eye. From this wound he did not become less warlike or more cruel to his enemies. When, after some time, he made peace with his enemies, he showed himself to the vanquished not only moderate, but even merciful (Justin: 7; 6). After that, he took possession of Pagi, and in 353 BC, at the request of the Thessalians, he got involved in the Holy War, which by that time had engulfed all of Hellas. In an extremely fierce battle with the Phocaean commander Onomarchus, the Macedonians won (largely thanks to the Thessalian cavalry). 6,000 Phocians died on the battlefield, and another 4,000 were taken prisoner. Philip ordered the onomarch to be hanged, and all the captives to be drowned in the sea as blasphemers.

In 348 B.C. Philip, wishing to take possession of the Hellespont, occupied Thorona. Then, with a large army, he approached Olynthus (Diodorus: 16; 35; 53). The reason for the war was that the Olynthians, out of compassion, gave shelter to Philip's two brothers, born of his stepmother. Philip, who had previously killed another of his brothers, wanted to kill these two as well, since they could claim royal power (Justin: 8; 3). Having defeated the Olynthians in two battles, Philip besieged them in the city. Thanks to the betrayal, the Macedonians broke into the fortifications, plundered the city, and sold the citizens into slavery.

In 347 B.C. the Boeotians, completely devastated by the Holy War, sent ambassadors to Philip, demanding his help. The next year, Philip entered Locris, having, in addition to his own, a large Thessalian army. The Phocaean commander Peleg, not expecting to defeat Philip, made peace with him and left for the Peloponnese with his entire army. The Phocians, having lost after this the hope of victory, all surrendered to Philip. So Philip ended the war, which had been going on for ten years, without a single battle. In gratitude, the Amphictyons determined that Philip and his descendants should henceforth have two votes in the council of the Amphictyons.

In 341 B.C. Philip went with income to Perinth, laid siege to it and began to break down the walls with machines. In addition, the Macedonians built towers, which, rising above the walls of the city, helped them fight the besieged. But the Perinthians held out courageously, made sorties every day and fiercely fought the enemy. In order to wear down the townspeople, Philip divided the entire army into many detachments and simultaneously stormed the city from all sides, without stopping fighting day or night. Having learned about the plight of the besieged, the Persian king considered it profitable for himself to send them a large amount of food, money and hired soldiers. In the same way, the Byzantines provided great assistance to the Perinthians. Philip, leaving part of the army near Perinth, proceeded to Byzantium with the other half.

In 340 BC. the Athenians, having learned about the siege of Byzantium, equipped a naval expedition and sent it to the aid of the Byzantines. Together with them the Chians, Rhodians and some other Greeks sent their squadrons. Philip, leaving the siege, was forced to make peace.

In 338 B.C. Philip suddenly captured Edatea and will transport the army to Greece. All this was done so discreetly that the Athenians learned of the fall of Elathea before its inhabitants ran to Attica, bearing the news of the Macedonian advance.

At dawn, when the alarmed Athenians gathered for a meeting, the famous orator and demagogue Demosthenes suggested sending ambassadors to Thebes and persuading them to fight together against the invaders. There was no time to turn to other allies. The Athenians agreed and sent Demosthenes himself as an ambassador. By his eloquence, he soon won the Boeotians to an alliance, and thus the two most powerful Greek states united for joint action. The Athenians put Haritas and Lysicles at the head of their army, ordering them to follow with all their might to Boeotia. All the young people who were then in Attica volunteered to go to war with amazing willingness.

Both armies united under Chaeronei. Philip at first hoped to win over the Boeotians to his side and sent Python, known for his eloquence, as an ambassador to them. However, in the popular assembly, Python was defeated by Demosthenes, and the Boeotians remained loyal to Hellas in this difficult hour. Realizing that he would now have to deal with the most valiant army that Hellas could put up, Philip decided not to rush to start the battle and waited for the auxiliary detachments following the Macedonians to approach. In total, he had up to 30,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. Considering his strength sufficient, the king ordered the battle to begin. Alexander, his son, he entrusted the command of one of the flanks.

When the battle began, both sides fought with great ferocity, and for a long time it was not clear who would prevail. Finally, Alexander broke through the enemy line and put his opponents to flight. This was the beginning of the complete victory of the Macedonians (Diodorus: 16; 53-84).

After the Chaeronean victory, Philip very cunningly harbored in his soul the joy of victory. On this day, he did not even bring the usual sacrifices in such cases, did not laugh during the feast, did not allow any games during the meal; there were no wreaths, no incense, and, as far as it depended on him, he behaved after the victory in such a way that no one felt a winner in him. He ordered not to call himself the king of Greece, but its leader. He so skillfully concealed his joy in the face of the despair of his enemies that neither his associates noticed that he was overjoyed, nor the vanquished saw gloating in him. To the Athenians, who showed particular hostility towards him, he returned the captives without ransom and handed over the bodies of the dead for burial. In addition, Philip sent his son Alexander to Athens to conclude a peace of friendship. On the contrary, Philip took a ransom from the Thebans not only for the prisoners, but even for the right to bury the fallen. He ordered the heads of the most prominent citizens to be cut off, sent others into exile, and took the property of all of them for himself. From among the former exiles, he appointed 300 judges and rulers of the state. After this, having put things in order in Greece, Philip ordered the representatives of all states to convene in Corinth in order to establish a certain order in the current state of affairs (in 337 BC).

