Schoolcraft College

The Origins of Macedonia and Its Rulers

Sydnee Penrod

History 134

Professor McDonald

03 April 2023
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An important part of the history behind Macedonia would have to include Alexander the

Great and his father, Philip II, who were two of the most influential figures in the history of

ancient civilization. Their military conquests, political reforms, and cultural contributions left a

profound impact on Macedonia and the world around them took notes on their leadership skills.

I’d like to explore and discuss the influences that Alexander the Great and Philip II had on

Macedonia, highlighting key aspects of their legacies. With the two of them together, they had

changed the fate of Macedonia and what it would become in the future.

When speaking of military conquests, one of the most important impacts that Alexander

the Great and Philip II had on Macedonia was their significant military achievements. Philip II

had created a powerful Macedonian army and reformed the entire military structure, creating

what is known as the Macedonian phalanx, which became one of the most effective fighting

forces we know of in the ancient world.1 The Macedonian phalanx was a compact formation of

soldiers, typically armed with long spears called sarissas, and often heavily protected with armor

consisting of bronze helmets, greeves, shields, etc.2 He also expanded the overall territory of

Macedonia by successfully taking over neighboring land and cities, such as Thrace and Illyria.

Alexander the Great continued his father's military legacy and went on to conquer the Persian

Empire, Egypt, and even parts of India3, creating one of the largest empires in history to this day.

These conquests not only expanded Macedonia's original territory but also brought Greek culture

and ideas to the conquered lands, overall influencing the development of future civilizations.

Political reforms were another area where Philip II and Alexander the Great greatly

succeeded in, and became a huge influence on empires existing after the fact. Philip II ultimately

centralized the main government of Macedonia, creating a more efficient and or stable political

system that they could rely on. Prior to him, Macedonia was a not-so-organized confederation of
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semi-independent tribes. Philip II got rid of the power of the traditional noble families and

created a centralized council with officials appointed based on merit instead of birth or social

status. He also established diplomatic relations with other Greek city-states and formed alliances

that helped Macedonia to create more influence in the area. Along with that, he introduced

certain economic reforms aimed at promoting more trade and increasing revenue for the

city/state. He created a standard for the currency and made a system of taxation, which helped

fund his military campaigns, as well as allowed him to maintain a standing and strong army.

Alexander the Great continued his father's political legacy and implemented further reforms,

including but not limited to the integration of Persian officials into his government system and

the adoption of Persian court customs.4 These reforms enabled the administration of the vast

empire he had created, as well as the coexistence of different cultures and traditions.

Alexander the Great and Philip II also had a great influence on Macedonian culture.

Philip II supported the arts and patronized the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle, who actually

tutored his son, Alexander. Alexander the Great, in turn, spread Greek culture throughout the

lands he had taken over, establishing cities modeled after Greek city-states and encouraging the

combination of Greek and local cultures. This cultural exchange had a significant impact on the

development of future civilizations, more specifically Western ones, as Greek culture became the

foundation of philosophy, literature, and art. Macedonian cultural contributions also include the

Macedonian art style, which combined Greek and Macedonian elements and is said to be created

with intricate gold jewelry and metalwork. Greek and Macedonian art both share similar

elements, such as the use of naturalism in their paintings and such, as well as a focus on the

human form. These characteristics are shown in the sculptures, pottery, and other artifacts

produced in both regions.5 Alexander the Great actually had a statue made for him and is one of
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the most famous examples of Macedonian artwork. It was known as the “Alexander

Sarcophagus” and was in the shape of a stone coffin decorated with little sculptures showing

scenes from the life of Alexander himself.

Overall, Alexander the Great and Philip II had the most influence on the history of

Macedonia and ancient Greece when comparing them to other rulers, including shaping the

region's military, political, and cultural legacy it would eventually leave behind. Their military

expeditions expanded Macedonia's existing land and brought Greek culture to the conquered

lands, while their political reforms centralized the government and helped create economic

relations with other Greek city-states. Their cultural contributions, including the importance of

the arts and the combination of Greek and Macedonian cultures, had a lasting impact on the

development of future civilizations, mainly Western civilizations. Knowing and actually

understanding the influences that Alexander the Great and Philip II had on Macedonia is crucial

for learning about the broader historical and cultural context of the ancient world and the legacy

they left for future generations of empires and civilizations.

Works Cited

Nagle, D. Brendan. "Alexander the Great and the Conquest of the Persian Empire: A

Comparison with Napoleon Bonaparte." The Journal of Military History, vol. 79, no. 2,

2015, pp. 437-458.

This source compares the military campaigns of Alexander the Great and Napoleon

Bonaparte. Nagle analyzes the strategies and tactics employed by both conquerors, as well as the

political and social contexts in which their conquests took place. The article highlights

similarities and differences in the leadership styles, military technologies, and geopolitical

objectives of Alexander and Napoleon. Nagle also examines the impact of their conquests on the

regions they conquered and the lasting legacy of their military campaigns. Overall, the article

provides a nuanced and insightful comparison of two of the most significant military conquerors

in world history, shedding light on the complex factors that contribute to military success and

failure.

Heckel, Waldemar. "Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the Macedonian Heritage." Greece and

Rome, vol. 53, no. 2, 2006, pp. 164-182.

This source explores the legacy of the Macedonian dynasty and its impact on the

Hellenistic world. Heckel examines the reigns of Philip II and his son Alexander the Great,

highlighting their military successes and political achievements. He also discusses the cultural

and intellectual contributions of the Macedonian court, particularly in the fields of philosophy,

literature, and art. The article emphasizes the importance of the Macedonian dynasty in the

broader context of ancient Greek history, highlighting its enduring influence on the region's

political and cultural developments. Overall, Heckel's analysis provides a valuable insight into
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the significance of the Macedonian dynasty and its contributions to the rich cultural heritage of

Greece and the wider Mediterranean world.

Bosworth, Brian. "The Macedonian Empire: The Era of Warfare under Philip II and Alexander

the Great." The International History Review, vol. 23, no. 4, 2001, pp. 747-770.

The article focuses on the military and political developments of the Macedonian Empire

during the reigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great. Bosworth examines the strategies and

tactics employed by the Macedonian army, emphasizing the importance of innovation and

adaptation in their military campaigns. He also analyzes the political and diplomatic efforts of

Philip II and Alexander in establishing and maintaining their empire, and discusses the

challenges they faced in controlling their vast and diverse territories. Bosworth's analysis

provides a valuable insight into the complex and multifaceted nature of the Macedonian Empire,

contributing to a broader understanding of ancient Greek and Mediterranean history.

Sekunda, Nicholas. "The Macedonian Army under Philip II and Alexander III." The Journal of

Military History, vol. 61, no. 2, 1997, pp. 303-328.

The article provides an in-depth analysis of the Macedonian army during the reigns of

Philip II and Alexander the Great. Sekunda examines the organization and composition of the

Macedonian army, as well as its tactics and equipment. He also discusses the role of various

military units, including cavalry, infantry, and siege engineers, and the role of the army in the

broader political and social context of the Macedonian Empire. The article highlights the

strengths and weaknesses of the Macedonian army and emphasizes the importance of military

innovation and adaptation in the empire's military successes. Overall, Sekunda's analysis

provides a valuable insight into the military capabilities and strategies of the Macedonian
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Empire, contributing to a deeper understanding of the broader historical context of ancient

Greece and the Mediterranean world.

Endnotes

1. Nagle, 437.
2. Sekunda, 303.
3. Heckel, 166.
4. Bosworth, 750.
5. Heckel, 174.