- Under the reign of Philip II, Macedonia rose to great prominence and within a single generation was master of Greece
Conquest
- When Philip II came to power, Macedonia was a poor half-civilized country (forx example, it submitted to Persians during the Persian Wars)
- But with his brilliant leadership, he created the best fighting force in the ancient world
- Macedonia actively tried to destabilize Greek states
- For example, supporting colonies rebelling against Athens or interfering in politics
- Demosthenes spoke against Philip’s incursions, to this day, a speech that is in a violent opposition to someone is called philippic
- After meddling in the Sacred War, Macedonian army was stopped by the combining forces of Athens and Sparta at Thermopylae
- But that was only a temporary set back
- Macedonia continued to consolidate its power
Battle of Chaeronea
- 338 BC
- Macedonians under Philip against the Athenians and Thebans under Chares and Theogenes
- Macedonian victory
- Massive losses for the allies
Battle of Carts
- 336 BC
- First major battle led by Alexander the Great
- Macedonians defeated a rebellious Thracian mountain tribe
Siege of Thebes
- 335 BC
- The city was captured Alexander the Great
- Six thousand inhabitants of Thebes were massacred and the city razed to the ground
Macedonia slowly captured and united all of Greece. There were a few rebellions, but all were suppressed.