Here Philip determined the terms of peace for all Hellas in accordance with the merits of individual states and formed a common council from all of them. Only the Lacedaemonians scorned his institutions, considering not peace, but slavery, the peace that was granted by the conqueror. Then the number of auxiliary detachments was determined, which were to be put up by individual states either to help the king in the event of an attack on him, or to use them under his command in case he himself declared war on someone. And there was no doubt that these preparations were directed against the Persian state. In early spring, Philip sent forward to Asia, subject to the Persians, three commanders: Parmenion, Amyntas and Attalus, whose sister he took as his wife after he divorced Alexander's mother Olympias, suspecting her of adultery (Justin: 9; 4-5 ).

Philip himself was preparing to go on a campaign, but stayed in Macedonia, celebrating the wedding of his daughter Cleopatra, whom he married to Alexander 1 of Epirus, brother of Olympias. Guests for this celebration were invited from all over Greece. At the end of the feast, games and competitions began. Philip went out to the guests, dressed in all white, like a deity. He deliberately left his guard at a distance in order to show the Greeks what confidence he had in them.

Among the pages of Philip was a certain Pausanias, who came from the Orestid family. For his beauty, he became the royal lover. Once, at a feast, Attalus, having drunk Pausanias, began to laugh at him as if he were an indecent woman. Pausanias, deeply wounded by his laughter, complained to Philip. But the king ignored his complaints, since Attalus was a noble man and, moreover, a good commander. He rewarded Pausanias by making him his bodyguard. So he thought to heal him from resentment. But Pausanias had a gloomy and implacable heart. He took the royal favor as an insult and decided to take revenge. In game time When Philip was left unguarded, Pausanias approached him, hiding a short sword under his clothes, and struck the king in the side. Having committed this murder, Pausanias wanted to escape on horseback, but was captured by Perdiccas and killed (Diodorus: 16; 91).

After finding out the reasons for the murder, many believed that Pausanias had been sent by Olympias, and Alexander himself was apparently not in the dark about the plotted murder, for Olympias suffered no less from the fact that she was rejected than Pausanias from her shame. Alexander, on the other hand, was afraid to meet an opponent in the person of his brother, born by his stepmother. They thought that Alexander and Olympias, in their approval, pushed Pausanias to such a terrible atrocity. It was said that on the night of Philip's funeral, Olympias laid a wreath on the head of Pausanias, who was hanging on the cross. A few days later, she burned the corpse of the murderer removed from the cross over the remains of her husband and ordered a mound to be poured in the same place. She also took care to bring sacrifices to the deceased every year. Then Olympias forced Cleopatra, because of whom Philip divorced her, to hang herself, first killing her daughter in the arms of her mother. Finally, she dedicated to Apollo the sword with which the king was stabbed. She did all this so openly, as if she was afraid that the crime she had committed would not be attributed to her. Philip died at the age of forty-seven, having reigned for twenty-five years. From a dancer from Larissa, he had a son, Arrhidaeus - the future Philip III (Justin: 9; 7-8).

All the monarchs of the world. Ancient Greece. Ancient Rome. Byzantium. Konstantin Ryzhov. Moscow, 2001

PHILIP II (382–336 BC), king of Macedonia who united Greece under his rule. The grandiose conquests of Alexander the Great, the son of Philip and the Epirus princess Olympias, became possible only thanks to the achievements of his father. At the age of 15, Philip, the son of the Macedonian king Amyntas III (reigned 394-370 BC), was sent as a hostage to Thebes (Boeotia, central Greece). During the three years that Philip spent here, he was imbued with a love for Greek culture, which had not yet had time to take root deeply in Macedonia, and studied the military tactics of the great Theban general Epaminondas.

Strengthening of the Macedonian kingdom.

Philip seized power in Macedon in 359 BC when a succession struggle unfolded. Gold mined on Mount Pangei in Thrace, captured by Philip at the very beginning of his reign (about 1000 talents, i.e. about 26 tons annually), made it possible for him to build roads and support his supporters throughout Greece. The rural inhabitants of Macedonia, who underwent thorough military training, formed the backbone of a reliable and loyal army to the king. In battle, the infantry formed a deep (up to 16 ranks), relatively free and maneuverable formation, called a phalanx. The phalanx warriors were lightly armed, but had a spear (sarissa) that was elongated in comparison with the usual (up to 4 m). Maneuverability was ensured by increasing the interval between adjacent warriors in the line to almost 1 m.

Philip formed light and heavily armed detachments from the cavalry, and the nobility served in the latter, being called "comrades" (Greek "gaetairs") of the king, forming his guard and striking force. Philip's army also included archers, slingers and other auxiliaries, rear services, reconnaissance and siege weapons. From Epaminondas, Philip adopted the practice of simultaneously introducing infantry and cavalry into battle, as well as the technique of breaking through with one flank, while holding the enemy back with the other.

Not allowing the enemy to come to his senses, Philip subjugated the entire region from the Hellespont to Thermopylae, i.e. all of Thrace and northern Greece, after several campaigns, wild tribes in the Balkan mountains were pacified. Philip intervened in the pan-Greek 3rd Holy War (355-346 BC), which, under the plausible pretext of protecting the Delphic oracle, opened the way for Macedonian troops to central Greece. Thessaly was conquered by Philip in 352 BC, Olynthes was taken and destroyed in 348 BC. In 346 BC Philip obtained an invitation to head the Delphic Amphictyony (a union of Greek city-states centered in Delphi). Some Greeks, such as the Athenian orator Aeschines, sympathized with Philip, but Demosthenes acted as his most implacable opponent. Starting from 352 BC Demosthenes began to pronounce his famous Philippics, in which he encouraged the Greeks to fight so as not to be enslaved by the northern barbarian. The Greeks, as usual, did not shine with unity. Another Athenian speaker, Isocrates, called them to war not with each other, but with the traditional enemy, Persia, which was in the hands of Philip's further plans. However, the fear of Macedonia was so strong that Demosthenes managed to create an alliance between Athens and Thebes and in 338 BC. the allies marched against Philip.

Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC) and its aftermath.

Under Chaeronea in Boeotia, a Greek army of 30,000 fought against a roughly equal Macedonian force. The left flank of the Macedonians, where Alexander commanded, managed to destroy the famous Sacred Band of the Thebans. Philip on the right flank began a false retreat, and when the Athenians set off in pursuit, he skillfully took advantage of the gaps in their ranks, where the Macedonian cavalry rushed. The allied Greek army suffered a complete defeat. The huge stone lion, now rising in the middle of the deserted Boeotian plain, is not only a monument to the fallen Greeks, but also a milestone that marks the end of the era of city-states in Greece. A Macedonian garrison was placed in Thebes, Philip did not touch Athens: he wanted to achieve respect here, and also believed that the Athenian fleet could be useful to him in the war against Persia.

After that, Philip once again proved himself an outstanding politician. At his invitation in 337 BC. the cities of central and southern Greece (with the exception of Sparta, which he did not have time to conquer), as well as the inhabitants of the islands of the Aegean Sea, sent their representatives to Corinth, where universal peace was proclaimed and a pan-Greek union, the Corinthian Congress, was founded. Macedonia itself was not a member, but the king of Macedonia and his successors were assigned the leadership of the armed forces of the congress, as well as the place of its chairman, i.e. real power. Under the pretext of retaliation for the invasion of 150 years ago, Congress decided to start a general Greek war against the Persian Empire, and Philip was to wage it. Soon the outstanding Macedonian commander Parmenion was sent to seize a bridgehead on the other side of the Hellespont.

Philip intended to follow him, but this was prevented by death: he was killed at a feast, for personal reasons, by the Macedonian aristocrat Pausanias. The throne and plans of Philip, as well as his magnificent army and commanders, passed to his son, who was to go down in history under the name of Alexander the Great.

Materials of the encyclopedia "The world around us" are used.

Read further:

Historical Persons of Greece (biographical guide).

Greece, Hellas, the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, one of the most important historical countries of antiquity.

Macedonia - a historical region, a diocese (imperial district) and a Byzantine theme.

Literature^

Shofman A.S. History of ancient Macedonia, part 1. Kazan, 1960

Started to rule as a guardian Aminty , young son Perdiccas III , Philip he soon won the trust of the army and, having removed the heir, became the king of Macedonia at the age of 23 at a difficult moment for the country. Illyrians, peons, various contenders for the throne of Macedonia - chances to retain power from Philip there were none.

Philip II strengthened the Macedonian state, created and tempered the most powerful army in battles, united the Greek ancient world around him, but went down in history more like a father Alexander III the Great . His son had only to correctly use his achievements to create his vast empire. What Alexander III brilliantly performed and is rightfully considered the greatest of the generals. However Philip II no less significant figure in world history.

Philip left behind the contradictory opinions of his contemporaries. In some, he aroused hatred as a strangler of freedom, others saw in him a messiah sent to unite the fragmented Hellas. Insidious and generous at the same time. He won victories, but also suffered defeats. He invited philosophers to the court, while he himself indulged in unrestrained drunkenness. He had many children, but none of them died of age.

Philip II of Macedon

382 BC e. - October 336 BC e.

other -Greek. Φίλιππος Β΄ της Μακεδονίας, lat. Philip II

22nd (25th) king of Ancient Macedonia
359 BC e. - October 336 BC e.
Predecessor	Amyntas IV of Macedon
Successor	Alexander III the Great

Place of Birth	Pella, Ancient Macedonia
A place of death	Aegi, Ancient Macedonia
Religion	ancient greek religion
Burial place	tomb, near the village of Vergina
Father	Amyntas III of Macedon
Mother	Eurydice II Wild
Genus	Argueads
Wife	1. Audata
Daughter	*Kinana*
Wife	2. Phil I
Wife	Maria Benedetta
Wife	3. Fillina
Son	*Philip III Arrhidaeus*
Wife	4. Olympiad I
Children	**Alexander III Great**
	*Cleopatra IV*
Wife	5. Nikesipolis
Daughter	*Thessalonica I*
Wife	6. Meda of Edessa
Wife	7. Cleopatra III
Children	*Europe*
	*Karan*

Macedonia at the beginning of Philip's reign and Macedonia left to Alexander III the Great

Armor of Philip II: iron, decorated with gold. Six rings, fixed in the mouths of lions, served to fasten equipment parts.

Tomb of Philip II

Philip II was born in 382 BC. e. in the city of Pella, the capital of ancient Macedonia. His father was a king, his mother Eurydice came from a noble family Linkestid who ruled independently for a long time in northwestern Macedonia. After death, Macedonia slowly disintegrated under the onslaught of the Thracian and Illyrian neighbors, the Greeks also did not miss the opportunity to seize the weakening kingdom.

At the beginning of his reign, the Macedonian king, elder brother Philip, paid off the war with the Illyrians, agreeing with them on the exchange and ransom and giving them hostages Philip. A year later, he established friendly relations and peace with the Thebans (in 369 BC), giving them as hostages Philip. The Theban commander led away then Philip, and with him thirty more boys from the most noble families in Thebes, to show the Greeks how far the influence of the Thebans extends thanks to the glory of their power and faith in their justice. Philip lived in Thebes for ten years and on this basis was considered an ardent follower. It is possible that Philip and indeed learned something, seeing his indefatigability in matters of war and command (which was only a small part of the virtues of this commander and politician), but not his temperance, nor justice, nor generosity, nor mercy, - qualities in which he was really great Philip and by nature did not possess, and did not try to imitate. Bye Philip lived in Thebes, his older brothers succeeded each other on the throne. During the years of life in Thebes Philip got acquainted with the structure of the public life of Ancient Greece, learned the basics of military strategy and joined the great achievements of Hellenic culture.

