After his accession to the throne in 359, Philip gradually secured his power base
in Macedonia, moved against neighbouring tribes in Thrace, Paeonia and IIlyria in
the east, north and west, and in 357 gained control of the strategic coastal city of
Amphipolis, formerly part of the old Athenian empire and still an object of Athenian
ambitions. In the following year he moved against the neighbouring city of Crenides.
Diodorus clarifes his strategy and methods.
This he enlarged by adding significant numbers to its population, and he changed
its name to Philippi, calling it after himself. He then developed the gold mines in
the area, which were hitherto very unproductive and of little importance, to the
point where they were able to provide him with an income of more than a
thousand talents. From these mines he swiftly built up his wealth, and he brought
the kingdom of Macedon to great preeminence through his abundant riches. For
he struck the gold coinage that was known as the Philippeios after him, and then
established a considerable force of mercenaries and also used the money to bribe
a large number of Greeks to turn traitor to their native lands.
(Diodorus Siculus, 16, 8, 6–7)After further victories against his non-Greek neighbours, the now undisputed
strongman of the north was invited by the Thessalians to assist them in a conflict
against their southern neighbours. Victory here in 352 established his power and
extended his influence in Greece. He had further victories in Thrace and then in 349
moved against his former allies in the Chalcidice, whereupon Olynthus, its leading
city, sought an alliance with Athens. Despite Athenian help, Olynthus was razed to
the ground and its inhabitants enslaved in 348. Athens was preoccupied with the
revolt of Euboea and unable to devote her dwindling resources to deal with the threat
to her interests in the northern Aegean. The Peace of Philocrates (named after one
of the Athenian negotiators) was concluded in 346 on the basis that Athens and
Macedonia should retain the territories of which each was in possession. With the
exception of the Thracian Chersonese, Philip now controlled the Aegean seacoast
from Thermopylae to the Propontis. His dominion on land extended from Thrace to
IIlyria, and included a substantial part of northern Greece.
Philip was a great commander, having reorganized the Macedonian army, and
exploited its new weapon, a massive spear called the sarissathat might have been
three times the length of the usual six-foot spear of the Greek hoplites. Polybius gives
a vivid description of the way it could be deployed in the phalanx formation.
There are a number of factors, which make it easy to understand that so long as
the phalanx retains its characteristic form and strength nothing can withstand its
charge or resist it face to face. When the phalanx is closed up for action, each manHISTORY 73