Born in 382 BC, Philip II was one of the most significant figures in Macedonian history. While he is most commonly recognized as the father of the renowned Alexander the Great, Philip also deserves recognition as the man responsible for the unification of a divided Macedon and creator of the most innovative and effective military structure the ancient world had ever seen.
The son of Amyntas III, Philip was taken hostage in Thebes at the age of fifteen, and over the next three years learnt much from the Thebans in regard to military structure and warfare, information which served him well over the length of his career. Upon the death of his brother Perdiccas III, Philip claimed the throne of Macedon and through a mixture of bribery and battle skill eliminated other pretenders to the throne who had gained Athenian and Thracian support. He went on to conduct a wildly successful series of military campaigns to reclaim and then expand the kingdom of Macedon which set the scene for the later conquests of his son Alexander.
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