Philip, despite the years spent in Thebes in his youth, did not in any way resemble an enlightened sovereign, but was similar in manners and way of life to the barbarian kings of neighboring Thrace. Theopompus , who personally observed the life of the Macedonian court under Philippe left this comment:

“If there was anyone in all Greece or among the barbarians, whose character was distinguished by shamelessness, he was inevitably attracted to the court of the king Philip in Macedonia and received the title of "comrade of the king." For in the custom Philip it was to glorify and promote those who spent their lives in drinking and gambling ... Some of them, being men, even shaved their bodies cleanly; and even bearded men did not shy away from mutual filth. They took with them two or three slaves for lust, while at the same time betraying themselves for the same shameful service, so it would be fair to call them not soldiers, but prostitutes.

Athenaeus repeats this quote Theopompa and adds that although the number of associates did not exceed 800, they owned more land than any 10 thousand rich Greeks.

Drunkenness at Court Philip hit the Greeks. He himself often went drunk into battle, received Athenian ambassadors. The violent feasts of the kings were characteristic of the era of the decay of tribal relations, and the refined Greeks, who severely condemned drunkenness and debauchery, also spent time in feasts and wars in their heroic era, which has come down to us in legends. Homer . Polybius cites the inscription on the sarcophagus Philip: "He appreciated the joys of life."

Philip he loved a merry feast with immoderate consumption of undiluted wine, appreciated the jokes of his companions and, for his wit, brought not only the Macedonians, but also the Greeks closer. He also appreciated education, for training and education, the heir to the throne, invited Aristotle . justin noted oratory Philip:

“In conversations he was both flattering and cunning, in words he promised more than he fulfilled ... As a speaker, he was eloquently resourceful and witty; the sophistication of his speech was combined with ease, and this very ease was sophisticated.

He respected his friends and generously rewarded him, treated his enemies with indulgence. He was not cruel to the vanquished, he easily released the captives and granted freedom to the slaves. In everyday life and communication, he was simple and accessible, although conceited. As writes justin , Philip wanted to be loved by his subjects and tried to judge fairly.

Athenaeus based on biography Philip written Satyr in the 3rd century BC e., writes:

« Philip always took a new wife in each of his wars. In Illyria he took Audatu and had a daughter by her Keenan . He also married Fillet , sister Derdy And Mahata . Wishing to make claims to Thessaly, he adopted children from Thessalian women, one of them Nikesipolis from Fer, who bore him Thessalonica , the other was filinna from Larissa, from whom he had Arridea . Further, he acquired the kingdom of the Molossians [Epirus] by marrying Olympics , from which he had Cleopatra . When he subjugated Thrace, there the Thracian king passed to him Coffeelay who gave him a daughter medu and a large dowry. By marrying her, he thus brought home a second wife after Olympics . After all these women he married Cleopatra with whom he fell in love, niece Attala . Cleopatra gave birth Philip daughter Europe .»

The fate of the children Philip turned out tragic. became a Macedonian king under the name and died of illness at the age of 33. After him nominally reigned the imbecile Arrhidaeus under the name Philippa Arridea until he was killed by order of his stepmother Olympics . She did kill Europe , daughter Philip from Cleopatra of Macedon shortly after her birth. Kinana died in the war of the diadochi, Cleopatra , having been the queen of Epirus, was killed by order of the diadochus Antigone . Thessalonica married Cassandra and continued the royal dynasty, but was killed by her own son. Karan was killed as an unwanted claimant to the throne.

In 359 BC. e. the invading Illyrians captured part of Macedonia and defeated the Macedonian army, killing the king, brother Philip, and another 4 thousand Macedonians. Son, was enthroned, but due to his infancy, he became a guardian over him Philip. Started to rule as a guardian, Philip he soon won the trust of the army and, having removed the heir, became the king of Macedonia at the age of 23 at a difficult moment for the country.

Macedonia was at that time in an extremely difficult position. In the last war, 4,000 Macedonians fell. The survivors trembled before the Illyrians and did not want to fight. At the same time, the peons went to war against the country and devastated it. On top of all the troubles, a relative Philip Pausanias put forward his claims to the throne and was going to take control of Macedonia with the help of the Thracians. Another contender for kingship was Argey . He found support from the Athenians, who agreed to send 3,000 hoplites and a fleet with him.

Taking power Philip began to vigorously strengthen the army. He introduced a new type of formation, called the Macedonian phalanx, and then, through hard training and continuous exercises, instilled in the Macedonians the ability to stay in close formation. Shepherds and hunters he turned into first-class warriors. In addition, with gifts and affection, he managed to inspire love and trust in himself.

Demonstrating outstanding diplomatic talent, Philip quickly dealt with the enemies. He bribed the Thracian king and persuaded him to execute Pausanias one of the contenders for the throne. Then crushed another pretender Argea supported by Athens. Philip understood that the Athenians started a war with him only because they dreamed of keeping Amphipolis. After the victory, he sent an embassy to Athens, declaring that he had no claims to Amphipolis, and made peace with the Athenians. Thus, Philip delivered Macedonia from internal troubles.

Having strengthened and strengthened, he soon took possession of Amphipolis, managed to establish control over the gold mines and start minting a gold coin. Having created, thanks to these funds, a large standing army, the basis of which was the famous Macedonian phalanx, Philip at the same time, he began to build a fleet, one of the first to widely use siege and throwing machines, and also skillfully resorted to bribery (his expression is known: “A donkey loaded with gold will take any fortress”).

