The reforms of Philip II and the transformation of Macedonia Flashcards
Describe Macedonia before Philip.
- A largely feudal civilization that Ober describes as being in a ‘basic natural state’.
- A series of ruling families
- Isolated populations living in the outer mountains
- Alexander II only minting coins in bronze
- An abundance of natural resources (Timber, iron, gold and silver), (Diodoros 16) usage was ‘very scanty and insignificant’.
- Subject to outside influences that tried to exploit the poor state of the Macedonian rule
How did Philip’s youth prepare him for kingship?
He had spent a number of years in Thebes whilst they were one of the leading powers in Greece. He had learnt from the best with many of his later reforms being influenced by his time in Thebes.
When did Philip ascent to the throne?
360/59
What were the combining factors of Philip’s rule?
- Intelligent diplomacy
- Political marriages
- Bribery
Were his successes a result of his personality or of the 4th century crisis that had weakened the leading states of Greece? (Thebes, Athens, Sparta)
Davies (1993) - referred to Philip as one of the opportunists of the fourth century
Ober (2015) - Philip possessed many of the attributes that Thucydides had attributed to Pericles; he was a good diplomat, a superb managed of money and a bold strategist.
Diodoros (16.1.4): ‘by his own valour that he took supremacy of all Hellas’.
What were the main socio-economic reforms that Philip implemented?
1 - Transformation of the Macedonians from transhumant pastoralists to agriculturists. The extensive draining of fenlands and controlling of floods. Theophastus; plain of Philippi that had previously been covered with trees and swamps had been drained and brought under cultivation
2 - Policy of founding new settlements and spreading the Macedonians into Greek settlements - Krenides, for example.
3 - Exploitation of the natural resources - Mines of Laureion (357), Mines of Philippi (356) and the acquisition of the Mines of Krenides (356) - crucial for the bribes of Philip in the early years of his reign.
4 - Adoption of the Attican gold and Thracian silver standard
What were the main military policies implemented by Philip?
1 - Professional army, within a year of coming to power he had trained 10,000 foot companions and 700 cavalry - helped secure the border regions
2 - Implementation of Imperialistic strategies - Led to the acquisition of lands that could be given to leading families in turn for support and the centralisation of the government.
3 - Reorganisation of the armed forces - Split into regional units, light equipment of the foot companions and the introduction of Greeks into the companions
4 - Mass overhaul of tactics - changed from the ‘heavy cavalry beats light infantry’ approach (Ober) of the day
What did Alexander say the Macedonians had ceased to do? (324)
‘Macedonians had ceased to fear the barbarians on their borders’ - and came to live in the plains.
Cawkwell ‘drew them emotionally to the throne’
