Philip of Macedon was one of the extraordinary figures of antiquity. Inheriting a kingdom near collapse, he left to his son Alexander the strongest state in Eastern Europe. He developed new military technology and made Macedonia the greatest power in the Western world. He created a united, multiracial kingdom based on liberal principles and added to it the resources of a Balkan empire. Most importantly, he inspired the city-states of the Greek peninsula to form a unified community, ensuring peace among its members, the rule of law in internal politics, and collective security in the face of agressors. No statesman in Europe had ever achieved so much. This book presents a narrative history of Hellenistic Macedonia from the state's rise out of obscurity under Philip to the accession of Alexander. Focusing on the character and career of Philip, Hammond discusses developments in military technology and strategy, the social composition and geography of northern Greece, and the region's political developments.
He also examines the world of the city-states, the nature of their democracies, their propensity for interstate warfare, and their development of capitalism, scientific methods, and philosophical ideas. With close analysis of the literary and material evidence, including interpretations of recent archaeological discoveries, Hammond offers a portrait of Philip as a Macedonian. Including illustrations of the frescoes and artifacts found in the Royal Tombs at Vergina in 1977, the book also reveals the culture and artistry of the Macedonian people who made Philip's success possible.
- ISBN10 0715626043
- ISBN13 9780715626047
- Publish Date 26 May 1994
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 21 December 2004
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Duckworth Overlook
- Imprint Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 224
- Language English