It gave Philip great advantages: its neighbors at that time were, on the one hand, unorganized barbarian tribes, on the other, the Greek polis world, which was in deep crisis, as well as the Persian Empire of the Achaemenids, which at that time was already in the process of disintegration.

In 359 BC. e. Philip went on a campaign against the Peonians. The Paeonians were defeated and recognized dependence on Macedonia.

In 358 BC. e. Philip went on a campaign against the Illyrians with an army of 11 thousand soldiers. The Illyrians put up approximately equal forces. In a stubborn battle, the leader fell Bardil and 7 thousand of his fellow tribesmen. After the defeat, the Illyrians ceded the previously captured lands of Upper Macedonia.

In 357 BC. e. army Philip besieged Amphipolis and brought battering rams under the walls and began to produce incessant attacks. When part of the wall was destroyed by battering rams, the Macedonians broke into the city and took possession of this large trading center on the Thracian coast. From Amphipolis Philip led an army to Halkidiki and immediately took Pydna. He sent the Athenian garrison stationed here to Athens. After that, wanting to attract Olynthes to his side, he gave him Pydna.

This year Philip took to wife Olympics , daughter of the king of the Molossians. This marriage was arranged by the girl's guardian, her uncle and paternal cousin, the king of the Molossians, married to his sister Olympics - Troad . Born with a name Polyxena she was maiden name Mirtala and after marriage Philip gave her a name Olympics , in honor of a sporting event; towards the end of her life, she changed her name again to Stratonic .

Plutarch reports that Philip was initiated into the Samothracian mysteries at the same time as Olympics when he himself was still a boy, and she was a girl who had lost her parents. Philip fell in love with her and married her, having achieved consent. For this was the cause of his fall and all his misfortunes. expected that due to the property with Philip he will increase his state, but by this very Philip he was deprived of his own kingdom and grew old in exile.

In 356 BC. e. after the siege, the city of Potidea on the Chalkidiki Peninsula was occupied and transferred to the city of Olynthus, the inhabitants were sold into slavery. Conquered from the Thracian dynast Ketripora region of Krenida, where the fortress of Philippi was founded. Philip took possession of the gold mines of Pangea, and arranged the business in such a way that he had from them an annual income of 1,000 talents. Gaining great wealth Philip began to mint a gold coin, and from that time Macedonia began to enjoy such fame and influence as it had never had before. The gold mines of Mount Pangei in the occupied area allowed Philip increase the army.

Then Philip, called alevadas , invaded Thessaly, overthrew the tyrants of Ther and restored the Thessalians to their liberty. From that time on, he always had reliable allies in the Thessalians.

In July 356 BC. e. offended Ketripor concluded an alliance against Macedonia with the Paeonian dynast Lipeem and Illyrian - hornbeam . The allies were supported by Athens. Philip II defeated them in Thrace, while his general Parmenion defeated the Illyrians and the peonies.

In 355 BC. e. Philip captured the Greek policies of Abdera and Maroney on the Thracian coast of the Aegean Sea.

In 354 BC. e. after the siege, the Greek city of Methon surrendered. During a siege, an arrow fired Asterom injured right eye Philip. All residents were evicted, the city was razed, and Aster crucified.

Having established his power on the Macedonian coast, Philip in 353 BC e. first intervened in Greek affairs, speaking on the side of the Delphic coalition (the main members of which were Thebans and Thessalians) against the "blasphemers" of the Phocians and the Athenians who supported them in the "Holy War". The result was the subjugation of Thessaly, entry into the Delphic Amphictyony and the acquisition of the de facto role of arbiter in Greek affairs. This paved the way for the future conquest of Greece.

In 353 - 352 years. BC e. Philip took part in the Holy War on the side of the Delphic Amphictyony. At the request of the Thessalians, he got involved in the Holy War, which by this time had engulfed all of Hellas. In an extremely fierce battle with the Phocaean commander Onomarch the Macedonians won (largely thanks to the Thessalian cavalry). 6,000 Phocians died on the battlefield, and another 4,000 were taken prisoner. Onomarch Philip ordered to be hanged, and all the prisoners to be drowned in the sea as blasphemers.

In 352 - 351 years. BC e. a trip to Thrace. As a result, the Thracians ceded the disputed territories to Macedonia.

In 350 - 349 years. BC e. a successful campaign took place in Illyria and against the Paeonians. Fearing the rapid growth of his power, Olynthes concluded an agreement with Athens. Philip II immediately approached the city and demanded the termination of the agreement; the war began. Despite the help of the Athenian strategist Haridema , the Chalcidians were defeated.

In 349 - 348 years. BC e. Olynthos and other cities of Halkidiki were captured. Philip, wanting to take possession of the Hellespont, occupied Thorona. In the autumn of 348, Olynthus was taken by storm and destroyed, the inhabitants were sold into slavery. The reason for the war was that the Olynthians, out of compassion, gave shelter to two brothers Philip born of his stepmother. Philip, who had killed another of his brothers before, wanted to kill these two as well, since they could become contenders for royal power. Having defeated the Olynthians in two battles, Philip besieged them in the city. Thanks to the betrayal, the Macedonians broke into the fortifications, plundered the city, and sold the citizens into slavery.

In 347 BC. e. the Boeotians, completely ruined by the Holy War, sent envoys to Philip for help. Next year Philip entered Locris, having, in addition to his own, a large Thessalian army. Phocian commander Peleg without expecting to win Philip, made peace with him and went with the whole army to the Peloponnese. The Phocians, having lost after this the hope of victory, all surrendered. Philip. So Philip without a single battle ended the war, which had lasted for ten years. In gratitude, the Amphictyons determined that Philip and his descendants henceforth had two votes in the council of the Amphictyons. Amphiktyonia - the union of the Greek policies of the guardians of the temple of Apollo in Delphi.

