King philip of macedon biography

(383-336)

Who Was Philip II of Macedon?

Philip II became Macedonia's leader in 359, and was officially its king by 357.

He used skilled military and diplomatic tactics to expand his country's territory and influence, and ended up dominating almost of all of his neighboring Greek city-states. He was assassinated in July 336, at the approximate age of 46, and was succeeded by his son, Alexander the Great.

Early Life

The son of Macedonia's King Amyntas III and his wife, Eurydice, Philip II was born in either 383 or 382 B.C.

After his brother, Alexander II, took the throne, Philip spent three years, from 368 to 365, as a hostage in Thebes. This time was well-spent, as it was in Thebes that Philip learned about military strategy from the work of Epaminondas, one of the greatest generals of the day.

First Years in Power

After Alexander II's assassination, Philip's brother, Perdiccas III, became king and brought Philip back from Thebes.

When Perdiccas was ki