Show 71 - Mania for Subjugation

Philip II was a formidable king whose rise to power was marked by military innovation and shrewd political maneuvers, overshadowed only by his son Alexander's greater fame.

Philip II's Macedonian upbringing and royal lineage

Birth into a turbulent royal family

Born around 383-382 BCE into the turbulent atmosphere of the Macedonian court, Philip's life was destined for complexity. Known for a history filled with violence, assassination, and succession struggles, Philip's royal family was likened to a murderous soap opera. He was one of the three brothers who, in succession due to their royal bloodline, became kings, all meeting violent ends — one in wars and two by assassination. Philip's mother, Eurydice, was entangled in sexual and political scandals, and his father, King Amyntas III, practiced polygamy, which influenced the succession and Philip's ascent to power.

Macedonian heritage and royal complexities

Philip's Macedonian heritage set him apart from the southern Greek city-states, which often debated whether Macedonians were Greek. Nevertheless, Macedonians worked hard to assert their Greekness. Philip's upbringing in rugged Macedonian society, which valued toughness and hands-on experiences, likely played a role in defining his martial prowess. Complicated relationships within the royal family, involving infidelity and power machinations, have at times been compared to a mixture of a mafia crime family and a daytime soap opera. Interestingly, the Macedonian kings often intermarried with surrounding tribes, further complicating the royal lineage.

Philip's military reforms and the creation of the Macedonian army

Pioneering the pike phalanx

Philip transformed the Macedonian military, most notably by developing the pike phalanx, distinguishable by its longer spears, closer-packed soldiers, and deeper ranks. These innovations made the phalanx a nearly invincible force against traditional hoplite armies. Inspired by military ideas encountered during his time as a hostage in Thebes, Philip's Macedonian army became unmatched, famed for its professionalism and comprised of a variety of troops including the formidable companion cavalry, elite infantry, engineers, and light troops. All these elements worked together to form the so-called "Macedonian Maserati."

Superiority of the Macedonian army

The discipline and might of the Macedonian army, arguably the most effective in the world during its time, were amplified by Philip's leadership and strategic mind. Macedonians excelled in hand-to-hand combat, which was crucial given their tactical advantage over the less professional citizen militias of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian army's siege engineering capabilities were also revolutionary, allowing for the rapid capture of cities. Carlin highlights the controversial tactic of Philip's men possibly backing up during combat to destabilize the enemy, a maneuver still debated by historians.

Philip's strateg ...

Kaya Henderson, Dan Carlin, and other commentators provide insights into Alexander the Great's early life, showcasing how a combination of privileged background, strategic education, and family dynamics shaped one of history’s most iconic leaders.

Alexander's privileged but tumultuous upbringing

Alexander was the son of Philip II and Olympias, a Molossian princess whose exotic background and rumored involvement in mystical practices made her a controversial figure.

Alexander's parents, King Philip II and Olympias, came from distinguished lineages, claiming descent from Heracles and Achilles, respectively. Olympias, particularly, was noted for her formidable character, her participation in Dionysian mystery cults, and her exotic Molossian background. Her strong personality and unorthodox religious practices contributed to her controversial reputation, and influenced Alexander during his early years.

Olympias demonstrated her strong and proactive nature, and she wouldn't take a background role, suggesting she was a significant influence on Alexander. Her mystical and potentially witchy background, alongside her fervor for religious mysteries, likely shaped the prince's early worldview. Olympias is also responsible for setting up Alexander's first tutors, including the Melossian man who instilled discipline in him.

As a young prince, Alexander received an elite education under the tutelage of Aristotle and other prominent scholars, giving him a well-rounded intellectual foundation.

Dan Carlin describes Alexander's education, arranged by Olympias, as progressing from practical discipline to intellectual development. Alexander's first tutor was tasked with toughening him up, his second tutor taught him reading, writing, and the manners of a king, and his third and most famous tutor was Aristotle. The philosopher personally educated Alexander and his friends in a wide array of subjects, ranging from ethics to zoology, providing a well-rounded foundation.

Philip II, understanding the importance of education for his son, offered to rebuild and repopulate Aristotle's hometown as a part of convincing him to become Alexander’s tutor. Under Aristotle’s guidance, Alexander studied subjects such as ethics, politics, and philosophy — knowledge that he would use effectively in his future conquests.

Alexander's early military and political experiences

At age 16, Alexander was entrusted by Philip to serve as regent of Macedon while his father was away on campaigns, gaining valuable leadership experience.

When Alexander was 16 years old, his formal education came to a halt as Philip II appointed him as regent, giving him early exposure to the responsibilities of rulership. During this period, Alexander handled an insurrection to the north of Macedonia, demonstrating his capability in both leadership and military matters.

Alexander distinguished him ...

The assassination of Philip II remains one of history's intriguing mysteries, with several theories and much speculation surrounding the circumstances and motivations behind it.

The events leading up to Philip II's assassination

The period leading up to Philip II of Macedon's assassination was fraught with personal and political tensions.

Philip II's second marriage and the ensuing tensions

The marriage of Philip II to the young Cleopatra, which could have caused tensions with his first wife Olympias and his son Alexander, is often seen as a pivotal moment leading to his demise. Kaya Henderson mentions Olympias's rumored involvement in mystical practices, heightening the tensions after Philip found a serpent beside her, leading to a loss of affection. This superstitious and tumultuous backdrop could reflect on the stability of his court and potential motivations for murder. Philip's love-struck marriage to Cleopatra, portrayed as a midlife crisis by ancient sources, further complicated domestic matters and might have had political underpinnings aimed at securing support from influential Macedonians.

Philip's competitive relationships with his various wives and his daughter's politically charged wedding to Alexander of Epirus, to consolidate alliances before the campaign against Persia, also set a complex scene for rivalries and intrigues.

Alexander's legitimacy and the rift with Philip

At a wedding drinking party, Attalus, Cleopatra's uncle, made a provocative toast wishing for a legitimate Macedonian heir, leading to a public altercation with Alexander, who felt his legitimacy was being challenged. This infamous incident caused a sizable rift, and Alexander, along with Olympias, temporarily left Macedon, further straining the father-son relationship.

Theories about the motives and conspirators behind Philip II's assassination

Theories about the assassination range from family involvement to external political machinations.

Family involvement

Dan Carlin and others have noted the potential for Olympias and Alexander to be involved in or benefit from the assassination. The rift following the drinking party incident suggested a direct link between family tensions and the killing. With Cleopatra's marriage potentially sidelining Olympias and Alexander for regency roles, there might have been incentives for them to act. Plutarch's accounts of Olympias honoring Pausanias after the assassination fueled further suspicion of her involvement.

Other factions

External factors cannot be marginalized. Carlin discusses the possibility of Greek city-states orchestrating the murder to reclaim their freedom from Philip's rule. There were also concerns about the Persians, who stood to lose significantly from Philip's military campaigns and might have seen his death as an opportunity to incite Macedonian internal conflict.

The assassination's choreography

The killing itself has been suggested to be highly choreographed, with Pausanias' motives linked to both a personal vendetta and possibly wider conspiracies. Pau ...