The best speakers of Athens Isocrates And Aeschines supported Philip, believing that he is that great personality who will revive ancient Hellas if he unites it under his rule. For the sake of the greatness of Greece, they were ready to say goodbye to the independence of their city. Isocrates argued that hegemony Philip will be a boon, because he himself is a Greek and a descendant of Hercules . Philip II generously gave gold to his supporters.

In 346 BC. e. after a campaign in Thrace, the Thracian king Kersoblept became a vassal of Macedonia. In February 346 BC. e. Philip II Philokratov made peace with Athens, which untied his hands in Thrace. The Macedonians again crossed Gebr and invaded the possessions of the king of the Odryses Kersoblept . Philip II took Methone, his general Antipater took possession of Abdera and Maroneya. The Macedonian military colonies of Philippopolis and Kabila were founded in the Gebra Valley.

In 346 - 344 years. BC e. during the campaign in Central Greece, the Phocian cities were devastated, the population of which was forcibly relocated to the borders of Macedonia. At the end of 346 BC. e. Philip II ended the war in Phocis. The Delphic Amphictyony chose him as their head, and in 344 BC. e. he was elected archon of Thessaly.

In 343 BC. e. after a campaign in Illyria, a large booty was taken. Then it was finally subordinated to Thessaly, once again Philip changed power there.

In 342 BC. e. Philip overthrew the king of Epirus and enthroned his wife's brother Olympics . Some border regions of Epirus (Orestida, Timthea and Perrebia) were annexed to Macedonia.

In 342 - 341 years. BC e. a campaign took place in Thrace, the Thracian king Kersoblept was overthrown and tribute was imposed on the tribes, control was established over the entire Thracian coast of the Aegean Sea. Philip went to Perinth.

In 340 - 339 years. BC e. he laid siege to Perinth and began to break down the walls with machines. In addition, the Macedonians built towers, which, rising above the walls of the city, helped them fight the besieged. But the Perinthians held out courageously, made sorties every day and fiercely fought the enemy. To wear down the townspeople Philip He divided the entire army into many detachments and simultaneously stormed the city from all sides, without stopping fighting day or night. Having learned about the plight of the besieged, the Persian king considered it profitable for himself to send them a large amount of food, money and hired soldiers. In the same way, the Byzantines provided great assistance to the Perinthians. Philip, leaving part of the army under Perinth, led by Antigonus I One-Eyed , with the other half proceeded to Byzantium. The siege went badly.

Athenians (Athenian strategists Diopif And Apollodorus ), having learned about the siege of Byzantium, equipped a naval expedition and sent it to the aid of the Byzantines. Together with them the Chians, Rhodians and some other Greeks sent their squadrons. In the winter of 340/339 BC e. The Macedonian fleet in the straits was defeated by the Athenians. spring Philip II retreated, leaving the siege, and was forced to make peace.

It was a palpable defeat. Middle Greece could rejoice. Philip decided not to stir up this "hornet's nest" for the time being, leaving his supporters, gold and time to act.

In 339 BC. e. a campaign against the Scythians to the banks of the Danube took place. Scythian leader fell in battle Atey :

“Twenty thousand women and children were taken prisoner, many cattle were captured; no gold or silver was found. Then I had to believe that the Scythians are really very poor. Twenty thousand of the best mares were sent to Macedonia to breed horses [of the Scythian breed].”

However, on the way home, the warlike Triballi attacked the Macedonians and recaptured all the trophies. "In this battle Philip was wounded in the thigh, and, moreover, so that the weapon, passing through the body Philip killed his horse."

Barely recovered from his wounds, although the limp remained, tireless Philip quickly moved to Greece.

Patience Philip turned out not to be in vain. Greece could not long live in peace. In 338 BC. e. The IV Holy War began. This time, the inhabitants of the city of Amfissa, supported by Athens, encroached on the lands of the Delphic temple. Amphiktyonia, at the suggestion of the Macedonian supporter Aeschines, remembering the zealous defender of Delphi, turned to Philip II with a request to intercede for the offended deity. Philip faster than the wind, he rushed to Central Greece, effortlessly punished Amfissa and, unexpectedly for everyone, and even for his Thessalian friends, took possession of the city of Elatea at Cefiss, which was the key to Boeotia and Attica. All this was done so discreetly that the Athenians did not learn of the fall of Elatea before its inhabitants ran to Attica, bearing the news of the Macedonian advance.

At dawn, when the alarmed Athenians gathered for a meeting, a famous orator and demagogue Demosthenes proposed to send ambassadors to Thebes and persuade them to fight together against the invaders. There was no time to turn to other allies. The Athenians agreed and sent the ambassador himself Demosthenes . By his eloquence, he soon won the Boeotians to an alliance, and thus the two most powerful Greek states united for joint action. The Athenians put at the head of their army Charita And Lysikla , ordering them to follow with all their might to Boeotia. All the young people who were then in Attica volunteered to go to war with amazing willingness.

Through vigorous efforts Demosthenes , an old adversary Philip, and now also one of the leaders of Athens, an anti-Macedonian coalition was formed between a number of cities; through the efforts Demosthenes the strongest of them, Thebes, who were still in alliance with Philip. The long-standing enmity of Athens and Thebes gave way to a sense of danger from the increased power of Macedonia. The combined forces of these states tried to squeeze the Macedonians out of Greece, but to no avail.

Both armies united under Chaeronei. Philip at first he hoped to persuade the Boeotians to his side and sent them as an ambassador Python known for his eloquence. However, in the National Assembly Python was defeated Demosthenes , and the Boeotians in this difficult hour remained faithful to Hellas. Realizing that he now had to deal with the most valiant army that Hellas could put up, Philip decided not to hurry with the start of the battle and waited for the approach of the auxiliary detachments following the Macedonians. In total, he had up to 30,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. Considering his strength sufficient, the king ordered the battle to begin. , his son, he entrusted command over one of the flanks.

Armor of Philip II: iron, decorated with gold. Six rings, fixed in the mouths of lions, served to fasten equipment parts.

August 2, 338 BC e. the decisive battle of Chaeronea took place, which put an end to the splendor and grandeur of ancient Hellas. This is a battle during which the Macedonian king Philip II defeated the united army of the Greek city-states, happened in Greece near the village of Chaeronea in Boeotia, not far from Thebes.

"Waiting for the arrival of the allies, Philip marched into Boeotia with 30,000 infantry and over 2,000 cavalry. Both sides were eager to fight, but Philip had more soldiers and better commanders. On one flank, he put his son in command and with him the best military leaders, and he himself led the other flank, placing the units in place. The enemy had one flank of the Athenians, the other of the Boeotians. The stubborn battle lasted for a long time without a preponderance of any side, many died and the hope of victory inspired both sides. he was the first to cut through the enemy line, defeating many. The same success accompanied his comrades, so that gaps gaped in the continuous front of the enemy. I had to pile up mountains of corpses before I forced the enemy to flee. The king, for his part, first started a risky retreat, then put pressure on the enemy and forced him to run. More than a thousand Athenians fell in battle, at least 2 thousand were captured. Also, many Boeotians died, and many of them were captured.

Based on scant evidence Diodora And Polyena you can reconstruct the approximate course of events. Philip entrusted the 18-year-old to command the cavalry on the left wing, he himself led the phalanx. Knowing the fervor of the Athenians in battle, Philip decided to wear them down first. The initial position of the Greeks was advantageous, the river covered their flank on one side, the hill covered them on the other. By order Philip the phalanx closed ranks and, hiding behind shields, began to slowly retreat. This technique was worked out even in battles with the Thracians. The Athenians, shouting "Let's chase them to the heart of Macedonia," rushed forward. When the attacking army broke ranks and entered the plain, Philip threw the phalanx into the offensive. By this moment, the cavalry also broke into the gaps between the Greek detachments, and Philip there was an opportunity to surround the enemy. Dejected, most of the Greeks fled. The famous Athenian orator and politician also fled Demosthenes , whose efforts organized the anti-Macedonian coalition of Greek cities. After the victory overjoyed Philip arranged a feast right on the battlefield among the uncleaned bodies.

The defeated Greeks fled from the battlefield. Anxiety, almost turning into panic, seized Athens. In order to stop the desire to escape, the people's assembly adopted a resolution according to which such acts were considered high treason and were punishable by death. Residents began to vigorously strengthen the walls of the city, accumulate food, the entire male population was called up for military service, freedom was promised to the slaves. However Philip did not go to Attica, mindful of the unsuccessful siege of Byzantium and the fleet of Athens in 360 triremes. Having severely disposed of Thebes, he offered Athens relatively mild peace terms. The forced peace was accepted, although the words of the orator Lycurgus about the fallen in the fields of Chaeronea speak of the mood of the Athenians: “After all, when they parted with their lives, Hellas was also enslaved, and the freedom of the rest of the Hellenes was buried along with their bodies.”

On the spot, the entire selective squad (“Holy Squad”) of 300 Theban youths, who despised flight, perished. Enemies marveled at their stamina and gossiped that the bonds of brotherhood and the military prowess of the squad were sealed by male love. At the site of the battle, mourning Thebes erected a 5-meter marble monument depicting a wounded lion, and Athens sentenced its commander Lysikla to death.

Justin continues:

“To the Athenians, who showed particular hostility towards him, he returned the captives without ransom, handed over the bodies of the dead for burial, and even invited them to collect all the remains and put them in the tombs of their ancestors ... From the Thebes Philip, on the contrary, took a ransom not only for the prisoners, but even for the right to bury the fallen. He ordered the heads of the most prominent citizens to be cut off, others he sent into exile, and the property of all of them he took for himself.

From among the former Theban exiles, he appointed 300 judges and rulers of the state.

Philip sent his son to Athens to conclude a treaty of peace and friendship.

Plutarch gives an anecdote: when the Athenians, released without ransom Philip, also demanded back their cloaks and blankets, the king was not angry, but mockingly accepted the demand of the vanquished: “These Athenians imagined that they had lost a game of dice to us!”

In 1818, fragments of a giant lion erected by the Thebans at the site of the battle were discovered, and later the remains of 254 soldiers who died for the freedom of Hellas more than 2100 years ago were found there.

Philip II in Corinth, a congress of Greek states gathered and in the winter of 338/337. BC e. was proclaimed hegemon of the Hellenic Union in order to start a war against the Persians. About next steps Philip after Chaeronea best conveys justin :

« Philip determined the terms of peace for all of Greece in accordance with the merits of individual states and formed from all of them a common council, as it were, a single senate. Only the Lacedaemonians treated with contempt both the king and his institutions, considering not peace, but slavery, that peace, which was not agreed upon by the states themselves, but which was granted by the conqueror. Then the number of auxiliary detachments was determined, which were to be put up by individual states either to help the king in the event of an attack on him, or to use them under his command in case he himself declared war on someone. And there was no doubt that these preparations were directed against the Persian state ... At the beginning of spring, he sent three commanders forward to Asia, subject to the Persians: Parmenion , Amintu And Attala …».

Political system of city-states Philip left unchanged, and the proclaimed Holy Peace forbade them to interfere in each other's affairs. Moreover, for the triumph of the common Greek idea and the rallying of the Greeks, the Pan-Hellenic Union declared war on the Iranian state, appointing Philip II autocratic strategist.

Macedonia itself was not a member of the pan-Greek union, but the leadership of the armed forces of the congress, as well as the seat of its chairman, were assigned to the king of Macedonia and his successors, i.e. real power. Under the pretext of retribution for the invasion of 150 years ago, the Congress decided to start a pan-Greek war against the Persian Empire, and it was to be waged by Philip.

Sparta, who evaded participation in the alliance, was punished Philip II, who, having appeared in the Peloponnese, tore away a number of territories from her.

In 337 BC. e. Philip after he divorced his mother Olympics , suspecting her of adultery, unexpectedly took his niece as his wife Atalla young Cleopatra . As a result, a group of her relatives, led by her uncle, rises to power. Attalom . Offended Olympics went to Epirus to her brother, the king, and with her her son, first after her, and then to the Illyrians. Philip reached a compromise, the result of which was a return. Resentment of the king of Epirus for his sister Philip smoothed over by issuing his daughter for him Cleopatra .

In the spring of 336 BC. e. Philip sent to Asia a 10,000th advance detachment under the command of Parmenion And Attala and was going to go on a campaign in person at the end of the wedding celebrations in September 336 BC. when he betrayed his daughter Cleopatra marry brother Olympics .

The splendor of the holiday was to demonstrate to all Balkan subjects, Macedonians and Hellenes, the restoration of family peace, the splendor of the dynasty Argueads and power of the state.

Friends arrived at the feast in the ancient patronal city of Egi Philip and his associates, as well as envoys from all areas of Macedonia, Greek cities, Thracian and Illyrian tribes. The festivities continued for several days. The wedding feast was held solemnly, without disputes and disagreements. Hellenic actors performed, guests and messengers made speeches wishing happiness, gave golden wreaths. The climax of the festival was expected the next morning; the people had to take part in it. After the solemn procession, games in the theater were supposed.

Already at night, people rushed to the theater to take the best seats. A magnificent procession moved through the festively excited crowd. There were ambassadors, guests, the highest ranks of the Macedonian army. The participants in the procession carried the image of 12 gods, and with them a statue of 13 gods, proud and powerful Philip. Then came the courtiers, hetairos (among them, of course, Aristotle ); myself Philip. They were surrounded by royal guards.

The procession entered the theatre. Philip passed the gate; there were cheers. Philip went out to the guests, dressed in all white, like a deity. He deliberately left his guard at a distance in order to show the Greeks what confidence he had in them.

And at the pinnacle of success, when the welcome clicks rang in my ears Philip, suddenly, unexpectedly, he was killed by his Macedonian bodyguard and lover Pausanias , originally from Orestida.

One day Pausanias from Orestida noticed that the king began to get involved in another Pausanias and he turned to him with abuse, accusing him of being ready to lie under anyone who wishes. Holding a grudge, another Pausanias , warning in advance Attala , his friend, sacrificed his life, obscuring Philip in battle with Pleurium , king of the Illyrians, and thus accepted death.

Attalus , who was part of the inner circle of the king and had influence on him, invited Pausanias for lunch. After getting him drunk, he then handed him over in an unconscious state to muleteers to rape him in drunken debauchery. After Pausanias came to his senses, he, in a deep rage from the reproach, accused Attala before the king. The king shared his anger because of the barbaric act, but at the same time did not want to punish Attala both because of their relationship and because he needed services Attala .

Attalus was the uncle of the new wife of the king, in addition, he commanded the advanced army sent to Asia. Philip tried to dispel the anger Pausanias , richly endowing him and distinguishing him from other bodyguards. But he kindled his irreconcilable rage and vowed to avenge with his own strength not only the culprit of his humiliation, but also the one who did not order to avenge him.

Following your plan of revenge Pausanias left the horses at the city gates and appeared at the entrance to the theater with a Celtic dagger under his cloak. When Philip kindly let his friends into the theater, while the guards kept aloof, he hurried to the king, stabbed him with a dagger and, laying down the lifeless body, ran to the gate, to the abandoned horses. Part of the bodyguards rushed to the king, and the rest chased the killer. Pausanias I would have managed to jump on a horse and could have tried to escape if I had not tripped over a grape root. When he got up Perdiccas and others ran up and killed him with spears.

So died Philip who made himself the greatest king in Europe of his time.

After finding out the reasons for the murder, many believed that Pausanias was sent Olympics , and he himself was apparently not in the dark about the planned murder, tk. Olympics suffered no less from being rejected than Pausanias from your shame. It was believed that he was afraid to meet an opponent in the face of a brother born by a stepmother. They thought that and Olympics pushed in their approval Pausanias for the kill. They said that on the night of the funeral Philip Olympics laid a wreath on the head of the one hanging on the cross Pausanias .

A few days later, she burned the corpse of the murderer removed from the cross over the remains of her husband and ordered a mound to be poured in this place. Olympics she also took care to bring sacrifices to the deceased every year. Then Olympics forced Cleopatra , due to which Philip divorced her, hang himself, first killing her daughter in the arms of her mother. Finally, she dedicated to Apollo the sword with which the king was stabbed. She did all this so openly, as if she was afraid that the crime she had committed would not be attributed to her.

Researchers also pay attention to the figure who had both political and personal interests in the murder.